For example, on routes where you sometimes pass through rough rocky areas and carry heavy loads, such as tent traversing in the Northern Alps, full-scale climbing boots can be used to withstand tough terrain and weight.
The Grand King series is Caravan , and is designed to accommodate technical and harsh mountain climbing. This time I had the opportunity to try out one of these shoes, the GK88 , so I would like to review them from various angles, combining them with the differences from the boots I've worn so far.
When it comes to caravans , many people may be familiar with it through C1_02S (commonly known as Caravan Shoes) Grand King , it is a model for traversing mountains by a long-established manufacturer, so few readers may immediately understand what kind of boots they are.
However, after walking around Okuchichibu and Nasu-dake with these boots for about a month, I realized how supple and comfortable they are comfortable to wear, which you wouldn't imagine from their rugged appearance. Anyway, I'll be reviewing it right away.
table of contents
- Main features of Caravan Grand King GK88
- Main Specifications and ratings
- Detailed review
- Fit and comfort: While authentic climbing boots, it combines a soft, comfortable fit with a solid hold
- Protection & Durability: Reliable reinforcement that can withstand strong impacts and abrasions
- Performance: It is easy to step on unstable rocky areas, and is not easily shaken, and even on flat ground, making it a good balance that does not compromise walking.
- Summary: A pair of shoes packed full of "justice" that can only be achieved by thinking about Japanese feet and the mountains of Japan.
Main features of Caravan Grand King GK88
The Grand King GK88 is a high-performance mountain boot that combines comfort and stability to accommodate a wide range of mountain climbs in snowless seasons, from forest zones to technical rock ridges and long-term traverses. The upper structure is highly robust and durable due to sufficient reinforcement, but the improved last has been improved to improve fit and hold, and the shoe racing structure reduces stress, providing a comfortable fit. The high-cut design around the ankle, shallow cut through the Achilles tendon, provides high support and allows for more natural walking. The midsole is designed to make walking easy without compromising rigidity, and the outsole, which is designed to brake, step on, and climb on tough terrain, make it safe even when traveling on unstable terrain with heavy loads. This pair of shoes combines the comfort and ease of walking with the protection and stability of alpine boots in an exquisite balance, making them useful in all alpine and harsh mountain climbing during the snow-free season in Japan. The easy-to-use price range is also a big attraction.
Recommended points
- Upper construction provides excellent fit and hold
- Highly durable enough to withstand strong impacts and abrasions
- Shoelace structure that is less likely to loosen and makes it easy to adjust the tightness of the shoe.
- Ankle circumference combines cushioning, support and mobility
- Outsole that combines grip and durability
- The included half insole allows for subtle size adjustments
- Surprisingly high cost performance compared to competing models
Points that interest me
- Depending on the purpose and purpose, it may be "short for a belt and longer for a sash" compared to the specialized models of trekking boots and authentic Alpine boots (it is slightly softer for a genuine Alpine boot, and slightly heavy for a trekking boot for low mountains).
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Caravan Grand King GK88 |
|---|---|
| Official weight | Approx. 682g (26.0cm one foot standard) |
| upper |
|
| Midsole |
|
| Outsole | Vibram TSAVO (midsole: EVA) |
| Waterproof and moisture-permeable | GORE-TEX |
| Sales price including tax (as of 2025/06/25) |
29,700 yen |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Fit & Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Protection & Durability | ★★★★★ |
| grip | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of walking while walking heavy loads | ★★★★☆ |
| Climbing Appropriate | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed review
Fit and comfort: While authentic climbing boots, it combines a soft, comfortable fit with a solid hold
The hardest thing about trekking shoes is that no matter how well they are functional, if they don't suit your feet, they won't be of any use. Therefore, no matter what shoes you wear, the most important thing is to choose the right size for you.
Different sizes from caravan shoes (it's important to try fitting them in an actual store)
the caravan shoes (C1_02S) I reviewed the other day , I felt a bit lax with the US9 (27.0cm), which I usually choose from overseas brands, so I chose one size lower (close to the actual size of my feet). As a result, it was perfect for the field, and I thought it would be better to lower my size by one size than usual for a caravan.
However, just to be safe, I also tried fitting this Grand King ( GK88 ) at the store, and as this model is based on the previous 3E last, it has a more three-dimensional design that gives it a more three-dimensional fit, so the 26.5cm, which was perfect for the last caravan shoes, felt a bit cramped, and the usual 27.0cm was just right.
It is common for the same manufacturer to have different fittings depending on the model, like Caravan Shoes and Grand King, so we once again see that it is important to actually fit in the store and check them out, rather than assuming a general idea that this brand is narrow or wide.
