Review of the first caravan shoes "C1_02S & C1_DL MID" in 30 years of climbing: Stop eating and trying it out, and was enveloped in a kindness that I had never experienced before.

Speaking of "caravan shoes," these trekking shoes are extremely famous as pioneers who have supported many climbers for many years since the dawn of Japanese mountaineering culture.

Although these classic shoes are actually quite common, despite having been involved in mountain climbing for over 30 years, I have never worn them properly and walked. Of course, I've been to my feet before, but when I was just starting out as a student when I was just starting to do mountains, I didn't have any money and ended up getting away with cheap products from a home improvement store, and even after I became a working adult, I was far from familiar with it, and unfortunately I hadn't experienced it in the sense that I was able to wear it properly.

Of course, it's not that there was no reason to pass each other. Without being afraid of being misunderstood, it cannot be denied that caravan shoes have secretly had the image of them wearing them in the past, such as "something that they would wear by people with wide feet (it doesn't suit me)," and "the design is somehow unspoken" (this is a terrible statement). But honestly, I'm not the only one who has that image.

That's when I finally got the opportunity to make my debut as a caravan shoe. This site, which has worn many mountaineering boots up until now, has been invited to review it. He said he would like people like him to try wearing them because of preconceived notions.

This is a boat ride, so this time we will be wearing the latest caravan shoes, the C1_02S C1_DL MID which was developed based on it, to the fullest extent and delivering reviews.

What are the differences between mountaineering shoes that are "made for the Japanese" compared to Western trekking shoes that I have often worn up to now? And what exactly do you think of the "old-fashioned" image that I have been thinking about up until now? I'll start an honest review of these two types of mountaineering boots.

Main features of Caravan C1_02S / C1_DL MID

Caravan C1_02S , commonly known as "Caravan Shoes," are light mountaineering shoes that were developed in the past by the Japan Mountaineering Association Manaslu climbing squadrons, which took the long journey to base camp. These trekking shoes, which began with the development of a prototype in 1952, have revived after a single suspension and have continued to evolve to the present, and are synonymous with mountaineering boots for Japanese people.

Based on the three-dimensional last (wooden mold) that is tailored to Japanese feet, the half insole can be included to allow for subtle adjustments to the fit. We thoroughly pursue comfortable fit and ease of walking, including the forefoot that is easy to wear and easy to walk, and the high-cut ankle area that combines soft, high cushioning and ease of movement of the heel. The midsole is equipped with EVA foam, which has excellent shock absorption properties, providing a soft feel that won't get tired even when walking for long periods of time. The outsole uses an original Caravan Trek sole that provides grip even on rough roads, reducing the risk of slipping even on rough roads such as wet rocks and muddy.

Meanwhile the C1_DL MID is a lightweight mid-cut hiking shoe designed to accommodate lighter activities while maintaining the comfort and walking performance of caravan shoes. The upper is made of thinner, breathable mesh material while maintaining sufficient protection, providing a flexible and light walking feel.

The midsole combines a thin EVA foam with moderate cushioning and a 3D stability part that suppresses twisting and shake across the entire sole of the foot, and is lightweight yet stable and shock absorbing. The outsole also uses an original LITE sole that combines lightness and grip, making it a balance between comfort and lightness taken into consideration in every detail.

Both models have waterproof and breathable performance thanks to the GORE-TEX liner, and are weather resistant and stuffy for outdoor activities, making them suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities, from day hiking during snowless seasons, hiking in mountain huts, and classic climbing to active speed hiking.

C1_02S favorites and interesting points

Favorite points

• A gentle fit with no tightness
• Luxurious padded ankles with exquisite cushions
• A spacious forefoot and toe box
• Half insoles with individual adjustments for the left and right
• High ankle mobility
• Excellent grip even in muddy and rocky areas
• Reliable and durable with good leather reinforcement
• Lots of colouring
• Beginner-friendly price

Points that interest me

• Enough protection and trade-off weight

C1_DL MID's favorites and interesting points

Favorite points

• The soft and comfortable lining makes it comfortable to wear without any stress
• A comfortable toe box with moderate room toes
• Half insoles with individual adjustments for the left and right
• Flexible and flexible, allowing for delicate foot movements even when riding speed
• Highly stable midsole
• Highly durable against lightness

Points that interest me

• The ankles are too wide and lacks hold around the heel
• The outsole lug is slightly low and lacks grip in deep mud

