Description of Kayland Apex Trek Mountaineering Boot - Women's:
If you count grams before embarking on a backcountry trek but don’t consider flimsiness a good trade for light weight, the Kayland Women’s Apex Trek Boot is right up your alley. Kayland constructed this agile hiker with a resilient leather-and-synthetic upper and lined it with waterproof breathable eVent to see you through four seasons of hiking. The large rubber rand makes this boot ideal for everyone from scree skiers to scramblers to crampon-clad mountaineers, and the supportive ankle cuff and custom-fit lacing system boost your confidence as you travel fast and light over rough terrain. The Apex Trek’s engineered composite insoles flex ergonomically for natural push-off and torsional stability.
Bottom Line: The Apex Trek Boot grapples with gnarly terrain while keeping your foot in ignorant bliss.
Waterproof: stood in ankle high water for about 5 min - no leaking Comfort: no blisters, sore spots or rubbing on big elevation gain hikes (3650ft gain in 3.5 miles)a first for me! Rigidity: can use the smallest ledges with no problem. Traction: good on a mix of snow, ice, rocks, scree - did not slip once. Lacing: lace lock allows to keep to lower laces comfortably loose while keeping the ankle tight. I would without a doubt buy them again or recommend them to a friend!
First time wearing: 10km/1500m elevation trip (snow conditions). I'm not sure if it is because of the rocker sole or the flex point aligning with my foot's flex point, but these were very comfortable (no blisters).
my foot: 23cm long, 9.5cm wide @ ball & maintains that width for ~3cm (to end of pinky); high arch, heel width @ sole: ~6.5cm; don't know how to relate ankle dimensions
size: 6.5 wms
footbed: good arch support
heel: snug; no heel lift (Scarpa tends to be loose @ heel)
width @ ball: medium-wide
width at toe box: wide (does not taper sharply as La Sportiva boots yay!)
stability: fine; decent traction on hard packed snow; foot comfortable when using french crampon technique
Broke these boots in on my week trip to the Selkirks, with plenty of areas to scramble and climb, these boots out performed all expectations. The waterproofing is great as many days were wet with lots of waterfalls and meadows to cross. Bought them to do a summit on Mt. Baker, but they are my now favorite all round boot. Felt very secure on many ledges and scree crossings. Solomon now has a challenger, will be tough to get me out of these boots now!! The heel fit is great for a woman and toe box although not as generous as the Solomon's, very adequate, great fit with a medium thickness sock.
