I’ve been wearing my LEMS waterproof Boulder boots for a few months. I ordered true to size and at first thought oh no I messed up and I should’ve listened and went up a half size. But after just a few weeks of daily wear at work (many 12 hour shifts) they have stretched to a perfect fit. I like them so much, I’m ordering another pair in black/Shadow for home casual use and I think I’ll also go ahead and order a pair of the Summit waterproof boots as well. You’re right the Boulders aren’t serious hiking boots. But as a daily work boot for hard floors being on my feet all day, they’re wonderful.
Yes! That was my problem with these too, the tread is just not good enough for any real hike! Still very comfortable and a great transition shoe, just wish there was more tread.
@@anyasreviews I know you said you're reviewing more in the coming weeks but I'm looking to order sooner and wondering if there's any advice you could give me. I'm also looking at the Vivobarefoot boots and Wildlings, currently. It'd be great to have one for comfy forest rambling and one that's more of a work boot.
Love the patina on these! If these had a vibram megagrip outsole, they would eat up trails. Without it, I think I'd feel like too much of a poser wearing them but only because I personally need tough outdoor boots! :-) How are they compared to other minimal boots/shoes you've tried in terms width and feel?
I have 9 1/2 wide feet so I usually order 10’s however the Lems Waterproof Hiking boots were too narrow and I couldn’t even get my left foot into the boot. I exchanged them for 10 1/2’s which fit fine.
Aggressive tread and barefoot feel are inversely correlated. You certainly wouldn't want aggressive tread on a super-thin outsole, where you could actually feel the lugs poking into the bottom of your feet. Using rubber would make the outsole more grippy, even if it were thinner.
I was really looking forward to lems boots and primal 2. Though they fit very well lenthwise, both shoes were too narrow. Based off lems advertising i thought i finally found a shoe to fit my feet. The boulder boot seemed a little narrow in metatarsal and didn't quite allow my toes to move. Not sure if they will break in or make my foot sore. The primal 2 felt like they would rip out sideways (also felt like something stuck to bottom of sole). Hopefully Be Lenka will suit me better.
I live in the PNW and bought these for a town and dog walking shoe. The waterproof membrane has a seam that runs above the toe, and it is not super well sealed. I've had two pairs. Walking through we grass for more than a minute or so and the water begins to soak my sock. And, of course, since they are leather boots with a waterproof membrane that barely breathes, they stay wet for ages unless you put them in front of a fan. I wouldn't recommend these for wet climates until they fix the design of the membrane.
Ooh, interesting! I've heard some mixed reviews on the waterproofness. Mine have yet to get any water in, but it may be that you need something like Aquaseal to close off the seam.
@@anyasreviews I waterproofed with obenauf's heavy duty LP. The seams will never be truly waterproof, even with a heavy wax like obenauf's. The issue with my boots, and the issues others report online, seems to be with the membrane, which is below the leather. I am guessing it's an issue with the amount of flex in the boot (which is why it's so dang comfortable) causing a break in the membrane seams. Complete speculation, though. Either way, with the membrane failures, youstill might not have water infiltration unless you're in very wet environments like wet grass or walking through standing water.
I’m thinking about getting the vegan ones. I’m curious, you said you’d normally buy a 7 in “this kind of a shoe”. Meaning a barefoot shoe? I’m usually an 8 in standard shoes but notice I’m an 8.5 in barefoot shoes a lot of the time so should I go up a half size from the 8.5?
Speed hooks are ok I guess but, from my experience if you’re very physically at all climbing, kneeling on your knees. The speed hooks always clamp down on the laces and or just break off. Not a fan!
Yaaas. For hiking boots, the first few in this article are much better for intense hiking: anyasreviews.com/best-barefoot-hiking-boots-zero-drop-flexible/. You can also check out some work boot options here: anyasreviews.com/wear-this-not-that-minimalist-work-boots-save-your-back/
How's the grip on these? I'm thinking about getting these for work, I am an operating room nurse. Just dont want to be slipping around if the floor gets wet.
Hi Would you reccomend this for snowy conditions?. It looks it doesnt have the best grip on it. I dont think the boots are 100 percent waterproof . . .if too much water gets inside the shoe it can damage the shoe. Also waterproof means that it has enough or high durability to withstand exposure water exposure. Eventually, the shoe will get some tear from water damage. At least constant huge exposure to water after a while. the shoe will last longer than those that arent all waterproof as they have limited resistance to water exposure.
