Dunham Cloud Pileus Boots Long Term Report

Andrew Henrichs

May 19, 2006

Biographical Information

Name:  Andrew Henrichs
Age:  25
Gender:  Male
Height:  6’ 2” (1.88 m)
Weight:  190 lb (86.2 kg)

Email address:  a_henrichs@yahoo.com           
City, State, Country:  Glenwood Springs, Colorado, USA

Backpacking Background

   Most of my backpacking has been in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming, as well as the desert in the southwestern US.  I’ve gone winter camping several times, but I still prefer backpacking in the warmer months.  Most of my trips are 2-3 days, but I have taken several trips of 5-6 days.  This past summer, I was fortunate enough to have thru-hiked the 476 mile (766 km)Colorado Trail over 35 days.  Recently, I have been leaning towards the lightweight side of the spectrum. 

Product Information

Manufacturer:  Dunham (www.dunhambootmakers.com)

Year of Manufacturer:  2005

Listed Weight: not listed

Weight as Delivered (size 15D US):  4 lb 0 oz (1.8 kg)

MSRP:  $165.00 US

Product Description

   The Dunham Cloud Pileus Boots are waterproof leather hiking boots.  The uppers of the boots are constructed from several stitched pieces of leather.  A rubber rand wraps from the instep around the toe, and approximately halfway down the outside of the boot.  The boot features a gusseted tongue, as well as padding on the tongue and around the top of the boot.  According to the manufacturer, this will provide increased comfort.  The sole is constructed of Tru-Trak, Dunham's proprietary material.  The first four components of the lacing system are eyelets.  The last three are speed loops.  The speed loops seem to grip the laces very well, preventing the laces from falling out when I tighten them.  The forefoot and heel feature ABZORB pods, which the manufacturer says provides cushioning and shock absorption.  There is also an ABZORB insert running the full length of the boot for even more cushioning.  According to the manufacturer, the boot also features a "Graphite Rollbar" in the rearfoot of the boot.  This is intended to provide motion control at heel strike.  The Pileus Boot also features a "Dryworks moisture management system" lining the inside of the leather.  The manufacturer states that this system is waterproof and breathable.  The manufacturer also claims a "360º fit design" takes into account length, width, and volume when designing the boots. 

Field Testing

    I was forced to revise my original test plan after spring and summer arrived early in the Colorado Rocky Mountains this year.  Basically, almost all of my planned snowshoe trips became hiking trips.  I've had the opportunity to wear these boots on a snowshoe trip, one overnight backpacking trip, many day hikes, one snow climb using crampons, and general walking around town and my house.  The elevation of these trips have ranged from 5000 ft (1500 m) to nearly 14000 ft (4300 m).  These trips have ranged from 2 miles (3 km) to 15 miles (24 km).  Temperatures have ranged from 20º F (-7º C) to 80º F to (27º C).  As a significant portion of my testing took place during spring in the Colorado Rockies, my hiking has taken place on snow, slush, ice, mud, rocks, through water, and even on a few miles of dry trail.  I have experienced sun, clouds, rain, and wind while on my hikes. 

    My observations thus far are as follows:

1.  Fit/Comfort – I was pretty skeptical of how these boots fit after my first trip.  I went on a 4 mile (6 km) snowshoe trip in the forest near my house.  The initial part of the trail is quite steep, and by the time I reached the top of the incline, I could feel the beginnings of bursitis, an inflammation injury just on the outside of my heels.  I have a history of this injury, but it only seems to flare up when breaking in footwear.  For the most part, my heels hurt less and less on subsequent hikes.  Trails heading up steep slopes seemed to trigger the bursitis pain, but the pain quickly dissipated once I reached level ground.  The bursitis is more prevalent when my heels are able to shift in my boots.  The padding around the tongue and cuff of the boot doesn't help much.  It seems to be a little excessive; I struggle to lace my boots tightly and keep them that way.  Once I start hiking, it feels like the boot is a little loose.  I have to stop, retighten the laces, and start off again.  I had hoped that as the padding packs out, this would have become less of an issue.  Unfortunately (from my heels point of view), the padding has not packed out at all.  Another typical irritation spot is the inside of my big toe.  Most toe boxes are too large for my feet, which results in a lot of lateral movement of my toes.  This, in turn results in calluses and blisters along the side of my big toe.  I've only had minimal irritation on the side of my big toe; much less than with previous boots.  The irritation that I have experienced is partly due to my laziness; I neglected to change my socks as soon as I should have, resulting in damp feet.   Another contributing factor could be the lacing system.  For some reason, it is exceedingly difficult to tighten the laces around the toe box.  I believe this may be because I have such a low volume foot; the boot leather simply doesn't have anywhere to go.  I never experienced any pain or discomfort due to pressure from snowshoe or crampon straps. 

