Reviews > Footwear > Boots > Kayland Convert > Test Report by Ray Estrella

Kayland Convert Boots
Test Series by Raymond Estrella
INITIAL REPORT
April 28, 2008

TESTER INFORMATION

I have been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, and in many of the western states and Minnesota. I hike year-round, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I have made a move to lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot meals at night. If not hiking solo I am usually with my wife Jenn or brother-in-law Dave.

INITIAL REPORT

The Product

Product Description

The Kayland Converts (hereafter called the Converts or the boots) were delivered to me in their retail box. They came in excellent condition and are what I expected after viewing the boots on the Kayland website noted above. The Converts are part of Kayland's Light Hiking line, but for the style of hiking I do and the loads I carry, I expect these to do expedition duty.

They are mid-height hiking boots. They stand 7.5 in (19 cm) high. The outside is made primarily of brown suede leather, along with what they refer to only as "Breathable abrasion resistant textile". All of the major seams on the boot are double stitched.

A well padded ankle cuff is cut lower at the back and is covered inside and out with Lycra, which stretches all directions with ease. It seems to be filled with a slightly dense type of foam and feels very nice. It is not cheap open cell foam that is for sure. At the back of the ankle cuff is a nylon pull loop that just has enough room to get my finger through.

The suede-faced tongue is padded with the same foam and is constructed "bellows style". The sides of it reach almost to the lowest point of the of the cuff so I am hoping that will translate into nothing coming inside the boots as long as I do not submerge them.

And the reason I may get close to submerging them is because the Convert has a waterproof breathable lining made of eVent fabric. This is my first pair of boots with this liner and I am excited to see how it performs.

Inside the boots are a pair of insoles that Kayland calls"Roll". I have no idea why, but they are not the standard foam insole I am used to seeing. Although they are white it is almost like a dense pressed felt, not foam. And the lower half, from the arch to the heel, is covered with a dense, waffle-patterned material that feels like aerated plastic. (Yeah, that makes it a type of foam I guess…) The top is covered with soft micro fleece. While I am not normally impressed with stock insoles and usually replace them with custom insoles, these do feel pretty comfortable out of the box.

The toe of the Convert is covered with a knurled rubber toe rand to help protect the tootsies and add durability to the boots. It is glued on and I could not find any loose spots around the edges of either boot. An extra lip of rubber comes up onto the very front of the toe from the sole also for an extra bumper.

The semi-round nylon laces run through a combination of eyes and nylon loops and culminate at three sets of lace hooks at the top. Kayland calls it the Convert Lacing System. The lowest set of hooks, offset far to the back, have a cord attached that runs to the side of the boots to create an ankle lock system to hold the heel in place. This looks like a cool addition and I will see if it translates into less blisters on the trail, as I am prone to them at the back of my heels.

Reviews > Footwear > Boots > Kayland Convert > Test Report by Ray Estrella