I have worn mine in the snow several times with a sheepskin insole. They did pretty well, but were more slippery than some of my other hiking boots. It seems that after a while you can start getting water in through the seams on these shoes. I recommend using a product like Aquaseal to close off any places that are starting to leak.
@@anyasreviews . . .I think that leather has strong water resistance either way especially in the waterproof boulder boot. I believe it's been reinforced to withstand water exposure to an extent greater than in the non-waterproof ones. Speaking, I bought waterproof sneakers that were cheap and even they got some water damage after awhile. I got a whole on one of them at work when I spilled some warm water on them by accident. I have had water damage in my other conventional shoes as well. Either way, most shoes on the market are not durable enough to withstand water exposure. Including most of the expensive footwear.
I'll say probably not. I have a pair of Lems all leather (non waterproof) and they are pretty darned swampy in the summer. I also have a pair of the Boulder Boot nylon and leather which are a bit better. Both pair of mine have cotton flannel lining, which I wish wasn't there.
They did well! I haven't had any issues with the waterproofing, but I only wear these if it's about 20 degrees or warmer. So there were stretches during the winter I didn't use them at all. But I was pleasantly surprised with the tread in snowy conditions. I used a sheepskin insole to keep my feet warmer than otherwise.
Hey! I've been looking at the Boulder boot for months now but just can't pull the trigger yet, I like to hike (not big long multi day hikes, but day hikes. How do these compare to the Vivobarefoot hiking boots? I have wide feet and I hear the Vivos are a bit more narrow. Can you help?
The Vivo's are narrower, I went up one size from my usual Vivobarefoot size so they would be comfortable. After doing that, I think I prefer the Trackers for hikes. They also start out kind of stiff around the ankle, but mine are really comfortable now that they've gotten broken in. I review them along with several other hiking boots in this post: anyasreviews.com/best-barefoot-hiking-boots-zero-drop-flexible/
Came across your channel looking for a water resistant/water proof barefoot shoe that also has slip resistant capabilities any suggestions? I work as Chef and need something that can hold up to wet and slippery conditions.
Hi there! A new shoe is going to be released this spring that meets that criteria, I'll be reviewing them in a few weeks (can't say what brand it is yet). Otherwise I have this short list (linked below) of options that people have used with varying degrees of success in the food service industry. It's definitely a gap in the market, but I'm hopeful that the new shoe will adequately fill that need. anyasreviews.com/ufaq/there-non-slip-barefoot-shoes-for-the-food-service-industry-or-boating/
@@anyasreviews thank you sooo much for this. I will be buying one of the shoes from your article that you posted until that shoe that meets the criteria gets released in the spring. Unfortuately right now the barefoot shoes I'm using at the moment are dangerous slippery and once you go barefoot it's impossible to go back 😆. Thanks again I'll be on the lookout for your review video.
It’s not waterproof, but they do sell a wax you can use on it to make it waterproof. I ended up getting the vegan canvas Boulder boot mid (a shorter height version) a couple months after this but haven’t tried the wax myself.
Yes, unless your temps get much below freezing. I used thick wool socks and a sheepskin insole to be comfortable in freezing temps, but I wasn't super warm.
I’ve been wearing my LEMS waterproof Boulder boots for a few months. I ordered true to size and at first thought oh no I messed up and I should’ve listened and went up a half size. But after just a few weeks of daily wear at work (many 12 hour shifts) they have stretched to a perfect fit. I like them so much, I’m ordering another pair in black/Shadow for home casual use and I think I’ll also go ahead and order a pair of the Summit waterproof boots as well. You’re right the Boulders aren’t serious hiking boots. But as a daily work boot for hard floors being on my feet all day, they’re wonderful.
Yes! That was my problem with these too, the tread is just not good enough for any real hike! Still very comfortable and a great transition shoe, just wish there was more tread.
Yeah, they will be great for rainy cold weather around town, but it would be nice to have a better tread.
I wish they had more traction, because that's what I was looking for with a minimalist boot. Too bar they don't work with vibram!
Ahh thank you Anya! Reviews of these and other winter minimalist winter boots is exactly what I've been looking for.
Tis the season for boots! Glad it was helpful.
@@anyasreviews I know you said you're reviewing more in the coming weeks but I'm looking to order sooner and wondering if there's any advice you could give me. I'm also looking at the Vivobarefoot boots and Wildlings, currently. It'd be great to have one for comfy forest rambling and one that's more of a work boot.
