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Reviews > Footwear > Overshoes > N.E.O.S. Trekker Overshoes > James E. Triplett > Long Term ReportLong Term Test Report: NEOS Trekker Overshoes New England Overshoe Company, Inc.
Backpacking Background: I grew
up car camping all through my
childhood. I later managed to continuously hike the lower 1/3 of
the Appalachian Trail, with an external frame Kelty Tioga (loaded
to over 50 lb / 23 kg) and some rather massive Vasque boots.
Currently, I
spend many weekends backpacking and camping and am out on a daily basis
on
shorter hikes. I try and take at least one one-week backpacking
trip each
year, in addition to several one to three-night weekend trips. My
style can best be described as
lightweight, but not at the cost of giving up too much comfort. I
am
continually looking at lighter replacement items for gear I own, which
is
generally not that hard, since a lot of my equipment is rather
dated. I
prefer a tent over a tarp, but have not yet tried a hammock.
Manufacturer Information:
Product Information:
 Test Location and Conditions:
I have worn the NEOS Trekker Overshoes
on several weekend trips and numerous day hikes throughout the test
period. This has been in the area around my home, as well as city
and state parks in Eastern Iowa. I have worn them while hiking up
Indian Creek, subjecting them to prolonged underwater exposure.
The temperature has ranged from
spring and fall temperatures down to the 35 - 45 F (2 - 7 C) range,
to summer temperatures of 50 - 85 F (10 - 29 C). The overshoes
have been through tall, wet foliage and on dirt and muddy trails, as
well as marshy areas and shallow stream crossings. The available
rain hasn't exceeded "light but steady". Unfortunately, there has
been no snow available during the test period. The elevation for
all testing has been approximately 860 feet (260 meters). As reported in my Initial Report, and my Field Report, I have primarily used the NEOS Trekkers with my New Balance 806 trail shoes. There is a bit of a "moon-boot" feel which comes from wearing small, light, shoes with rather large boots, but the fit is reasonable and easy to become accustomed to. The snap buckle and ankle strap provide adequate security to keep the overshoes firmly in place even with the smallest of my shoes. I have also used the Trekkers sparingly with two different pairs of hiking boots. The fit in this configuration is actually better, as the hiking boots fill out the overshoes more appropriately, but the redundancy of having waterproof overshoes over waterproof hiking boots doesn't seem worthwhile, especially considering the extra weight of the heavier footwear. The only area of discomfort I experienced was when wearing the Trekkers with hiking shorts, at which point the draw-strings caused the upper cuffs of the overshoes to dig into my legs a little bit. As fall approached and I started wearing long pants, this issue resolved itself in two ways. First, the pants cushioned any digging, and second, with pants on the trekkers were less likely to slip and the drawstring didn't need to be pulled as tight. Another side issue is that of perspiration due to lack of breathability in the denier pack cloth uppers. As seasons changed and cooler weather became the norm, this issue didn't stand out as something for me to be concerned about. Trail Use: The NEOS Trekker Overshoes have continued to provide waterproof foot protection, from both rain and submersion, throughout the testing period. Simply put - they are waterproof. On dry days when encountering a shallow stream crossing, putting on the overshoes and fording the stream has kept my footwear nice and dry. I have hiked through standing water for up to an hour without so much as a hint of water inside the overshoes. Based on this experience it came as no surprise when the Trekkers kept my feet dry when forging through tall, wet, brush, which is primarily when I used them. They are like gaiters with soles. Well sealed soles! It there is any shortcoming of the Trekker overshoes it would be in the area of the tread design. I haven't had significant problems with traction in wet or muddy conditions, but based on my experience hiking with aggressive hiking boots, the Trekkers aren't as stable as boots with deeper treads. Using overshoes is inherent to being locked into one tread design without the opportunity to change without changing the whole overshoe. That being said, there are some advantages to the design as well. Mainly, that after having mucked up the overshoes with some serious mud tromping, I can take them off and set them aside, and the mud is no longer being lugged around on my feet. Durability: The NEOS Trekker Overshoes have held up to many hours of hiking without any significant signs of wear. The treads are relatively easy to clean, and the fabric uppers hose off nicely. The seams remain taped and sealed, and the fusion point inside the overshoes, between the uppers and the soles, remains intact with no visible signs of loosening. I took the Trekkers out last weekend and confirmed that they are indeed still water proof in standing water. Other Notes: As mentioned in my other two reports, the NEOS website does not list the Trekker in its product listing. Also, the Trekker is not available in the drop-down list on the product registration page, making it not yet possible to register the overshoes. Summary: I have enjoyed testing the NEOS Trekker Overshoes. They are light enough to pack on a multi-day trip, and solid enough to deliver reasonable traction and superb water protection. I am anxious to continue using them in more wet conditions, as well as in the snow which will soon be here as winter is approaching. Respectfully submitted, -James T.
Read more reviews of NEOS gear Read more gear reviews by James E. Triplett Reviews > Footwear > Overshoes > N.E.O.S. Trekker Overshoes > James E. Triplett > Long Term Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
