Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

This is a provisional review as I've used this shoe on a few dayhikes, some scrambling on local crags and an overnight.

I like them a lot---good support, excellent breathability, great sole and in many respects they feel like Hardrocks with a higher cut---but with better rubber. They are not so approach shoe oriented as the Montrail CTC, lacking it's Gryptonite rand and beefier sidewalls but it makes up for this by being a more ventilated shoe. The mesh uppers seem to dry out pretty quickly, an attribute I value. The higher mid ankle cut offers some degree of support that will be appreciated both in rugged terrain and on long thru-packs. The stretchy collar helps to keep debris from getting into the shoe. Some people may not like it's relative tightness but it's a matter of personal taste, I think.

Not an extremely wide toebox, in the seemingly new Montrail way, but well protected. Heel counter and box lovely for my narrow heels. Materials seem well choosen for both lowish weight and good durability.

I will be using them a lot on my longer distance UL fastpacks and I expect them to do very well for my brand of often off trail, light mtneering oriented kind of trips. I will follow up on this review later in the year---but I think that the Outdoor equipment media has for once, gotten it right with their laudatory reviews.

18.6 oz. a shoe (men's size 12)

Update--6/23/07. Gawd, I love these shoes. I just got back from a fast 21 mi. fasthike of a portion of the PCT in my backyard, fieldtesting some new gear. They are so comfortable--no hotspots and my ankles felt so securely cradled (for a mid-top shoe of such lightness). They definately get to go on my off trail mega-trips this year. I feel like getting another pair (or 2?) to safeguard against unavailibility or from being discontinued...

Edited by kdesign on 06/23/2007 16:44:06 MDT.

Rating: 4 / 5

These boots were purchased for my John Muir Trail hike this past August and early September. I bought them through REI on sale for $69.00. Regular retail is presently $100.00. I was just a tad doubtful about their ability to provide sufficient support for my 190 pound frame and the additional 25 pounds of gear. Over the course of the following 15 days all doubts were erased and they have become the most comfortable hiking boots I have ever stuck a foot in and this conclusion was reached hiking over all types of trail and some off-trail. I never felt a lack of cushion or protection for my feet and the boots provided as much torsional rigidity as some of the heavier duty boots I have owned. The main goal was a feather weight boot. The lightweight Namches provided complete achievement. In case the message isn’t clear, I really like these boots!!!

However the manufacturer has incorporated a couple of really stupid and somewhat asinine design features. Instead of using lacing hooks for the top one or two lace eyes the manufacturer has left the owner with having to leave ample slack when lacing the boot to allow fingers and hands enough room to poke around and finally find the top lace hole to lace up the boot. The hole is not readily apparent in the black colored lining of the boot. This produces no small amount of frustration in the early morning especially when it is not fully light out I am already behind schedule. At least one set of hooks could have eliminated this problem and two sets would have provided ease in lacing up the boots.

Another feature makes absolutely no sense. The Namche has a covering of super-fine mesh around the sides of the boot which keeps at bay most of the sand and trail dust. This is good. But Montrail left this mesh off of the top of the boot from the toe back to the bottom lace and the sand just pours in through this exposed area. I fail to understand why this part of the boot was not covered as well. By covering the top, the foot would be somewhat protected from trail detritus at no cost to circulation and breathability. As it was I had to periodically, when on sandy trail, stop and empty the sand that had poured in through this exposed portion of the toe.

All in all, this is a fine boot and, with the above suggested modifications, could be an all time great boot. It is super comfortable and provides great support.

Post Script: after the posting above I read again Kevin’s evaluation and, like him, considered going out to buy and extra pair to protect against unavailability. This boot is so comfortable that I suffered absolutely no blisters or hot spots over 15 days of all day hiking. Instead I am going to wait for Namche, version two, with above manufacturing defects corrected or purchase an imitation from a quality competitor.

Edited by johnk on 09/21/2007 09:39:47 MDT.