   2.  Dryworks moisture management system – Well, the Dryworks system is definitely waterproof.  For testing's sake, I did not apply any waterproofing agent to the Pileus Boots.  Several of my trips involved me hiking through goopy, slushy snow.  I couldn't detect any moisture penetration through the Dryworks membrane.  On several trips I've forgone a log bridge, and simply ford the stream.  The water was ankle deep, and my feet stayed completely dry.  I have even stopped and stood in streams for several minutes; still, no water leaked in.  The leather definitely absorbed some water, but 10 minutes of basking in the sun easily dried the boots.  As for breathability, I found these boots similar to many other boots I've used.  They breathe, but it's nothing to write home about.  While wearing a thin liner and a regular wool hiking sock, my feet would get damp, but never soaked. 

   3.  Tru-Trak soles – The soles seem to grip very well.  I find myself slipping occasionally on the slush that I've been hiking on, but I think it's more of the snow settling than the lugs slipping.  I've rarely given my footing a second thought as I cross snow-covered bridges, muddy trails, and wet rocks.  The soles also provide excellent protection from rocks, sticks, and other trail obstacles.  The Tru-Trak soles are quite flexible.  This is a benefit when hiking trails, but it proved to be a weak point when ascending a couloir in crampons.  In fact, the boots flexed so much that they actually popped out of my crampons early in the climb.  The ABZORB footbeds provide enough sensitivity to know what I'm walking on, but I can walk on anything, even sharp rocks, and not end up with sore feet. 

   4.  Stability – The Graphite rollbar is purported to provide "significant motion control at the beginning of the gait cycle."  I really haven't noticed anything.  However, I haven't noticed any abnormal movement in my gait.  Maybe this means the Graphite rollbar is working.  Despite my initial impression, the footbed seems to provide significant support.  My arches haven't felt tired or sore, despite my slight tendency to pronate. 

   5.  Durability – Despite getting bashed against logs, stumps, and rocks, my boots still look pretty good.  My boots only exhibit slight scuffing along the toe rand, and minimal scuffing on the leather.  As I mentioned before, the ABZORB footbeds provide excellent cushioning.  I have yet to notice any degradation in cushioning.

   6.  Cleaning – Despite all of my hiking through mud, these boots are a snap to clean.  Most of the time, I simply walk through a snow drift just before I get in my car, and the snow cleans off all of the mud and dirt.  Some mud got stuck in the treads of the boots after my last few hikes.  I let them dry and clomped the boots together, knocking off most of the dirt.

Conclusion

    I like these boots.  I don't like the lacing system too much.  It seems difficult to get the laces to tighten to my liking.  I also think the padded tongue and cuff are too excessive; the excess padding seems to hinder a snug fit at the ankle.  While the boots worked with my crampons, they had their downsides.  The boots flex quite a bit, increasing the strain in my calves when ascending a couloir in crampons.  That said, the Dunham Cloud Pileus boots fit my low volume feet quite well and cause less irritation than other boots I've tried.  They are quite waterproof and provide excellent cushioning for the times my travels lead me over rough terrain. 

I would like to thank Dunham and BackPackGearTest.org for allowing me to test these boots.