Love the patina on these! If these had a vibram megagrip outsole, they would eat up trails. Without it, I think I'd feel like too much of a poser wearing them but only because I personally need tough outdoor boots! :-) How are they compared to other minimal boots/shoes you've tried in terms width and feel?
So glad you've joined TH-cam!
Thank you!
I have 9 1/2 wide feet so I usually order 10’s however the Lems Waterproof Hiking boots were too narrow and I couldn’t even get my left foot into the boot. I exchanged them for 10 1/2’s which fit fine.
Blows my mind why they don’t make the tread more aggressive.
Aggressive tread and barefoot feel are inversely correlated. You certainly wouldn't want aggressive tread on a super-thin outsole, where you could actually feel the lugs poking into the bottom of your feet. Using rubber would make the outsole more grippy, even if it were thinner.
they have a new grip version. And a new hiking version. However, purists will say they aren't "true" barefoot if the grip is too thick.
They look really cool. Like an adventurer's boots in a fantasy world.
That's so weird about the traction because my lems Chelsea boots allow me to even walk over oil sprayed concrete floors at work and I still don't slip
thanks for the review on these. I think "patina" was the word you were looking for
I was really looking forward to lems boots and primal 2. Though they fit very well lenthwise, both shoes were too narrow. Based off lems advertising i thought i finally found a shoe to fit my feet. The boulder boot seemed a little narrow in metatarsal and didn't quite allow my toes to move. Not sure if they will break in or make my foot sore. The primal 2 felt like they would rip out sideways (also felt like something stuck to bottom of sole).
Hopefully Be Lenka will suit me better.
Very thorough review thanks. I've read a few of your reviews online so it took me a few seconds to make the connection 😆
I live in the PNW and bought these for a town and dog walking shoe. The waterproof membrane has a seam that runs above the toe, and it is not super well sealed. I've had two pairs. Walking through we grass for more than a minute or so and the water begins to soak my sock. And, of course, since they are leather boots with a waterproof membrane that barely breathes, they stay wet for ages unless you put them in front of a fan. I wouldn't recommend these for wet climates until they fix the design of the membrane.
Ooh, interesting! I've heard some mixed reviews on the waterproofness. Mine have yet to get any water in, but it may be that you need something like Aquaseal to close off the seam.
@@anyasreviews I waterproofed with obenauf's heavy duty LP. The seams will never be truly waterproof, even with a heavy wax like obenauf's. The issue with my boots, and the issues others report online, seems to be with the membrane, which is below the leather. I am guessing it's an issue with the amount of flex in the boot (which is why it's so dang comfortable) causing a break in the membrane seams. Complete speculation, though. Either way, with the membrane failures, youstill might not have water infiltration unless you're in very wet environments like wet grass or walking through standing water.
Hi Anya! Should i size up for Lems Boulder Summit boot, or order true to size? I intend to wear thick socks as I'm from Indiana. Thanks.
hey :) are these a good option for snow? should i get a size larger for thicker socks or are they warm on their own?
Vivo boots are the only way to go for the minimalist experience
Great review!! I’m loving mine!
You have the most trustworthy eyes and face.
I’m thinking about getting the vegan ones. I’m curious, you said you’d normally buy a 7 in “this kind of a shoe”. Meaning a barefoot shoe? I’m usually an 8 in standard shoes but notice I’m an 8.5 in barefoot shoes a lot of the time so should I go up a half size from the 8.5?
Speed hooks are ok I guess but, from my experience if you’re very physically at all climbing, kneeling on your knees. The speed hooks always clamp down on the laces and or just break off. Not a fan!
I really hesitate between those and the Birkenstock QS 700...
Thanks for the review! You said it’s not best for an intense hike/work boot. Do you have a minimalist suggestion for that?
Yaaas. For hiking boots, the first few in this article are much better for intense hiking: anyasreviews.com/best-barefoot-hiking-boots-zero-drop-flexible/.
You can also check out some work boot options here:
anyasreviews.com/wear-this-not-that-minimalist-work-boots-save-your-back/
@@anyasreviews thank you for the feedback and guidance. I appreciate it.
How's the grip on these? I'm thinking about getting these for work, I am an operating room nurse. Just dont want to be slipping around if the floor gets wet.
Hi
Would you reccomend this for snowy conditions?. It looks it doesnt have the best grip on it.
