Typhoon Rock Boot
Oct 24, 2008 23:46:27 GMT -1
Post by empee on Oct 24, 2008 23:46:27 GMT -1
After hours of on-line searching for the perfect kayak boot to accompany a latex footed dry suit I finally settled on these as a compromise.
My requirements were:
1. Wide opening to permit easy donning without latex suit foot squashing up the toes.
2. Velcro fastening for speed and ease with 2 part purchase to permit tensioning (Strap through slot and back again)
3. High enough to provide ankle support and protection for latex suit foot.
4. Not too stiff or heavy.
As you can see these don't make numbers 1 or 2(!) but they do 3 and 4.
The boots have a 3mm neoprene non removeable liner. The outer is also neoprene with some sort of vinyl reinforcing around the edges. There is rubber protection at the heel and the toe with an effective looking fin strap retainer on the heel. (Not tested)
The fastening is by a fairly thick lace which was long enough to pass right around the ankle before tying.
Findings after my first afternoon out on the water with them:
The good.
Very, very comfortable - something like and old pair of basketball boots.
The laces slacken off and tighten very easily through the webbing eyelets. Unlike others I looked at the laces are thick enough not to tangle easily.
They feel lightweight and supportive.
Struggled through ankle deep mud during the trial and virtually none entered the boots.
While some water must have entered the boots it was not enough to detect - walked though the street to cashpoint and absolutely no 'sloshing'!
I walked over sand, stones, mud and pavement and had no problem with the soles - I do have 'problem' feet and had no problem at all even running up the stony / pebbley bits.
The not so good
Numbers 1 and 2!
While the neoprene liner was very soft and stretchy they were still not easy to put on. They weren't hard to put on but it did take a couple of attempts to get my foot in without my toes ending up scrunched up by the latex suit foot. Better than stand alone single skin neoprene boots I've used probably because the neoprene can be softer and stretchier due to having an outer shell to provide the support.
The laces proved to be an acceptable substitute for velcro as they tightened so easily and were long enough to take a turn around the ankle over the boot.
Size wise I normally take a size 11 but just over my regular socks the 10/11's seemed a little small, the 12/13's were fine though even over the latex.
While they are not perfect they were only £35 which didn't seem at all bad when some of the other stuff I've looked at was more than double that and still didn't meet the 4 requirements.
Last but not least I think they actually look pretty good too - maybe even a bit of 'special ops' about them ;D
Martin
My requirements were:
1. Wide opening to permit easy donning without latex suit foot squashing up the toes.
2. Velcro fastening for speed and ease with 2 part purchase to permit tensioning (Strap through slot and back again)
3. High enough to provide ankle support and protection for latex suit foot.
4. Not too stiff or heavy.
As you can see these don't make numbers 1 or 2(!) but they do 3 and 4.
The boots have a 3mm neoprene non removeable liner. The outer is also neoprene with some sort of vinyl reinforcing around the edges. There is rubber protection at the heel and the toe with an effective looking fin strap retainer on the heel. (Not tested)
The fastening is by a fairly thick lace which was long enough to pass right around the ankle before tying.
Findings after my first afternoon out on the water with them:
The good.
Very, very comfortable - something like and old pair of basketball boots.
The laces slacken off and tighten very easily through the webbing eyelets. Unlike others I looked at the laces are thick enough not to tangle easily.
They feel lightweight and supportive.
Struggled through ankle deep mud during the trial and virtually none entered the boots.
While some water must have entered the boots it was not enough to detect - walked though the street to cashpoint and absolutely no 'sloshing'!
I walked over sand, stones, mud and pavement and had no problem with the soles - I do have 'problem' feet and had no problem at all even running up the stony / pebbley bits.
The not so good
Numbers 1 and 2!
While the neoprene liner was very soft and stretchy they were still not easy to put on. They weren't hard to put on but it did take a couple of attempts to get my foot in without my toes ending up scrunched up by the latex suit foot. Better than stand alone single skin neoprene boots I've used probably because the neoprene can be softer and stretchier due to having an outer shell to provide the support.
The laces proved to be an acceptable substitute for velcro as they tightened so easily and were long enough to take a turn around the ankle over the boot.
Size wise I normally take a size 11 but just over my regular socks the 10/11's seemed a little small, the 12/13's were fine though even over the latex.
While they are not perfect they were only £35 which didn't seem at all bad when some of the other stuff I've looked at was more than double that and still didn't meet the 4 requirements.
Last but not least I think they actually look pretty good too - maybe even a bit of 'special ops' about them ;D
Martin