It doesn't tighten too much, but it gives a firm hold that evenly wraps around the entire foot
Unlike relatively lightweight and moderately soft trekking boots like caravan shoes, solid mountaineering shoes for traversing the Alps are inevitably due to the awkward feeling of wearing due to the thick, hard upper, which is a pain to wear. In this regard the GRAND king GK88 is first surprised by the soft touch when you put your feet in and the comfortable fit that snuggles up all over your feet, despite its bulky look.
The base is a 3E end that is gentle on the feet, with a wide and high instep, which is said to be common in Japanese people, so the basic comfort is loose. However, GK88 's base last design features a new last design that has been revised and fine-tuned three-dimensionally, from the toes to the instep and the sides around the Achilles tendon, making the overall fit even better, and it combines a no-constriction and a reliable hold.
This is not the hold that holds the sides of your foot, which is common with narrow shoes, but rather the image of it fitting comfortably to "envelope the entire foot" and fixing the entire foot, allowing it to free from the unnatural tightening.
The three-dimensionally calculated last that wraps around the entire heel and supports the Achilles tendon area improves fit
The large toe space is widened to ensure enough room for toes to move, and the design is very gentle on the Egyptian style (the toe with the longest thumb and a gentle curve from the index to the little toe), which is said to be common among Japanese people, including myself. Of course, your toes won't get clogged even while you're down the slope, so you can continue wearing them comfortably.
By subtly expanding the space in the big toe area of the toe, it provides a relaxed toe movement and a stable feel to land.
Of course, with this class of mountaineering boots, it was necessary to get some getting used to wearing them on the first day, but after that, each time I put them on, they gradually become more comfortable with my feet, and no scratches or any signs of discomfort when walking quickly disappears. The weight of approximately 682g (standard for one foot of 26.0cm) is a good enough weight, and it is not too heavy.
Half insoles are included to allow for exquisite size adjustments
Just like caravan shoes the GK88 comes with a half insole that allows for fine adjustments to the perfect size. For people like me whose left foot is nearly 1cm shorter than my right foot, I bought a size that fits my right foot and inserted this half insole only for my left foot, and adjusted the fitting to the right side to give it a perfect feel. I am very grateful for this detailed consideration.
A fully cushioned insole and a half insole for adjusting the size are included as standard.
A safe and comfortable ankle circumference with cushioning, injury prevention, and ease of movement of the ankle
What's even more amazing is the construction around the ankles. First of all, the inside of the tongue and collar are highly breathable and cushioned pads, making them extremely soft to the touch, and there is no rubbing while walking, making them extremely comfortable to wear.
The opening pads are comfortable, and the highly breathable fabric makes it very comfortable
In addition, pads are carefully inserted into the upper part of the heel, and the three-dimensional shape of the heel cup for a high-fitting fit makes the heel fit perfectly.
Pads are also firmly placed inside the Achilles tendon, making the heel fit very well.
The ankle shape is maintained sufficient height from the front to the sides, while the bold cut design at the back where the ankle bends does not hinder free movement. While flexion in the lateral direction, which is a risk of injury, is firmly protected, the degree of freedom in the front and back direction is not overstated, but is almost as high as when wearing caravan shoes. Not only is it comfortable and safe when worn, but it also makes it comfortable to walk.
The bold cut of the Achilles tendon behind the heel improves mobility when walking
Shoelace structure that is less likely to loosen and makes it easy to set the tightness.
Another factor that creates this exquisite fit is the shoelaces system, and the structure allows for two levels of tightening on the top and bottom with one shoelaces, which helps to adjust the delicate fit.
First, the lower part from the toes to the instep is tape racing, with shoe holes that fit easily with the feet and a high fit. By locking it with a hook on the instep, you can determine how tight the forefoot is.
The tightening level can be fixed from the toes to the instep, allowing you to tighten the ankles firmly and loosen the foot itself.
From there, there is a tape racing hole that can be tightened to the deep part of the ankle, which flexibly supports ankle movement while keeping your feet in the correct position inside the shoe. It prevents your feet from falling forward even when you are on the way down. The entire boot is firmly secured with two hooks on the top ankle, but the tightness here has little effect on the tightness of the lower instep, so it is possible to tighten, for example, to tighten the instep to a tightness, while tightening the ankle firmly.
The hooks located at the ankle position are hammered against the microfiber parts, making them a great hold.
Protection & Durability: Reliable reinforcement that can withstand strong impacts and abrasions
With 1.6mm suede leather and rubber reinforcement that covers the outer circumference over a wide area, the GK88 is protected at all without worrying about rubbing or thrusts on rocky areas. The toe bumper structure with the outsole raised to the tip makes it thick enough to moderately absorb impact.
During the test, I repeatedly hit and rubbed my toes and heels against the rocks as I walked, but for now it remained unharmed except for the dirt, giving me a sense of security that it was strong enough to withstand even the toughest mountains in Japan.
