Date: March 9, 2005

• 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.

Initial Report

Product Arrival—The boots arrived within a week after the test call closed. Impressive! They were packaged in a normal shoe box. The boots had attached labels listing product features and Vibram® sole information.

Initial Impressions—Terrastryders—what a great name! The person who thought of that name should be promoted. The boots make heavy use of synthetic, high-tech materials. They make a strong first impression out of the box. These boots incorporate a long list of features (above) and have an enormous amount of detail. They are attractive and appear to be solidly built and rugged.

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, they are slightly heavier than trail runners, and much lighter than normal full height leather hiking boots which weigh 4 lb (1.81 kg) per pair, or more. The soles have a firm stiffness (about a 7 on a scale of 10, 10 being stiff as a board), which should make them effective for edging. The Vibram® soles are aggressive for a good grip, and the tread is open so it should clean out fairly well. Product information says that the rubber compound used 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 should help shield my feet from trail dust and water. A toe cap on the front (looks like neoprene) should help reduce excessive wear. 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 their position when tightened. 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. The materials appear to be very durable, with specialized materials used in different locations.

Fit—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 (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. As I use the boots more, I will update my comments on the fit.

Proposed Test

Test Locations and Conditions—I will test the Terrastryders in a variety of activities, terrains, and climates, starting immediately. During winter I will be day hiking at lower elevations in canyon country and doing snow sports in the mountains. In Spring I will do numerous day trips and backpacks in the forested zone of the Colorado Mountains and in the canyonlands country of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. In early summer I will be backpacking in the high alpine zone of the Colorado Mountains. The testing environments will consist of badlands desert, canyon country, forests, and high elevation alpine country. Expected extreme conditions include: snow storms, strong winds, dust/rain storms, heavy rain, intense sun, low temperatures, and high elevations with strong UV and intense thunderstorms. Terrains will be forest and desert trails, slickrock hiking, off-trail bushwhacking, scrambling, walking in water and mud, and hiking in snow.

How the Terrastryders Will Be Used—The boots will be used mostly for day hiking and backpacking. Testing will be under normal use, using appropriate care to avoid abuse. This will not be a test to abuse the product to see if I can make it fail.

Fundamental Questions—The basic questions to be answered in this test are: 1) How is their fit and comfort? 2) How do they perform in a variety of activities, terrains, and weather conditions? 3) How functional are they for different activities? And 4) How durable are they?

Test Plan—The Terrastryders will be my primary hiking boot for the next six months. I will put hundreds of miles on them in all types of terrain and conditions. They will probably be worn out by the end of the six-month test!

On each trip I will take a thermometer with me to measure the actual temperature so I can relate it to my comfort level while wearing the Terrastryders.  In my notes for each trip, I will record the following data in relation to my comfort wearing the Terrastryders: 1) temperatures, 2) estimated wind speed, 3) estimated humidity, 4) altitude, 5) precipitation (including what form), 6) trail (or no trail) conditions, 7) how the Terrastryders were worn (type and number of socks, with or without gaiters, chaps, or rain pants), 7) my exertion level, 8) my comfort level in terms of how warm/cold, wet/dry, or cramped/comfortable my feet feel while wearing the Terrastryders.

Factors Evaluated

The specific factors I will be evaluating the Dunham Terrastryders for are as follows:

Materials, Quality And Construction—Do the boots use high quality materials, and appropriate materials for different parts of the boot? Is there adequate reinforcement in stress areas? Are construction and workmanship good?

Fit—New Balance/Dunham advertises that their boots are available in a wide range of sizes to fit all feet. I am probably in a unique position to evaluate how well their wide boots fit. How wide are their wide boots (I have purchased wide boots from other manufactures that were in fact not very wide)? How good is the fit in terms of roominess in the toe box, actual width, heal counter width and support, and lack of heel lift? How good is the arch support? How well do they fit high-volume feet (room in the instep area)?

Comfort—Are the boots adequately padded on the tongue and top edges? Are the footbeds adequately contoured and supportive? Are there sufficient shock absorbing materials in the mid-sole? Are the tread and mid-sole substantial enough so that lugs on the tread pattern are not felt on the inside of the boot (soft boots cause foot fatigue by the end of the day)? How comfortable are they on different terrains, e.g., on rocky trails? How well do they breathe in warm conditions and keep my feet dry? How comfortable are they after a long day on the trail? Are they comfortable to wear in hot weather?

Usability—Are the boots easy to put on/take off and lace up? How adjustable are they for tightening over my instep and toes? Does the boot provide enough ankle support and lateral stiffness for edging, and for bushwhacking in rough terrain, side slopes, and steep downhill descents? Do they have good longitudinal stiffness (moderate stiffness is desirable, too little means foot fatigue, too much means stretching of the Achilles tendon)? Is the heel counter snug and stiff enough to prevent pronation (leaning toward the center)? Do the laces hold well and stay tight? Do they keep my feet dry when walking in mud and shallow water? Do they dry out quickly after they get wet? Do they provide good traction on a variety of surfaces?

Durability—I do a lot of bushwhacking and off-trail hiking. How well do the soles resist wear? How do the uppers resist abrasion and punctures? Does the stitching remain intact, or are there places where it comes apart? Is there an adequate toe cap to protect that high wear area? Is there any tendency for sole de-lamination, especially at the toe? How well do the boots hold up with repeated wetting and drying? What is their expected life span?

Utility For Lightweight Backpacking—Presently I use lightweight trail runner type shoes for backpacking on trails, but they don’t provide enough ankle support, lateral stiffness, and foot protection for off-trail hiking (talus slopes, steep sidehills, and steep downhill descents). How well do the Terrastryder mid-height boots work for off-trail hiking—do they provide the support and foot protection I need? How well do they work for ultralight backpacking on trails compared to low cut trail running boots? How light are the Terrastryder-mid boots compared to the lightest trail runners?

My Expectations For The Dunham Terrastryders

• With the right sock combination, the boots will fit comfortably so I can hike in them all day without developing blisters or foot fatigue.
• The boots will breathe well to maintain comfortable foot temperature and dryness.
• 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.
• 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.
• Their light weight will allow me to hike faster and farther before I get tired.
• The Terrastryders will be very durable and will hold up under intensive use.
• The boots will dry out quickly after they get wet (e.g., stream crossings).

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 at bresnan dot net) 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 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