Lems Boulder Boots review

Tristan

Barefooters
Sep 15, 2011
1,855
2,761
113
45
Ohio
I meant to post a review some time ago, but I don't think I ever did a thorough review. They generated some buzz when they first came out and a few seemed pretty happy with them, but a little to pricey for me. Then they had a sale (I think it was black Friday a couple years ago) and on top of the sale the 'gravel' color was on clearance, $50. That was worth a chance so I went ahead and ordered even though I wasn't thrilled with the white colored boots.

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I mainly had winter use in mind for these, so I ordered them the next size up so I could fit some decent socks in there and hopefully still be roomy. The color scheme grew on me, especially for a winter boot it seemed to fit right in with snow. Not a color to wear around the barn or in muck and mud though!

First thing I did was toss the insoles. They could be useful for a bit added thermal protection if your were out in sub-zero temps but I haven't had an issue and I think I've been sub-zero if not pretty close. The soles are a bit thicker than your average minimalist shoe at 10mm so you really don't need any more cushion even on gravel. But don't let that thicker sole trick you, it is a nice flat sole not to rigid and not too squishy, I think it's just right. Even a super thin sole diminishes your groundfeel significantly, and once you get over a couple mm there really isn't much groundfeel left regardless of brand, at least in my opinion. If you think you must be able to distinguish blades of grass underfoot this will not do. But if you want a nice flat sole with no arch support and plenty of width, this might be what your looking for. For just casual wear and some quick errands I'm not to worried about a little groundfeel. It does have a minuscule amount of toe-spring, I haven't met a factory made shoe that didn't yet anyhow. The construction is of flexible nylon, with some unknown more durable material around the edges (I think it's leather). The liner is cotton, nice feeling but probably will wear out long before the rest does. The sole wraps up a bit on the outside of the boot to make it look thicker that it really is. Almost looks like a regular boot minus the heel, but the sole isn't really that thick. I like this for a boot though, gives me an inch or so of slush I can walk through before it starts getting on the more permeable parts of the shoe. A nice loop behind the heel aid in pulling these on, though I dislike the standard lace eyelets, I think any boot with that many eyelets should be equipped with the style that allows the lace to pull easier or come off entirely, I forget what they are called. They are shaped nicely for me, the side of the big toe is pretty straight right out to the end (doesn't curve back inward like so many others) and it's a pretty blunt end so the toes can fan out nicely. I'm not sure just how wide of a feet these will take but mine fit wonderfully. They are flexible with no real structure, and very light too for boots, mine measure 20oz for the pair of size 44.

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I pretty much have only worn these during the winter when I need some warmth. And always with socks. I've taken them sledding with my son and his friends where we were out for a few hours in pretty cold temps, I had thin wool socks on, no problems. Good for running quick errands. I wear them to get to work when I have to walk through a bit of snow or slush, then either switch to dress shoes there during dayshift or just take em off for nightshifts.

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Yeah, I even ran in them! Okay, might look a little odd in tights. Actually that image is when I forgot to bring my running shoes on a day that was snowing and cold. I had packed my clothes but forgot my shoes. I usually have a few pairs of various shoes in the truck and these where among them, I picked them over sandals and VFFs (just not warm enough in deep snow). They actually worked just fine for a few miles of running. In fact I think I like them better for snow running than the Lems Primal running shoes I just recently got. They don't have an aggressive tread, but some tread none-the-less. I also chose these once before when my Soft Stars where to slippery in icy conditions, the tread on these was a big improvement over the smooth Soft Stars. Not sure if I'll make a habit of running in these in the winter, but I like them better than many other minimalist running shoes, probably all but my Soft Stars (which are too slippery in slick conditions).

I posed in them for a few more casual winter shots with the boots, enjoy!

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A light layer of snow doesn't seem to soak through at all but I doubt these are very waterproof in wet snow and deep slush. I'm curious if crampons, microspikes or other traction devices would work well with this boot for some hiking, but I have not tried yet. Most of my hiking is in shorts weather. I also wonder for some serious winter hiking if these could be made waterproof by siliconing them, but again have not tried, just ideas.

So in summary, I really like these boots! Light, flexible, flat, wide toe box, enough rubber up the sides to afford you some trudging through snow and slush. The regular price on them is a bit much, but most smaller company minimalist shoes are pricey, nothing new there. American owned and operated small company, but factory made in China unfortunately. Most are, nothing new again. Now also available in leather... I assume they are a bit stiffer of an upper to them. I would really like to try the leather ones though. If it was the super soft leather like Soft Star uses would be nice.
 
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I got those for the California "winter" and I agree with everything Tristan says here. They ended up being pretty good with all the record rainfall we had. Despite the fact that they aren't waterproof, there was only one occasion where I had to let them dry out before wearing again.
 
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Well with the very mild and short winter we had here I might have already put my Boulders away for the year! I've often thought about trying them on a hike, but I'd much rather get a non-white colored one for off roading! Maybe next Thanksgiving when they have their big sales going on.