Helly Hansen - Calgary - Winter boots
At a glance
- Suitable for:
- Recommended use:
- hillwalking
- Material type:
- leather/synthetic
- Material note:
- contains non-textile parts of animal origin
- Fabric properties:
- waterproof
- Closure:
- lacing
- Footbed:
- EVA
- Item No.:
- 021-0164
First things first - these seem to run true to the size. I usually wear US 11.5, and length-wise HH's US11.5 are spot on.
What's less than desirable: the finish of internal seams is mediocre at best. Right foot is ok, left foot - the seams are rubbing, and there's some inexplainable bump that's causing blisters.
The outsole, despite looking nice and cushy, is quite stiff. As a result, walking feels "jumpy".
They look good, though, but that is "in the eye of the beholder."
Bad thing is, these things are really noticeable after one's walked some distance in those boots, so the boots can't be returned now, as far as I understand.
The least you should do is to try them on, and then stand still for some 10+ minutes, you should start to feel the pressure points, if there are any. And trust me - if you feel some, they won't go away fast :).
All in all - not impressed. Maybe the boots will break in (they usually do), but this is synthetic, not much leeway there.
I'll struggle for a couple of weeks (for science!) and report back.
I cannot recommend these, buyer beware.
Update: these don't break in. I'm thinking of building some sort of stretching device; if I'll destroy the boots in the process - zero harm done, these are unusable anyway. + one more "bonus" - these are extremely slippery on tiles and similar surfaces if the soles are wet (say, going into a store after walking on a wet sidewalk.)
I'd need to be paid before getting another set of HH footwear.
-
- Advantages
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
-
- Disadvantages
- Bad cushioning
- Bad grip
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