Field Test Report
Dunham Waffle Stomper Terrastryders Mid-Height Boots

Date: May 11, 2005

Manufacturer Information
Name: Dunham Bootmakers
Website: http://www.dunhamfits.com

Product Information
Product Tested: Dunham Waffle Stomper Terrastryders-Mid
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Color: Brown
Size: Men’s 11.5 EEEE (extra wide)
Weight Listed: not available
Weight as Delivered: 2 lb 8.8 oz (1.16 kg) per pair
MSRP: $120 US

Product Description
According to product information, the Terrastryders have the following features (from manufacturer’s website):

• Dryworks® moisture management membrane system provides waterproof protection and breathable comfort in the wettest conditions.

• Vibram® Supertrek compound rubber outsole is formulated for enhanced grip on rocky surfaces. Supertrek is soft enough for smearing moves, yet firm enough for edging while maintaining needed durability on the trail.

• Dual TPU plates sandwiched between the midsole and outsole. The rear plate features a stiff compound that provides torsional stability and protects the heel from trail bruising. The front plate is more flexible, providing the perfect blend of protection and comfortable forefoot mobility.

• Direct contact ABZORB® in the heel and forefoot provides superior shock absorption and ideal underfoot cushioning for maximum multi-mile comfort.

• Compression molded EVA midsole is the right weight to enable a faster more fun trail pace.

• Gusseted tongue keeps sticks and stones where they belong...on the trail, not in your shoe.

• Non-stretch stability wings provide a secure heel and forefoot cradle for lightweight lateral support and secure foothold.

• Armor-tech mesh panels are tough but very lightweight.

• SL-1 Sport last shape provides a more athletic fit.

• 360° fit design considers not only length and width but also volume.

• Extended sizes and widths to fit wide and long feet.

Field Test Report
In the first two months of testing I have worn the Terrastryders on 10 trips totaling 32days, as follows:

Test Locations And Conditions—Right after the Terrastryders arrived, I took them on an 11-day trip to Death Valley National Park in California. At Death Valley we car camped and day hiked in numerous canyons, including some slot canyons. The terrain was very rocky and abrasive. In weekly succession I made two more late winter car camping trips, totaling ten days, to Southern Utah and day hiked in remote sections of Arches National Park. At Arches we scraped through numerous slot canyons, explored lots of slickrock, bushwhacked, and scrambled. That trip was followed by a five-day backpack on the Navaho Reservation in Northern Arizona, where we hiked through a remote canyon system for five days. This trip involved a lot of bushwhacking and scrambling, and numerous creek crossings. After this succession of trips I did six day trips at home, consisting of a day hike in the rain and three snowshoe trips to test the waterproofness of the boots, and two outings running on dry trails.

Design—This is the first pair of mid-height boots I have owned. I like the ankle height to provide more support and foot protection, compared to low-cut boots. I also like the light weight of these boots.  At only 2 lb 8.8 oz (1.16 kg) per pair in size 11.5 EEEE, they are slightly heavier than trail runners, and much lighter than normal full height leather hiking boots that weigh 4 lb (1.81 kg) per pair, or more. Overall, the design of these boots is very refined.

Construction—The boots are assembled with a combination of adhesives and heavy stitching. Double stitching is used in most locations.

Fit and Comfort—I have owned Dunham boots twice before, and have learned that their 2E width is not wide enough for my feet. The 4E width is truly wide, and fits my feet perfectly with padded hiking socks. The boot volume is right on for my high volume feet (I have high insteps), and the lacing system allows me to get the right tightness so my feet don’t slide forward. The heel counter fits snugly, and the toe box provides ample room for my feet to spread out without touching the end.

When the boots were new I had a problem with blisters on my ankles under the top corners of the tongue, under the top lacing hooks. This was a problem for the first two trips I used them (17 days). After that I discovered that lacing them looser at the top eliminated the problem.

