Reviews > Footwear > Trail Shoes > Five Ten Runamuck Shoe > Test Report by arnold peterson

FIVE TEN RUNAMUCK SHOES
TEST SERIES BY ARNOLD PETERSON

top view

INITIAL REPORT

INITIAL REPORT - October 12, 2009

TESTER INFORMATION

Backpacking Background: Presently almost all my experience has been hiking in New Hampshire, Florida, Colorado USA, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia Canada using an 11 lb (5 kg) day pack. I have backpacked on Mt. Washington and at the Imp shelter located between North Carter and Mount Moriah mountains in New Hampshire. The gear I will be writing about has been used for hiking mostly all year around in New Hampshire. I have completed the forty-eight 4000 footers (1219 m) of New Hampshire. My day hikes have been as long as 12 hours covering almost 20 miles (32 km).

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: FIVE TEN
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Manufacturer's Website: www.fiveten.com
Model: Runamuck
MSRP: US$ 89.95
Listed Weight: 18 oz (510 g)
Measured Weight: 20.5 oz (581 g)
Size: 9 Mens
Color: Brindle
Materials:
Soles: Stealth S1 rubber
Closure: Laces
Upper: Synthetic/Mesh

Manufacturer's Description (from Five Ten web site)

"This shoe does it all—We’ve designed the ultimate amphibious shoe—that hikes through rain, sleet, dust and mud without flinching. Uppers are a synthetic mesh with ultimate breathability. Don’t worry about puddle-splashing, as these shoes were born to drain and dry. Built on our proprietary trail shoe last, the Runamucks are perfect for long day hikes, moderate runs, and rock hopping. Soles are high-friction Stealth S1 soles, with excellent durability and friction. The shoes are helium-light, at just 18 ounces for a pair of men’s size 9. The Runamuck comes in both men’s specific and women’s specific models."

bottom view

side ventilation

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

I was very impressed with the lightness. The shoe seemed to float in my hands. The mesh around the arches provide for a lot of drainage holes. There is extra rubber on the toe end for protection. A loop at the heel end helps with putting the shoes on. The stitching looked perfect, as did the seams between the rubber bottoms and the synthetic uppers. The shoes look like they will be well ventilated and they have a removable insole. I did note that the lace on the left foot was damaged in 3 places. I called customer service and they will be sending me replacements. See picture below.

damaged lace

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

There were no instructions. The hang tag on the shoes was the only piece of information on the shoe. Essentially it had Stealth Rubber S1.

TRYING IT OUT

I had several things to do in Lowell and figured I would be walking for about 2 hours. I also planned to call customer service in between appointments. I had worn the shoes about one hour when I called customer service. I explained about the laces and was told another pair would be sent to me. I then informed them that I was having a pain in the tendon near the heel of my foot. I was told that that was common and I should put tape on the inside of the shoe until the shoe was broken in. By the time I got home, and had walked for about another hour, I had a sensitive area on my tendon. I took my shoes off and did not wear any shoes the rest of the day. The next day, about 18 hours after wearing the shoes, I took some pictures of the shoe and the red area on my foot. The red area was sensitive to the touch, but seemed to be healing. The binding around the top of the heel portion of the shoe forms a ridge which is quite flexible. I think this ridge rides up and down between the shoe and my tendon, causing friction and, consequently a blister. See pictures below.

blister on tendon

flexible ridge

SUMMARY

They are very light and provide excellent traction. Hopefully there will be no problems with discomfort after the shoes have been broken in.

This concludes my Initial Report. The Field Report will be amended to this report in approximately two months from the date of this report. Please check back then for further information. I wish to thank BackpackGearTesters.org and Five Ten for the opportunity to test the Runamuck shoes.

Reviews > Footwear > Trail Shoes > Five Ten Runamuck Shoe > Test Report by arnold peterson