During high school and college I spent a good deal of time in Israel, much of that time was spent walking and hiking. A pair of heavy leather boots were my constant companion. The need to travel light, along with airline baggage limits, means the days of traveling with heavy boots is over. That’s where Lems Boulder Boots come in.
At just 9.9oz for the men’s size 43 boot (obviously the weight will shift in one direction or the other as sizes go up or down), this lightweight packable boot is designed for the person who wants to travel light but still bring along a pair of supportive boots. You might not want to actually wear the boots onto the plane since the relatively high and tight uppers make getting the boots on and off a bit of a chore. (Do we REALLY still need to remove our shoes when boarding a plane?) But the boots are light enough and packable enough that putting them into your carry-on or check luggage should not be an issue.
Here’s what Lems has to say about the Lems Boulder Boot:
“Weighing a mere 9.9oz (Mens size 43), the Boulder Boot is arguably the lightest boot in the world. The upper of the Black Boulder Boot is made of 1200-denier nylon and is 100% Vegan. The whole boot is completely collapsible, great for stuffing into a pack during a hike and wearing around the campfire afterwards. There’s absolutely nothing to this boot, no heel counter, no shank, and nothing stiff that would irritate the foot. If a barely-there boot is what you’re in need of, look no further.”
In some cases the statement that, “There’s absolutely nothing to this boot, no heel counter, no shank…” might be a negative. In this case however the things the boot lacks not only means there is “nothing stiff that would irritate the foot” but they also mean the boot is light, breathable and easy to pack.
Upper: Made from 100% 1200D Nylon
Sole: 9.0mm LemsRubber injection rubber
Insole: Removable 3.0mm MoistureWick
Lining: 100% Cotton
The removable insole is a big deal for someone like me since I always wear a pair of orthotics. I initially put the orthotic on top of the insole. It works just fine but I found the boots even more comfortable once I removed the insole and simply inserted the orthotic in it’s place.
In the FAQ portion of the Lems Boulder Boot product page the company makes clear the fact that these boots are not waterproof. This was, it turns out, a conscious choice. As they explains,
“We chose to leave out a waterproof membrane because they sacrifice breathability. The upper is treated with a DWR water-resistant coating. When this begins to wear off, we suggest treating the nylon and leather with a spray on Scotchguard, Nikwax, or something similar.”
As a result the boot is not only light, packable, and comfortable, but it also breathes nicely as you wear it. If you are hiking in the desert you will find this to be a key advantage of the boot.
While I have not worn these boots for hikin — yet — I have worn them around town quite extensively and have become a fan. The black color is understated, the boots are comfortable, they offer good support and they are light. What more could you ask for from a pair of boots that are just beginning to come along on your next trip? Check out the $105 boots and all of Lems other products here.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the Lems Bounder Boot
What I Like: Light; Breathable; Packable; Comfortable; Supportive
What Needs Improvement: Not waterproof; Challenging to get on and off