On the other hand, the tongue and the ankle are made of durable synthetic fibers, ensuring a certain degree of breathability, and this balance is also well considered.
The integrated shoe tongue has excellent fit and waterproof properties, with synthetic fibers to ensure breathability.
Performance: It is easy to step on unstable rocky areas, and is not easily shaken, and even on flat ground, making it a good balance that does not compromise walking.
When walking along rocky ridges over 2500m, including the Alps, carrying large luggage, it is ideal to have shoes that land as unshakable and difficult to slip, while still being smooth and easy to walk. However, up until a few years ago, stability and ease of walking were forced to form a trade-off relationship, and the reality was that such ideal shoes were rare.
However, it is a blessing to have been the evolution of tools, and it can be said that this has now been overcome to some extent. In particular, this GK88 has a strong impression of its excellent stability, high support, and excellent balance of ease of walking.
All of the courses I walked on the test were initially a slightly flat forest zone, with an off-road mixing with soil, roots and pebbles, but despite its the GK88 responds flexibly to the movement of the soles of the feet and ankles.
The sole is naturally quite harder than caravan shoes, but it is still soft enough to flex to some extent when you put your weight on your toes, so there is less awkwardness from landing to stepping on, and I felt that it is a very easy-to-walken shoe for this level of climbing (photo below).
When you press and bend the sole, trekking shoes like the caravan shoes (right) are relatively easy to bend, but the GK88 (left) is so rigid that it doesn't easily bend.
On the other hand, when you go out onto the ridge and pass through the ups and downs of large rocky areas, you want a hard, stable sole that is not affected by unevenness, but even in that case, the moderate rigidity of the boots provided a scaffold that is less likely to shake and does not slip. Of course, the GORE-TEX liner provides a high waterproofness up to the ankles, so there is no need to worry about crossing the stream or remaining snow (photo below).
The GK88 grips firmly on a wide range of terrain, including rock-filled mountain trails (top left), wet and slippery surfaces (top right), puddles and streams (bottom left), and tree roots and soil trails (bottom right).
Especially in scenes where you put your feet on a large rock, the ease of bending of the ankles comes into play. Thanks to the free ankle movement and the flexible and stable sole, both were able to get through without any difficulty.
I felt that the perfect balance and versatility of these boots are the perfect balance that allows them to walk comfortably on flat roads and through rocky ridges
By the way, the stiffness of the sole is clearly softer than authentic Alpine boots and winter boots that can be used with one-touch crampons, so models with stronger alpine elements are more likely to have a strict route that requires you to stand in the fine holds of the rocky ridge. In that sense, the most attractive feature of these boots is that they can be used to walk around the rocky ridge, which is an extension of trekking, comfortably and smoothly.
This ease of walking is possible only when functions applied to each part, such as the high-fit and flexible upper structure, the high-density EVA midsole that combines cushioning and rigidity, and the durable yet non-slip Vibram outsole that is durable yet tacky, and in that sense, the GK88 has a wonderful balance.
When considering the mountains of Japan, this good balance is not biased towards either comfort or walking stability, which is the most widely covered, and can be said to be an attractive feature that boots from overseas brands do not have.
A lug pattern that takes into consideration the ease of mud removal and traction in all directions. The arch of the foot is also uneven, making it less likely to slip on round wooden stairs.
Rubber is not too hard or too soft, with a great balance of grip and durability
The toes make it easy to grab hold on rocky areas, and the heel has a zone that allows for strong braking, improving safety when stepping on or landing.
Summary: A pair of shoes packed full of "justice" that can only be achieved by thinking about Japanese feet and the mountains of Japan.
the GK88 is that many Japanese people are authentic mountain boots that carefully stack the designs and functions necessary to walk the widest range of tough Japanese mountains in the most comfortable and safest way possible. This pair of shoes combines the strengths of ordinary authentic alpine boots with the strengths of light trekking boots in a balanced way, and is suitable for a wide range of people, from tough climbers to beginners who are trying to step up.
Not only is it comfortable to spend a long summer traverse of the Alps, but it also fits perfectly on day trips to intermediate mountains that pass through a wide range of terrain from the forest at the trailhead to the peak of the rocky ridge, making it ideal for those who want to combine stability and walking with technical terrain.
Last but not least, it's surprisingly affordable even when compared to competitors from other brands. If I were to be in the mountain club at the school now, I think I would definitely recommend new members of the club to be the only option. Or, if you'd like to try a full-scale traverse of the Alps, but you have many new equipment you need to stock and you can't spend much on each one, this pair of shoes will surely be your best ally.
Please consider a paid membership that will allow you to support Outdoor Gearzine while enjoying limited articles and limited events!
