Comparison review: Comparing lightweight hiking boots perfect for day trips and fast packing
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
Detailed reviews of each item
Comfort
No matter how light and non-slip shoes you may have, you won't be able to walk comfortably unless they are comfortable to wear. Needless to say, comfort is an important factor when choosing shoes no matter what type of shoes you are, but when you're talking about the comfort of your shoes when hiking on rough mountain trails for a long time, many factors actually affect this. Therefore, in this comparison, we roughly examined the comfort of hiking boots from the following three angles, and evaluated the overall comfort level.
- The fit and comfort you feel when you put your feet in and tighten the shoelaces
- Impressed on the soles of my feet when I walk, resistance from kicking off to landing
- Breathable and waterproof during activity
Before commenting, I would like to first give a basic premise: I have tried out the 10 pairs of shoes at the time of picking up, so I would like to point out that all of them are above a certain level of comfort when they are put in. the La Sportiva SYNTHESIS GORE-TEX SURROUND was the most comfortable overall .
The Sportiva upper is not only breathable but also has excellent fit.
The nanocell technology upper is one of the thinnest and supple materials in comparison. The mesh-shaped resin wraps around the entire foot and holds it, so when the shoelaces are tightened, the tension does not bias towards a part, resulting in a uniform, comfortable fit (hold). The cord lock type shoelaces are easy to tighten and loosen and extremely easy to use. The IMPACT BRAKE SYSTEM with the Vibram outsole has a slightly deeper lug and a slightly softer rubber, providing high shock absorption. Above all, the ventilating system throughout the shoe, which makes use of GORE-TEX SURROUND This feeling was not something I could experience with other models.
Another notable thing was the Salomon X ULTRA MID2 GTX which uses SENSIFIT . The hold that wraps around you from both sides of your feet makes use of the know-how of trail running shoes, and the shoes are incredible, giving you a high hold that is comparable to running shoes. The montrail SIERRAVADA MID OUTDRY which has excellent fit and cushioning the adidas TERREX FAST R MID Gore-Tex which has a comfortable hold and high ankle cushioning and mobility, are also found to be just as impressive as the above.
grip
Unlike paved flat roads, grip is the ability to walk steadily under a variety of conditions, including terrain, condition, climbing, and descent. With excellent grip, it is difficult to slip when landing, and when kicking off, you can safely and strongly convey the force you stepped on to the ground. It's simple to put it in words, but looking at the outsoles (sounds) of each model, none of them have the same shape, and none of them can have a perfect sole in any case. For this reason, each model will design the most effective materials and patterns that each model considers, while considering balance between durability and weight.
In this comparison, in addition to a general test of up and down the peak scuffs and varied courses from the lower forest area, we also conducted a test of climbing and descending wet monoliths at the same time and at the same location. Wet rock surfaces are one of the terrains I find most uncomfortable with for hiking boots with a lot of soft soles, but what was interesting was that as expected, while many models struggled with slipping down smoothly (the one with the waist in the photo below), there was a clear difference in ability, with only a few of them almost slipping and providing stable grip.
The grip strength test on wet rocky areas was conducted using a wet granite monolith near the waterfall basin on the way to Mt. Okuchichibu.
Despite the light and soft sole hiking boots, the two featured excellent grip even on slippery rocky areas: THE NORTH FACE Ultra Fastpack II Mid GORE-TEX and the VASQUE Inhaler II GTX which used Vibram MEGAGRIP . MEGAGRIP is by no means a soft material, so it is less comfortable (cushioning) than other rubber outsoles. However, while the other boots were unable to withstand the gravity of the heavy load and were sliding one after another, we firmly grabbed the wet rock surface, allowing for stable foot movements as usual. the Adidas Continental Rubber and Montbell trail gripper showed a fairly stable grip . On the other hand, except for these four legs, unfortunately, on wet rock surfaces, there was a risk that they would immediately slip away if they hadn't placed their feet carefully.
Other than these special terrain, none of the models is particularly obviously dangerous, but considering how easy it is to walk in overall road conditions such as gravel, mud, and wooden paths, it can be said that THE NORTH FACE Ultra Fastpack II Mid GORE-TEX and Montbell Lapland boots were the most capable of kicking the ground in the air.
