Some Smart Booties

The kind folks at Fitness Footwear sent Peter a fab pair of Solomon hiking boots and asked him for his opinion...

Guest post by Peter Hase

As the father of two young adult males, I know to my cost and dismay the high fashion and “pose” value of the training shoe industry. So it was with an eye on the crocodile, swoosh and three stripes that I opened the box from Fitness Footwear to reveal the two-tone grey and orange highlights of my new Salomon hiking boots. That said, to my eye, first look was attractive, functional and very well made.

In terms of technology, these are some impressive Gore-Tex boots with moulded inner-sole and grips that would challenge a Range Rover, so I was again impressed by the construction.

So how do they feel to wear? Very good indeed. I wore these shoes during the late December southern snows and then up in Edinburgh during New Year (including a trip round the Borders) and they were superb. The high lace of the boot design means that they can get a little tight on your calf but that also inspires confidence in that they do not slip. These shoes have awesome grip. They are fantastic when faced by compacted snow, ice or any other adverse terrain – very much a shoe that can be trusted on a hike.

And they stayed warm and dry. I did not need any special socks or other means to keep out the wet from snowy Hogmanay streets, with the ability to enter into an enthusiastic jig in no way impaired.

The brand is a specialist one, hence the name is not a fashion statement – perhaps the orange is an attempt to carve out some recognition – but that is a small price to pay for such quality, comfort and an overall feeling of secure walking – tested in somewhat adverse conditions.

Summary Scores on the doors: -

• Look and Design -  4
• Technology and Quality – 5
• Pose Value – 3
• Comfort – 5
• Grip and Durability – 5
• Ability to deal with Scottish Blizzards and Ice – 5+

Comments

[Phyllis Stein]

My dear Gabrielle, you know how to cut to the quick don't you? Sadly, you're absolutely right and I feel very left out, lonely and dejected. Why doesn't anybody love me? I even went in to Flip-Flops R Us in Queensland but they were not interested! Oh, the disappointment...

[Gabrielle]

Oh Phyllis, you are just jealous that no one asked YOU to review anything. Of course, where you live, all you wear is a pair of flip flops I'm sure.

[Phyllis Stein]

It's amazing the lengths people will go just to get a free pair of shoes!