Main Specifications and ratings

Item name	C1_02S	C1_DL MID
weight	Approximately 590g (26.0cm standard for one foot)	Approximately 420g (26.0cm one foot standard)
color	100 Grey, 125 Ash, 262 Dessert Sandwich, 340 Amber, 670 Navy, 941 Black Silver	100 grey, 190 black, 578 khaki
upper	Mesh polyester/synthetic leather (toe guard/TPU reinforced)	Polyester mesh/TPU (toe + heel foam TPU sheet reinforced)
Waterproof liner	Gore-Tex® Membrane	Gore-Tex® Membrane
Midsole	EVA midsole (light frame insole board) Insole cushion system	3D stability parts EVA midsole (extra light frame insole board)
Outsole	Caravan Trek Sole	Caravan original LITE sole
insole	EVA insole	Highly vent heel unit insole
Ladies model	Unisex (C4_03 model is also available for women)	Unisex
Low cut model	—	◯
Reference price (tax included)	￥20,900	￥18,920
Outdoor Gearzine Review
Comfort	★★★★★	★★★★★
weight	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
grip	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
protection	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Cushioning	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆
Stability (support)	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
Cost Performance	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Suitable activities	During the snowless season, a general route from low to alpine mountains, climbing mountains with luggage that can only be found on a day trip to a hut.	Active hiking, including regular routes with low mountains and low rocky areas, from day trips to day trips and overnight luggage.

Detailed review

Introduction: Don't assume that "wide (they say) shoes don't suit you."

One of the biggest reasons I've been avoiding these shoes for a long time was the preconceived notion that wide shoes don't suit my feet. Caravan shoes sometimes show the width of the foot, called "3E," and I felt that it had nothing to do with people with narrow to normal foot width.

This was based on simple experiences, such as when I tried on the shoes in a store, I thought that brands that were generally said to be narrow were more suitable (and I thought), and on the other hand, when I wore shoes that were considered wide, the usual size felt loose.

So, when I reviewed this time, I couldn't help but feel any concerns, such as, "Isn't caravan shoes a shape that doesn't suit me in the first place? I wonder if I wouldn't be able to review them correctly?"

However, there is actually a major pitfall to this, and we did not check whether were really narrow wide as a result of fitting correctly " or " Was the only reason why it didn't fit was a problem with a wide foot circumference? ", but it is merely based on subjective impressions and speculations.

So, I decided to take this opportunity to measure the exact size of my feet again, so I decided to use the "FEET AXIS (Foot Shape Measurement Service) powered by SafeSize" that is being held at Super Sports Xebio.

This service is the latest foot shape measurement service that allows you to measure your foot shape three-dimensionally by simply riding on a dedicated measuring device, and measure the exact length, width, instep height, and arch of the foot on both sides for free (requires registration with the app) for just a few seconds (app registration required). The results came out within an hour after the measurements. Then the results were surprising.

According to measurements, my feet were not only wide and high insteps overall my left foot was particularly wide. Furthermore, the length of my left foot was nearly 1cm shorter than my right foot (I've noticed this a little before this...), and I never knew it was rattling down to my feet width and instep height...

In any case, this result showed that it was almost certain that my foot shape was medium to wide (high instep), and that my feet were not a problem even when wearing caravan shoes.

Furthermore, this result can be said that "it is not something that can be used to judge whether your feet are wide or narrow." Human feet have long feet, circumference, height of the instep, height of the arch, and toe shape, as well as many subtle differences in shape, and it is not possible to determine whether a shoe "fits or not" just by width of the foot. It's quite possible that it's not right and right like you do, but it's not right. In other words, it is important to try and match any type of shoe, rather than just trying to eat it.

Fit and comfort: I can't believe it's this much... Exceptional comfort and gentleness for your feet

Of course, it's recommended to try wearing it and match it with the size.

Now, finally the main topic. First, I'll start with the impression I had right after putting my feet in, but I noticed that the size of the shoes I've seen was different from those of previous overseas brands.

For Western brands I used to wear frequently up until now, I was a US9 size of about 27.0 cm, but that felt a bit big. So I tried matching it with 26.5cm and it fits the size better than I'd worn before. If I had chosen the same size without thinking about anything, I might have said, "It's wide! It's bigger!" Of course, some people may not need to make these adjustments, but if you are planning on wearing them, it would be a good idea to keep them in the back of your mind as an example.

There is no sense of tightness. Comfortable to wear gently and comfortably on the entire foot

Caravan shoes are generally said to be "beginner-friendly" shoes, but to be honest, I couldn't imagine why there were so many opinions like that before I tried them on.