Performance—The soles have a firm stiffness (about a 7 on a scale of 10, 10 being stiff as a board), which make them effective for edging. I found that the Terrastryders give great ankle support and perform as well off-trail as an all-leather full height boot. The Vibram® soles are aggressive for a good grip, and the tread is open so they clean out well. The rubber compound really grips well on a variety of surfaces. The boots are distinctly dropped at the back to provide good freedom for steep downhill descents. I like the gusseted tongue, which helps shield my feet from trail dust and water. The padding on the inside and edges is sufficient and moderately firm. The laces are just the right length and have a surface texture that makes them hold when tightened. The boots give good support both uphill and downhill. 

Durability—After only two months of use the Terrastryders are showing significant signs of wear, mostly in the form of seams coming apart on the outside of each boot.

These exposed seams, especially on the outside of each boot,  appear to be quite vulnerable to wear. Basically the stitching wears through and then the seams come apart. The horizontal seam on the right boot (below the label) has a large opening (about 2 in/5 cm). The problem was first evident after my second trip with them (17 days of use), and has increased with each use. The damage was mostly caused by off-trail use, which included jamming the boots in cracks, scrambling up and down ledges, and bushwhacking. The toe cap on the front (looks like neoprene) has helped to reduce excessive wear on the toes.

Waterproofness—According to product information, the Terrastryders feature “Dryworks® moisture management membrane system provides waterproof protection and breathable comfort in the wettest conditions”. On my canyon country backpacking trips I found that the boots stayed dry during brief immersions in shallow water. However, on my rainy dayhike I came back with damp boots. They also got damp inside on all of my snowshoe trips, where I wore the boots in wet snow all day. I will continue to use the boots in wet conditions to evaluate their waterproofness.

My Expectations For The Dunham Terrastryders
Following are my expectations for the Dunham Terrastryders from my Initial Report. I have added a comment or two after each regarding the status of my testing.

1. With the right sock combination, the boots will fit comfortably so I can hike in them all day without developing blisters or foot fatigue. (True, except for the blisters under the top lacing hooks. Now the boots are very comfortable to wear all day, day after day, without blisters or fatigue.)

2. The boots will breathe well to maintain comfortable foot temperature and dryness. (True, I hiked in the Terrastryders at 90 F (50 C) at Death Valley and they were quite comfortable.)

3. The boots’ waterproof membrane will keep my feet dry when hiking in snow, water, and mud. They will stay waterproof for the life of the boot. (False so far. They seem to be waterproof for brief wettings, but water comes through after longer exposure. My feet definitely got damp and cold when walking in water and snow for longer periods of time.)

4. The Terrastryders will work great for off-trail hiking (steep uphills and downhills, sidehills, and rough terrain), providing plenty of foot support and protection and good edging. (True. I am very happy with their off-trail performance.)

5. Their light weight will allow me to hike faster and farther before I get tired. (True, I really like their lightweight compared to full leather, full height boots.)

6. The Terrastryders will be very durable and will hold up under intensive use. (False. Unfortunately the Terrastryders are coming apart after only two months of use.)

7. The boots will dry out quickly after they get wet (e.g., stream crossings). (This seems to be true, but needs more testing.)

Personal Information
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 62
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Foot Size: 11.5 4E
Email: willi_wabbit@bresnan.net
City & State: Durango, CO 81301
Location for Testing: Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico)

Backpacking Background
I have been an avid backpacker for 47 years. Backpacking is my passion. I am retired and in excellent physical condition. In the fall, winter, and spring I backpack in UT, AZ, and NM. In the summer I backpack in several wilderness areas in southern Colorado, with occasional trips to other states.

Backpacking Style—I have been a lightweight backpacker for many years and an ultralight backpacker for 6 years. My current challenge is super ultralight backpacking--getting my base pack weight below 5 pounds (2.3 kg). At home, my wife and I give presentations on backcountry cooking and ultralight backpacking in the local area, and have developed a website called Southwest Ultralight Backpacking to share information.

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Dunham Bootmakers and the BackpackGearTest Group for selecting me to participate in this test.

Will Rietveld