reviews by Tony Lourens
Mountain footwear has certainly evolved in leaps and bounds over the last few decades and particularly the last few years. Although one can still find those stiff and hardy full grain leather boots, most people today want instant gratification and opt for the more modern padded boots, which need little or no ‘walking in’ at all.
During the last decade or so, research and development, new materials and manufacturing technology have allowed for really good, robust and high performing shoes and boots to be manufactured with the latest and strongest materials, making comfort, durability and performance a very high priority.
Two such boots are the Wayroute Futurelight mid-boots and the Vectiv Exploris Futurelight mid-boots which come out of the TNF stable.
The first thing I do when reviewing a boot is wear it around the house for a day or two, from morning to night. It is the best way to judge the all-important mixture of comfort and fit, which work hand in hand. A shoe can feel really comfy when first putting them on, but this can change after a few hours of use, as you may find a hotspot against one of your toes, or the construction may give you tired (or sore) arches, or you may even find that a stitched inner seam is rubbing uncomfortably somewhere.
The next test is to take the boots on the hill. Fortunately for us, we live right on the edge of the Langeberg Mountains in Montagu, with trails, ridges, kloofs and excellent climbing on our doorstep. Behind our house we very conveniently have the Cogmanskloof Trail – a 4-hour hike, which involves some quite rough and rocky terrain over a 450-metre-high buttress. The perfect test.
Wayroute Futurelight mid-boots (men’s)
The first thing you notice when you put on the Wayroute boots is the weight, or indeed the lack of weight. They are super light and your feet feel like feathers. The comfort and padding of the uppers and the cushioned, shock absorbing properties of the sole, are also very evident and it is clear that these boots are ready to go – no walking in needed! I wore them for two full days around the house and hardly noticed I had boots on!
The padded ankle-high uppers give good support on the trail, and the lacing system cinches up high on the boot, adding extra support. The breathable lightweight fabrics regulate temperatures really well, keeping your feet cool on those muggy days.
Not only is the boot made with an internal waterproof membrane and also incorporates seam sealers, what I really liked is that the tongue is connected to the body of the boot with a gusset which comes practically all the way to the top, which stops water entering through the lacing system, ensuring a high degree of waterproofness.
On the trail I really liked the cushioning of the sole. It makes for a very comfy ride, but equally important for me is the stickiness of the rubber of the sole. I scrambled up some steep rocks and also walked down some steepish slabs to test the friction, and I found the grip and traction quite impressive, and the lightweight rand around the toe box gives added protection against a rocky trail.
Having said all this, the Wayroute would not be my first choice for heavy duty trails, or harsh approaches and scrambling, but that is not what it is made for. The Wayroute is the perfect hybrid boot – excellent for lightweight hiking and semi rough terrain and also perfect for cross-over urban use, like popping straight up the hill after work for a few hours, or indeed to wear casually around town. It scores top marks for comfort!
Specification
Upper: Performance mesh with abreathable-waterproof FUTURELIGHT™ membrane
Footbed: Lightweight, breathable OrthoLite® technology
Grippy sole – rubber compounds that deliver superior grip, traction and durability on slick surfaces
Cushioned, shock-absorbing comfort over long distances
Gusseted tongue
Integrated midfoot-support harness and ghillie lacing system
Weight per pair: 662 g
RRP: R2999
www.driftersshop.co.za
Vectiv Exploris Futurelight mid-boots (women’s)
The Vectiv Exploris is another contender for taking the prize in the super lightweight and comfy category. Very similar in feel and performance to the Wayroute boot, the Vectiv is also ready to go straight out the box.
Sporting abrasion-resistant Cordura uppers and Ripstop Mesh, and a reinforced ankle and heel outer rand, the Vectiv definitely comes across a bit more durable and hardy. And it also has a good and protective rand along the side of the boot and over the toe box.
It is constructed with the same breathable waterproof membrane as the Wayroute, giving good ventilation all round, and also has that soft nubuck leather inner with a gusseted tongue reaching high up the boot. And its padded uppers and cushioned shock absorbing midsole ensures maximum comfort for many hours along the trail. The lacing system also reaches high up the front of the boot, which makes for easy regulating of the tightness around the ankle.
The sole also passed the “sticky” test, which is one of the more important tests! The generous lugs give excellent traction on rough trails and the compound has enough friction to keep your confidence high on rocky scrambles.
Like the Wayroute, the Vectiv is designed for lightweight hiking and it does a great job in this category. It is also snazzy and sexy enough to go to your favourite hangout downtown!
Specifications
Breathable-waterproof FUTURELIGHT™ membrane
Integrated, protective heel overlay
Mesh collar with molded details provides additional ankle support
Single-density 3D TPU plate underfoot helps with multi-directional stability
High-rebound, single-density EVA foam midsole tuned for women
Surface Control™ rubber sole optimised for hiking
4 mm lugs for good traction
Weight: 692 g