However, when I put my feet in, I was able to feel this immediately. In many ways, he's just " gentle ."

Not only are heavy, thick leather climbing boots, but even traditional climbing boots are also the fabric that doesn't fit when you first start wearing them, so there's a feeling of "fitting your feet against the shoes," but caravan shoes have the exact opposite of that feeling. C1_02S / C1_DL MID do not feel unnaturally pressed or tight in the part of the shoe, and the upper wraps around the foot evenly to match the curve of the foot, making it feel as if the shoes fit the foot.

The toe box is spacious and spacious, so it doesn't feel cramped. The ball of the big toe or the side of the small toe ball does not hit, and the fit is maintained to allow the toes to move. However, this does not seem to make your feet move inside the shoes, but rather it moderately enhances the hold to the necessary areas. The reason why shoelaces are made from flat strings that are easy to tighten rather than durable round strings is probably intended to give them a sense of hold. By the way, the eyelets are made of alloy and are not easily broken, while the C1_DL MID is made of fabric and is made of light.

I've heard that the last (wooden mold) of caravan shoes "purposes a shape that fits easily with Japanese feet," but after actually wearing them I finally realized what it means. Is it something that fits so well?

The half insole allows for fine adjustment of the fit individually. I'm very grateful for the different sizes on the left and right sides!

No matter how well a pair of shoes fits you, it can be quite difficult to get the perfect fit even if it's not the right size. Moreover, if the size difference between the left and right sides is not small like you do, it is not possible in the first place unless it is completely made to order.

was half insole that came with it

This is a thin insole in only the front half from the forefoot to the toe, and by inserting it, it fills the space in the forefoot and allows for individual and subtle fitting of the left and right sides.

In my case, when I put this half insole on my left foot, which has a short length, I feel like the fit between the left and right sides has become even more balanced. This is difficult to understand what the correct answer is, as each person has different feelings, but in any case, it is certain that by being able to adjust it yourself, you can adjust it in a wider range of shoes.

Soft and gentle lining for a comfortable feel (C1_DL MID)

The C1_DL MID particularly impressive, and it felt more relaxed than ever before. C1_02S , which is suitable for Japanese people, so the fit of the foot is still as good as ever, but the upper fabric is softer and stretchy, and the surface of the lining is softer to the touch, making it a very comfortable feel. The entire shoe is flexible and flexibly follows the movement of your feet, providing you with a comfortable fit.

Luxurious ankle pads (C1_02S)

For C1_02S The luxurious pads are soft and snug, all around the ankles and tongue, so there is very little rubbing or pressure when walking, and there is almost no discomfort during hiking. The tongue is also high, so you can rest assured that pebbles and wood debris are difficult to get in from the outside.

C1_DL MID may cause some concerns about loose ankles

That's why I was even more concerned about the looseness around the ankle from the C1_DL MID The high ankle mobility isn't bad, but it cannot be ignored that it is so loose that it feels unsatisfied with its hold and stability.

For this reason, I decided to change the insole with a third-party heel with a high hold power, and was able to adjust it to a very good fit, so this stress can be relieved to some extent by customizing it in my own way. However, this is only for mid-cut models, so the low-cut models have not been confirmed.

Ease of walking and performance: C1_02S resistant to rough roads, C1_DL MID with excellent propulsion and distinctive personality

I felt the comfort of the flatlands quite well, and then from April to May, I actually walked around nearby low mountains and medium and high mountains with remaining snow on my day trip.

C1_02S has an excellent balance between protection, stability and ease of walking

C1_02S was originally designed for an approach to hiking in Himalayan mountaineering, and as a prerequisite, it is designed to provide safe protection and stability even in high mountains. To confirm this, the boots were firmly rimmed with thick resin and leather reinforcements, protecting their feet from sharp rock corners and tree branches, and there was no need to worry about damage to the shoes themselves.

Despite this heavy protection, I couldn't help but feel the "kindness" of the walkability, which was so easy to walk from.

The medium-thick EVA midsole absorbs unevenness on the road surface, preventing it from thrust into the soles of the shoes, allowing for flat, stable steps. It absorbs the impact of landing and supports comfortable walking on uneven terrain. It also makes it so smooth that you wouldn't expect from a sturdy high-cut boot, and the toes flex flexibly without any resistance.

This features a detailed design that cuts the back of the ankle slightly lower. This allows for both sides to maintain support while achieving both flexibility when walking. It didn't have the stiffness and awkwardness that you would imagine from its appearance, which was typical of old mountaineering boots, so it allowed for lighter and smoother walking than you might think.

