TREKKING
Product 2019
Man
The Boreal Tempest is a hiking shoe that exists in two models, Mid, ankle-high, and Low. We tested the second model in different conditions, hiking, climbing approach in the mountains, and in an urban setting.
For starters they are good looking shoes, so trendy to wear in town (except to the ambassador’s dinners).
They are comfortable, a good fit thanks to the all over envelopment that keeps the foot well-embedded inside the shoe. The lacing completes the solid foothold, it is precise and the thick, comfortable tongue sits well on top of the foot to protect it from the shear effect of lacing. On the other hand, for narrow feet (there’s no women’s model, which are usually narrower), you cannot adjust the lacing tight enough.
When out and about the shoes are very stable, they absorb torsional movements. We tested them in scree, the worst for twisting an ankle. They were perfect, you feel at ease, you master foot placement, although you know that it is always better on this kind of terrain to have Mid-high shoes. They are stiff, especially when new. They soften a little over time, but still a little rigid, which is an advantage on stony trails on difficult terrain.
In town, urban trekking on the other hand, is not quite as comfortable, but the shoes foot strike and the good sole cushioning make it possible to walk for miles and miles on the bitumen without any problems. The sole is made of Vibram Borealis, a hard compound, with aggressive lugs: they have excellent grip on dry ground. You can even climb on easy rock without difficulty. Ditto on wet ground, the shoe grips well. They are tough and that’s one of the qualities we really liked about these. We did a lot of trips with this model, on all kinds of terrain for six months, and there are no signs of wear and tear, neither on the sole nor on the upper. The front rubber reinforcement rises up well over the top and sides, which provides good toe protection, and of the shoe itself, the front being the area most exposed to direct wear.
The heel is well reinforced. It offers good protection and excellent performance. In terms of waterproofness and breathability, the Sympatex Moisture Tech material works well. In strong heat, your feet don’t cook inside them, and they resist the rain well.
The Boreal Tempest, with its compact all terrain ergonomics, are very good walking shoes, multi-activity, loyal to what the manufacturer indicates. They are relatively light, robust, with a good overall finish. At a reasonable price, they are a good long-term investment. For mountain trekking it is better to wear the Mid version, which provide even better complete foot protection. The low version is perfect for the city, climbing approach steps and easy hiking.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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