Initial Report

Dunham Waffle Stomper
Terrastryder Low
Initial Report
March 1, 1005

Personal Information:
Leesa Joiner
leesaj@gmail.com
Southwestern Maine
43 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 m)
150 lb. (68 kg)
Dunham Shoe Size- 9.5 B

Product Information:
Manufacturer: Dunham
Year of manufacture: 2005
Model: Lows
Delivered weight: 1 lb. 14 oz. (.85 kg) for the pair
Size: U.S. Women’s 9.5 B
Measurements: 11.5” long x 4.25” wide (29.2 cm x 10.8 cm) per shoe
Color: Tan/Sky Blue
Manufacturer Website: http://www.dunhambootmakers.com
MSRP: $110 U.S.

First Impressions:
    The shoes arrived looking identical to those depicted on the website (http://www.dunhambootmakers.com). I was pleased to find that they fit very well. The fit is very firm, with plenty of toe room. An interesting feature is the 'non-stretch stability wings', which are a 'V' shaped addition to the side of the shoe. These wings are intended to provide support to the foot area. The vibrum sole is somewhat stiff and I am curious as to whether it will hold that stiffness, and for how long. The workmanship of the shoes is very good, with no noticable defects. The stitching is secure and even. The lacing is well designed and the lace holders are firmly attached.

Background:
    My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one-day hikes to two-week trips. My hiking experience began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. While enjoying the outdoors with friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping, primarily in northern New England. Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am continually trying to 'lighten up' and primarily use a hammock for sleeping.

Test Plan:

   The Terrastryders will have the pleasure of protecting my feet while I hike in northern New England, including Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. They will also get the opportunity to take a backpacking trip to Ohio and Georgia in the spring.   In New England most of my trips will be on the northern portion of the Appalachian Trail and also some local trails. During the late winter/early spring I will be backpacking and snowshoeing in Maine and Vermont, with a long weekend spent hiking the Isaac Davis Trail in Western Massachusetts.      Once spring arrives (better known as mud season here in Maine) I will give the Terrastryders the chance to prove themselves on sometimes muddy and often rough trails while I backpack.   Much of my late spring and early summer backpacking is somewhat spur of the moment- the Terrastryders will get to section hike the Appalachian Trail with my children and me. I have the summer off and we often look at the map and decide we want to head in a certain direction. Within a few hours we are on the road. Because my children (like most) love water, we end up crossing streams just to see what is on the other side. This should give the shoes the opportunity to demonstrate their 'waterproof protection'.
     While wearing the Terrastryders I will be paying special attention to how my feet and legs feel.   Although I have very 'average' feet – they have an average arch and average length toes (according to my chiropractor). I have problems with my right knee that I find is aggravated by wearing shoes without proper support. (Remember the old song- The leg bone is connected to the foot bone?) As I get older, I find that a good fitting shoe with firm support helps to cut down on knee pain and leg fatigue. The Terrastryders are advertised as providing: 'Dual TPU plates sandwiched between the midsole and outsole. The rear plate features a stiff compound that provides torsional stability - protects the heel from trail bruising. The front plate is more flexible, providing the perfect blend of protection and comfortable forefoot mobility.'     This sounds like a great combination of support and stability along with flexibility.   The Terrastryders have a lot of interesting features designed to improve comfort. These are intriguing, as in most things, comfort is the most important consideration in selecting any type of shoe, particularly an active wear shoe.
      Along with the support and waterproof protection, my testing will look at how well the shoes hold up to frequent use over the test period.   I am curious as to how the different parts of the shoe hold up and how quickly the shoes become 'broken in' and then when they begin to show signs of breaking down.

Test Conditions:

       Living in Northern New England, there are at least 5 seasons, (not including Black Fly season, which overruns 3 other seasons) Currently we are in Winter – temperatures in the low teens to well below freezing, with 24 in (61 cm) of snow on the ground.   Once Spring/Mud season arrives, sometime between April and June, the temperatures rise to the mid-40's to 60's (4 to 15 C) along with rain and mud.   During the summer, the temperatures rise to the 90's (32 C) (at least a few times), with cooler nights. Most of my outdoor adventures include hiking, backpacking and camping at elevations below 4000 ft. (1219m) As my children get older and more able to carry their own gear, we are attempting higher climbs.   The terrain runs the gamut from improved trails to rocky and root filled to bushwacking.

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Reviews > Footwear > Boots > Dunham Waffle Stomper Terrastryder-Low > Leesa Joiner > Initial Report

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