Incidentally, the upper on the forefoot is partially mesh rather than entirely leather, which contributes to making it easier to walk in and also improving breathability.

However, it would be a lie to say that the trade-off between this robustness and comfort is that the shoes themselves are slightly heavier (for day hiking boots). It's not a concern when you're conscious of a reliable step at a time, but it's inevitable that the more you try to move quickly, the more you can't ignore this weight.

Light and soft, yet stable C1_DL MID

On the other hand C1_02S , the C1_DL MID has a structure that focuses on speedy walking ease, making it more like sneakers than mountaineering boots. The thin, flexible upper responds to quick and delicate movements, and the polyester mesh material makes it breathable.

Even when I bent my toes thoroughly, the C1_DL MID was smooth and had little resistance, and I was able to take action quickly from a strong step on without any stress. However, if you the C1_02S , it will be bent almost equally, and thanks to the mesh fabric on the toes mentioned above, it is a fairly flexible type of mountaineering boots.

The midsole uses a thin EVA foam that combines lightness and cushioning, and by layering hard 3D stability parts on it, this prevents excessive twisting and gives you stability when landing. This combination gave us a high level of shock absorption and stability that allowed us to land and step on a stable basis, despite the light and thin sole shoes.

C1_02S is suitable for slow speed and reliable treads on rough roads, then the C1_DL MID has the impression that it has excellent propulsion when moving sideways quickly on relatively mild trails.

However, the necessary areas are reinforced with foam TPU sheets, so I didn't feel any concern about damage even on rough roads.

The outsole is an impressive C1_02S that is perfect for slip resistance even on extreme rough roads, and C1_DL MID that is lightweight yet has a balance of propulsion and grip.

The test is just the season when the snow melts. Some walked over the remaining snow, while some tough (for a test) trails were tough (good for testing). Overall, it was a fairly slippery trail, but both models showed a sense of security that could be said to have a thorough understanding of Japanese mountain trails.

The C1_02S is a compound with moderate tenacity and a lug pattern with deep, wide grooves. It was able to get through the mud even in the mud and the brakes were constantly working, providing stable grip.

This outsole is a "Caravan Trek sole" used from the early model "C1" series released in 2008. It is said that the company has created a new caravan trek sole by mixing the good points of the mountain design and the design that is designed to be directed towards flat land. The only way to achieve the "easy walking" and "stable" of caravan shoes is to create an original product, so the outsole was also developed for this shoe to match the end.

When I asked about the development of this original outsole, I found that the balance was calculated down to the smallest detail so that the ground contact area is larger than for technical mountains, and that it can accommodate tougher terrain than for flat land. The complex rug pattern thus completed actually gave us a sense of grip and stability in all directions on uneven terrain and rough roads except for full-scale rocky ridges, including mountain trails mixed with soil and gravel.

 

On the other hand, the C1_DL MID seems to focus on how to make it lighter as much as possible, while being conscious of forward propulsion and brakes, and grip in all directions. Perhaps because it is a shallow rug, I didn't feel that it was particularly resistant to rough roads, but on the other hand, it was very versatile, making it easy to walk (run) and stop on any terrain that left an impression on me.

In addition, both boots have a gusset tongue upper (photo below), which combines the reliable GORE-TEX liner with a shoe tongue and shoe upper, so you can walk without straining even if there is a puddle, and also prevents gravel and pebbles from entering.

Summary: A partner with a deep pocket that can abate all the stress and damage when walking and accept everyone

Through testing, I was reminded once again that there was a solid reason why caravan shoes have been accepted as long as a long-seller.

The gentle comfort combines an exquisite balance of fit and roominess with an exquisite foot shape and fine adjustments, keeping you away from the various discomforts and stresses that occur when walking while climbing for a wide range of climbing.

was for beginners to climbing before I actually wore it , so I honestly thought of it as a sloppy thing, but that was completely wrong. If you wear the caravan shoes in a tight fit and the right size, everyone should be able to experience a comfortable fit that is stress-free at all times.

Furthermore, this time we not only have the high level of the classic C1_02S , but the newly added lineup of the C1_DL MID also adds a comfortable fit from caravan shoes to speed-ready, making it a perfect pair of shoes that are attractive enough for new hikers.

I would recommend this to those who have been disliked by caravan shoes after hearing about it. You'll probably experience the same eye-opening as I do.

Caravan C1_02S / C1_DL MID details and purchase

For product details, please also check the respective official online shopping sites

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