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Reviews > Footwear > Winter Boots > Nunatak Kangri Down Mukluks > Owner Review by Ray Estrella
Nunatak Kangri Down Mukluks
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, and in many of the western states and Minnesota. I hike year-round, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I have made a move to lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot meals at night. If not hiking solo I am usually with my wife Jenn or brother-in-law Dave. The Product
Manufacturer: Nunatak Gear, LLC Product Description
The Kangri Down Mukluks (hereafter referred to as the mukluks) are light weight, down filled, and (in the style I opted for) waterproof breathable mukluks. They are hand made to order at the company’s home in Washington State. At the top of each is an elastic draw-string that runs through a cord lock. The cord lock is attached to the body of the mukluks to allow for one-handed operation. Just below the cord lock is a tag with the Nunatak name. Inside the mukluks at the top are tags with the size (L), “made in America”, and materials, fill type and washing instructions. The bottom of the mukluks have a “Toughtec” sole. Inside the sole is a replaceable foam mid-sole, which is covered by a nylon twill foot-bed liner. A reinforced nylon rand runs around the mukluks at the bottom to give some added protection from abrasion. They did not come with a stuff sack, or storage bag, so I purchase a small sil-nylon bag to keep them in while backpacking. In my gear room I keep them stored in a netting sleeping bag sack. Here is a shot of them stuffed. Field Conditions
These mukluks have been around a lot in the past two years. They have been on Mount Shasta, worn in camp there at Lake Helen at 13 F (-11 C). They went on numerous climbs of Mount San Jacinto in the winter, the coldest trip seeing lows of 10 F (-12 C) The highest point the mukluks were used was at the White Mountains, in the Bristlecone Pine Forest (California), for two trips. I was at 10600’ (3180 m) elevation, with temps down to 9 F (-13 C). I took them on a sled-packing trip in the Lundy Lake area, near Lee Vining California, and wore them while stranded by a blizzard at Tom’s Place, north of Bishop, CA. Here is a picture early in the morning near Lundy Lake. Observations
I bought these mukluks to replace my synthetic filled Sierra Designs Booties. I was looking for something higher, as I had some bad experiences with post-holing in the booties, and having them take on snow. Brrr. The mukluks are very slippery on crusted snow, or ice. But anything without lugs or spikes is in those situations, so it does not take away from them. One of the funniest things I have ever seen was Dave wearing his MSR Denali snow shoes strapped to his Nunatak mukluks in camp, because the mukluks were warmer than his Koflach climbing boots. The height of the mukluks is perfect for me. They come up high enough that when I pull the drawstring tight, they lock over the calf muscle. Even punching into snow past my knees did not result in the mukluks slipping, or letting snow in. And I have never had them wet-out. I am very satisfied with the Kangri Mukluks. I see many more seasons of use in their future. Pros: Light weight, very warm, high enough to be useful, waterproof. Cons: Expensive, a bit loose in the foot area, front seam loses a lot of down. This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Read more reviews of Nunatak gear Read more gear reviews by Ray Estrella Reviews > Footwear > Winter Boots > Nunatak Kangri Down Mukluks > Owner Review by Ray Estrella |