I dont think the boots are 100 percent waterproof . . .if too much water gets inside the shoe it can damage the shoe. Also waterproof means that it has enough or high durability to withstand exposure water exposure. Eventually, the shoe will get some tear from water damage. At least constant huge exposure to water after a while. the shoe will last longer than those that arent all waterproof as they have limited resistance to water exposure.
I have worn mine in the snow several times with a sheepskin insole. They did pretty well, but were more slippery than some of my other hiking boots. It seems that after a while you can start getting water in through the seams on these shoes. I recommend using a product like Aquaseal to close off any places that are starting to leak.
@@anyasreviews . . .I think that leather has strong water resistance either way especially in the waterproof boulder boot. I believe it's been reinforced to withstand water exposure to an extent greater than in the non-waterproof ones. Speaking, I bought waterproof sneakers that were cheap and even they got some water damage after awhile. I got a whole on one of them at work when I spilled some warm water on them by accident. I have had water damage in my other conventional shoes as well.
Either way, most shoes on the market are not durable enough to withstand water exposure. Including most of the expensive footwear.
Did it make your foot sweaty?
I only have worn them with socks and haven't noticed anything yet.
I wish they made this with better traction.
they do now. They have a grip version. Plus a new hiking version.
Are these boots breathable? How hot would they feel on a hot summer day?
I'll say probably not. I have a pair of Lems all leather (non waterproof) and they are pretty darned swampy in the summer. I also have a pair of the Boulder Boot nylon and leather which are a bit better. Both pair of mine have cotton flannel lining, which I wish wasn't there.
I wish you would have shown us the inside of the boot. Is it lined and if so with what?
It's lined with a fabric material. So it's comfortable, but not super warm.
Hello, I need some shoes oil proof and water. Do you know some shoes?
So how did they preform through the winter? did the waterproofing keep up and how was the grip in winter weather?
They did well! I haven't had any issues with the waterproofing, but I only wear these if it's about 20 degrees or warmer. So there were stretches during the winter I didn't use them at all. But I was pleasantly surprised with the tread in snowy conditions. I used a sheepskin insole to keep my feet warmer than otherwise.
@@anyasreviews Thanks is a lot for the reply! I'll keep it in mind!
Great review. Cool boot
Thank you!
Hey! I've been looking at the Boulder boot for months now but just can't pull the trigger yet, I like to hike (not big long multi day hikes, but day hikes. How do these compare to the Vivobarefoot hiking boots? I have wide feet and I hear the Vivos are a bit more narrow. Can you help?
The Vivo's are narrower, I went up one size from my usual Vivobarefoot size so they would be comfortable. After doing that, I think I prefer the Trackers for hikes. They also start out kind of stiff around the ankle, but mine are really comfortable now that they've gotten broken in. I review them along with several other hiking boots in this post:
anyasreviews.com/best-barefoot-hiking-boots-zero-drop-flexible/
Nice looking boot. Thank you.
Came across your channel looking for a water resistant/water proof barefoot shoe that also has slip resistant capabilities any suggestions? I work as Chef and need something that can hold up to wet and slippery conditions.
Hi there! A new shoe is going to be released this spring that meets that criteria, I'll be reviewing them in a few weeks (can't say what brand it is yet). Otherwise I have this short list (linked below) of options that people have used with varying degrees of success in the food service industry. It's definitely a gap in the market, but I'm hopeful that the new shoe will adequately fill that need.
anyasreviews.com/ufaq/there-non-slip-barefoot-shoes-for-the-food-service-industry-or-boating/
@@anyasreviews thank you sooo much for this. I will be buying one of the shoes from your article that you posted until that shoe that meets the criteria gets released in the spring. Unfortuately right now the barefoot shoes I'm using at the moment are dangerous slippery and once you go barefoot it's impossible to go back 😆. Thanks again I'll be on the lookout for your review video.
Did the ankle soften with use?
A little bit, but I still find them stiff for me.
u say that they make a vegan and that u chose the waterproof option. Do u know if the vegan one they make is also waterproof?
It’s not waterproof, but they do sell a wax you can use on it to make it waterproof. I ended up getting the vegan canvas Boulder boot mid (a shorter height version) a couple months after this but haven’t tried the wax myself.
I need the shoes for work
Awesome
would you recommend these for winter hiking?
Yes, unless your temps get much below freezing. I used thick wool socks and a sheepskin insole to be comfortable in freezing temps, but I wasn't super warm.