Four outsoles were excellent grip this time. From left, VASQUE Inhaler II, THE NORTH FACE Ultra Fastpack II, adidas TERREX FAST R, mont-bell Lapland boots
Stability
When considering ease of walking on a variety of terrain, the stability of boots is closely related to grip. Simply put, how can your feet not shake or twist without requiring unnecessary force or load to impacts applied to the soles of your feet? Unlike running shoes that run empty-handed, this is an increasingly important element in heavy-duty activities such as mountain climbing. This time, we will mainly evaluate stability based on two aspects.
First of all, the 10 pairs we chose this time are mid-cut models that are fixed up to the nearest ankle, so the ankles are more fixed, so it can be said that they are already more stable than low-cut hiking shoes. However, the height, material, shape, and tightness of the ankle area differs greatly from model to model, so even if it is a mid-cut, the stability and security of the ankle differ greatly depending on the model. The first point in assessing stability is how effective the construction of the heel and the ankle is.
The fixation force around the ankle is generally determined by the material and structure around the ankle and the height from the insole of the heel. The two high right sides have high fixed force and stable, while the two left sides are less easy to run than the two.
Another important factor when considering stability is stability. Common climbing shoes have a hard core material called a shank inside the shoe, and the shoes do not distort even when you place your weight on a rough, sloped ground, allowing you to place your feet on the ground stably, even if you have heavy loads. On the other hand, many hiking boots are basically intended for quick action with light clothing, so the sole (shank) is soft and easy to bend, with priority on lightness and smooth leg movement, and shoes tend to bend easily and less stable. Therefore, in this comparison, we evaluate whether stability is not sacrificed due to its lightness and leg movement, or whether the balance between the two is maintained.
While flexible shoes are easier to walk in, they are weak to thrusts from the ground, and the more heavier the more tired they felt.
the mont-bell Lapland boots were the most highly rated in terms of stability this time . The shank plate, which has deep enough, thick ankle support and moderate rigidity, was the least likely to twist out of this time, and was extremely stable. However, it is undeniable that if you step quickly and rotate your legs faster, your support will tend to get in the way. , the La Sportiva SYNTHESIS GORE-TEX SURROUND low ankles and extremely soft shanks , making it extremely comfortable to carry around with the legs, but its stability was not flattering. Outside of these extreme models, the adidas TERREX FAST R MID Gore-Tex is worth noting. It shows that it is a very balanced item with a high level of comfort and stability, with an irregular ankle (easy to move on the back and a highly supportive side) and an unexpectedly firm shank.
weight
After arranging the sizes and measuring the weight again, the lightest model was the La Sportiva SYNTHESIS GORE-TEX SURROUND . This was predicted to some extent due to its high comfort and low stability, but the THE NORTH FACE Ultra Fastpack II Mid GORE-TEX , which maintains grip and stability, does not lose its lightness at 434g. However, as long as the shoe is restricted to less than 500g per shoe, there is no doubt that all of the models this time are the lightest among mountaineering boots, so you won't be too nervous about the difference in points between this item.
protection
Here we evaluate the strength from external obstacles, such as protection of toes that are prone to painful hits and durability against friction and tear. In the first place, although it is generally a weakness for hiking boots, which are rarely expected to be used for harsh terrain such as rocky ridges or for long periods of more than a few years, there are still excellent models that are well-built.
Mont-bell Lapland boots remain lightweight, but the shoes are reinforced with suede leather, giving you a sense of sufficient protection. Other TECNICA TCROSS MID SYN GTX , adidas TERREX FAST R MID Gore-Tex , and Salewa HIKE ROLLER MID GORE-TEX are reinforced with hard material to protect the toes that are likely to be hit by accident.
summary
This comparison has made many new discoveries, such as fluffy, not easy to walk in, light and thin, and Vibram doesn't mean you're safe, and I feel like I've once again realized the depth of the mountaineering boots. Although the 10 pairs in comparison have a difference in scores, as far as I actually wear them, all of them are quite comfortable to walk in. I think this ranking may vary depending on the purpose, preferences, and leg strength of each person.
Furthermore, complaints about fit, hold and cushioning can be greatly resolved by providing your own insole (footbed) super feet are essential for the optimal suspension for me In addition to this report, we hope that you will also be able to combine these additional parts to find the perfect shoe for you. Finally, I will introduce the articles I have published so far about choosing shoes for Outdoor Gearzine, so if you're not satisfied, you should also read this.
