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Reviews > Footwear > Trail Shoes > Five Ten Runamuck Shoe > Test Report by Gail StaisilFive TenRunamuck Shoes Test
Series by:
Gail Staisil, Marquette, Michigan
For
the last 19
years, backpacking has become a passion. I am a four-season backpacker
and an off-trail navigator. Although
I do take yearly trips to the American West or Southwest, the majority
of my trips are in Michigan and Canada.
My pack weight varies considerably but my base weight is below 18 lb
(8 kg). I am primarily a tarp camper who averages more than 50 nights a
year backpacking in a huge variety of weather conditions including
relentless rain, wet snow and sub-zero temps.Page Contents: Initial Report: October 9, 2009 Tester Information Name: Gail Staisil Age: 57 Gender: Female Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m) Weight: 145 lb (66 kg) Location: Marquette, Michigan USA Email: woodswoman 2001 AT yahoo DOT com Product Information
Initial Impressions and Product Description  The Five Ten Runamuck Shoes arrived with a simple hangtag noting the type of rubber used on the soles of the shoes. My first impression was that the shoes were extremely light. I anxiously placed my feet into the shoes before doing a full examination of all their features. Even though I have worn other pairs of Five Ten Footwear in my normal size of Women's 10.5 (42 EU) I wanted to make sure that the fit was the same. The length and width were perfect and the shoes felt great overall. The Runamucks that I received are the Women's model and come in sizes 6-11 US (36-43 EU). This version comes in one color option of Moss Green that is accented with bits of orange, black and tan. Company logos are notable on the outer sides, tongues, and heels of the shoes. The overall colors/design are very attractive. The Five Ten Runamucks are actually classified in the "water shoe" category by the manufacturer. However they are still classified as running shoes (yeah!). Reportedly they are a "hybrid running shoe built for wet and dry conditions". What makes them water shoes are the open mesh designs on the side walls and tops of the shoes. This makes the shoes easier to wear in wet conditions as the water reportedly can drain out of the shoes quicker. They would most likely dry quicker if the conditions were right. I expect to experience much testing in that category since it is already a wet autumn season here. The mesh inserts (sides and tops of each shoe) are partially covered with overlays of reinforced synthetic material that has an open pattern over both sides of each shoe. There are also synthetic orange-colored webbing ribbons that add to the support of the shoe. A synthetic suede toe guard protects the front of each shoe while a rubber rand extends a bit up the front of each shoe.  I love the simple lacing harness that quickly snugs the laces through loops make of orange webbing. There are two eyelets at the top edge of each shoe through which the laces are drawn before they are tied. The laces are made of round cordage and are white in color. The latter doesn't seem very practical for shoes that will be dirty a lot. Each shoe features a padded tongue that lies underneath the lacing and extends to the top of the toes. Those areas are really the only padded feature on each shoe. The inside of the shoes are lined with a light tricot material and the back of each heel has a stiffened area covered with tricot material. Loops made of black-colored webbing are sewn into the back of each heel to facilitate putting on/removing the shoes. The patterned insoles are ordinary in thickness and design shape other than the twelve drain holes located near the front of each insole. What makes these shoes different than most shoes??? Stealth Rubber!  The most notable feature on the shoes is the use of Stealth Rubber for the soles. The rubber was originally formulated for climbing applications but its use became more widespread for other types of footwear by the manufacturer. Reportedly Stealth Rubber "provides the best friction on the planet". There are several types of Stealth Rubber. Stealth S1 Rubber is used on the soles of the Runamucks. According to the manufacturer "S1 is ideal for hiking and mountain biking shoes because it absorbs for more shock" and it's "also designed for durability". The tread pattern on the soles looks aggressive enough to deal with a variety of surfaces. Since I have owned three different pairs of Five Ten Shoes in the last five years I can honestly say that that I am very familiar with the use of Stealth Rubber. Even though I have owned the Insight, Prodigy and Genius Models, none of them are similar to the Runamuck in any feature other than the use of Stealth Rubber. Due to the season that this test is starting in I plan to wear the Runamucks in many adverse conditions. During the next four months I expect to run, hike and snowshoe in rain, slush and snow. I will address any situations where I might have to wear waterproof socks with the Runamucks to provide further protection to my feet from the cold. Pros So Far
Tester Remarks Thanks to Five Ten and BackpackGearTest for this opportunity to test the Runamuck Shoes. This concludes my Initial Report. The Field Report will be appended to this report in approximately two months from the date of this report. Please check back then for more information. Top of Page Read more reviews of Five Ten gear Read more gear reviews by Gail Staisil Reviews > Footwear > Trail Shoes > Five Ten Runamuck Shoe > Test Report by Gail Staisil | |||||||||||||||||||||||||