Long-Term Report: 
Dunham Waffle Stomper Terrastryders-Mid-Height Boots

Date: September 6, 2005

Photo caption: (Left) Dunham Terrastryders when brand new. (Right) Boots after six months of use. Spruce cones are inserted into the larger seam openings. There were a total of 15 open seams, two holes worn through the sides, and soles separating at the front.

Summary
My six months of testing the Dunham Terrastryder mid-height boots consisted of 33 trips, 72 trail days, and approximately 1000 miles (1609 km) of travel. I used the Terrastryders both on-trail and off-trail, but most of my use was off-trail in rugged conditions. I had very mixed results. On the one hand they were very lightweight, comfortable, and supportive. On the other hand, they were not durable, nor were they waterproof, as claimed, even before the seams came apart. When new, they did resist a brief wetting or shallow immersion, but not a thorough wetting. The durability problem consisted of holes worn through the sides, seams coming apart, and the front of the soles coming loose. The seams came apart in a total of 15 places. In my opinion, the Terrastryders may be suitable for on-trail hiking, but they do not have adequate durability for off-trail hiking.

Photo Caption: Right boot, showing hole worn in the side and large seam opening in the center.

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.

Long-Term Report  :  Initial Report  :  Field Test Report
In six months of testing (March to August 2005) I wore the Terrastryders on 33 trips totaling 72 days, as follows:

Based on an average of 15 miles (24 km) per day, that’s approximately 1000 miles (1609 km) of travel in the boots.

Test Locations And Conditions—As shown in the above table, the Terrastryders received a lot of use in different activities. Locations included desert hiking in California and Arizona, canyon hiking in Arizona and Utah, and mountain hiking in Colorado. Terrains and conditions included desert sand, snow, mud, water, brush, rock, on-trail, and off-trail.

I do a lot of off-trail hiking and backpacking, so the Terrastryders were used for bushwhacking through brush, crossing sliderock slopes, descending steep scree slopes, wading through snowdrifts, squeezing through slot canyons, hiking on slickrock, and hiking in mud, snow, and water.

Following is my assessment of the Terrastryders’ performance:

Design And Features—This is the first pair of mid-height boots I have used. I like the ankle height to provide more support and foot protection, compared to low-cut boots. The boots incorporate a lot of different materials and panels (see features list above) to provide support and comfort. Overall, the design and features of these boots are refined and impressive.

Materials And Construction—Most of the materials used in the boots are synthetic, although there is some half- grain leather on the side panels. There are mesh panels on the top and sides for breathability. They have a durable toe cap, and the sole wraps around the front. There are a total of six metal eyelets at tightening locations, plus 8 additional lacing loops. The boots are assembled with a combination of adhesives and heavy stitching. Double stitching is used in many locations.

Weight—I 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 full height leather hiking boots which weigh 4 lb (1.81 kg) per pair, or more.

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 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 sore spots on the front of my feet, under the top of the tongue. This was a problem during the first two trips using the boots (17 days of use). After that, I discovered that lacing them looser at the top eliminated the problem.

Overall, the boots were very comfortable to wear in a wide variety of terrains and conditions. I hiked several 20+ mile (32 km) days in the Terrastryders with no foot problems. Off-trail, I hiked through very rugged terrain and steep slopes with very good comfort and no problems. They were also comfortable to wear in hot weather.

Support—The Terrastryders provide remarkable support and foot protection for backpacking and hiking compared to low-cut trail runner shoes. 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. I have pronated feet, and I was pleased how The Terrastryders gave great medial support throughout the time of use. 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 upper 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.

Traction—The Waffle Stomper 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. I was very pleased with their traction. The soles held up well during the test.

Photo caption: Tread on left boot when new (left), and after six months (right).

Waterproofness—Although the Terrastryders are advertised to have a “Dryworks® moisture management membrane system that provides waterproof protection and breathable comfort in the wettest conditions,” I found this feature to be minimal. Even when the boots were new, they had limited water-resistance. They resisted a brief wetting, but with continued water exposure moisture soaked through. Every time I walked in snow, water, mud, or wet vegetation my feet got wet inside the boots. On several multi-day backpacks I had wet feet the entire trip. The boots are also fairly slow to dry out.

Durability—After six months of use, the Terrastryders are almost worn out (see photos at the top). The problems are seams coming apart and the thin half-grain leather wearing through on the sides. The boots have a total of 15 seams coming apart. The problem was first evident after my second trip with them (17 days of use), and increased with each use since then. The Terrastryders have a lot of seams, and the exposed seams are very vulnerable to wear. Basically the stitching wears through and then the seams come apart. The damage was mostly caused by off-trail use, which included jamming the boots in cracks, scrambling up and down ledges, crossing sliderock slopes, and bushwhacking. The toe caps on the front effectively reduced excessive wear on the toes, but the curved soles have come loose at the front on both boots.

When I get a new pair of boots I normally coat all the seams with McNett Seam Grip to protect the stitching. I do it right away when the boots are brand new. This really makes boots last longer, and is well worth the effort. I didn’t seam-seal the Terrastryders because BGT does not allow testers to modify the product. If I had treated the seams, I feel that the Terrastryders would have lasted a lot longer.

My Impressions
I wore out the Terrastryders during six months of use. I was disappointed to see them wear out so quickly because I really like their light weight, support, and comfort. The boots’ weakness is their seams. The Terrastryders have a lot of seams, and the stitching is very vulnerable to abrasion. I had a total of 15 seams come apart! In addition I wore a hole through the side of each boot, and the curved front of the soles came loose.

A high percentage of my hiking with the Terrastryders was off-trail in very rugged terrain, which largely contributed to the boots’ failure. In my opinion and based on my experience, the Terrastryders are probably best suited for on-trail hiking. They do not have adequate durability for the off-trail hiking conditions I subjected them to.

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 and I backpack nearly every week in the summer. In the summer I backpack in several wilderness areas in southern Colorado, with occasional trips to other states. In the fall, winter, and spring I backpack in UT, AZ, and NM.

Backpacking Style—I have been a lightweight backpacker for many years and an ultralight backpacker for six years. My current interest is super-ultralight backpacking (less than five pounds base weight). 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 (http://home.bresnan.net/~swultralight) 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