Roughly a year ago, I bought a pair of those "Indestructible shoes" and was less than impressed. It came time to get new footwear for my daily footwork. Of course I could have selected some cheap shoes from Fred Meyer or Walmart, but I know I need more durability and support. My daily activity is quite rough compared to most. I do alot of walking and running outdoors. I need footwear that is versatile and durable. However, it is also important for it to be versatile for the seasons such as rain and cold. This means I need the shoes or boot to be waterproof. After much consideration, I decided to go with a product that is not so mainstream. The HQ ISSUE Canyon Tactical Hiking Boot was a great price and seemed to have the features that made it worth a try.
PURPOSE AND FEATURES
The name pretty much says it all about what they think this boot is best for. The name waterproof...tactical...hiking...boot tells me that the boot is good for almost all seasons, is meant for hard use, and lots of walking in rugged terrain. The boot is only 6" tall, so it is not the most supported boot out there. However, I believe that it being classified as a boot means it should have sufficient sole support and be wide enough to give ample support to prevent rolling your ankle.
The sole seems to have a tread pattern that slightly mimics the sole of cleats. The oval and square protrusions are great in number and seem to be laid out in such a way that offers a great amount of support wherever your foot may be putting pressure. If you look at the pattern closely and compare to a foot pressure diagram, you will see that the treads are laid in such a way to compliment the areas that deliver the most force when walking. Also, look at the space you have between the treads and you will see that they seem to be designed to grab onto the dirt and various terrain you may encounter. This looks promising for me since I see pretty much every type of terrain here in Alaska. Perhaps this synthetic sole will prove to be more durable than good old rubber composite soles that are similar to that used in vehicle tires.
Despite the fact that these boots are made in China, I think that the design is well done and has the potential to completely satisfy my needs. The walls of the boots are plenty thick and have a decent amount of cushion that allows you to cinch down the laces without causing unnecessary discomfort. From my limited usage, the perforated inside seems to breath really well and prevent my feet from building up too much heat to the point of sweating and drenching my cotton socks. However, I still always recommend wool socks for any type of extended walking past going to the store to pick up milk and cigarettes.
As far as the insoles that come in the boots, they are thin and soft, but pretty much useless for me. I require a neutral arch for the best support, so getting your own insoles is almost always needed in your everyday footwear anyways. The sides of the inside boot are one of the concerning areas for those of us who use our feet alot. The heel portion of the inside boot can not only be a hot spot, but also can be the first part to give out and fray. this is the area that receives some of the greatest pressure and friction, so this will be an area for me to keep an eye on throughout my testing.
The connection that the sole has with the body of the boot is another important part that I am going to have to keep a close eye on. I am not a big fan of glued on soles since they seem to separate too easily and the glue is even protruding out in several places. Separation of the sole seems to happen when there is lots of exposure to water, heat-to-cold transitions, lots of sun exposure, friction, and trauma from pushing and pulling forces. Basically using it can cause it to separate easily if the glue or connection method is not solid. I like stitched soles better because at least they stay on and protect my feet. Nothing more annoying than having a sole that constantly gets caught on things or gathers dirt and water to soak your feet. Unfortunately this is a feature you find on pretty much every boot and shoe. in this case, I don't buy the whole saying "you get what you pay for" when the soles are all attached the same way.
The lacing system on these boots seems to be a little less than desirable. I like how the lower four loops are made of a slightly thin nylon webbing, transferring less wear on the laces, which is always a good thing. The nylon loops seem to be well secured under flaps of leather , which may not offer that great of durability if they get tugged on well enough and long enough. I would say the stitching would be the most questionable part since the stitches on the loops are merely a solitary row. I think that this will have to be watched and tested in the future. Perhaps the 8 loops support each other and distribute the forces well enough to where it won't matter that they are thin and have a single row of stitching.
The top of the boot features these two quick-release eyelets that are riveted in place. The problem I have is that the top eyelet is a bit high and the edges are a bit sharp which can wear the shoelaces over time, no matter what kind you use. I like the laces that come with the boots, but I fear that they may be a little less durable than just good only 550 cord.
TESTING ENVIRONMENT
As a gear reviewer, my goal is to test gear in a manner that challenges the product in a compressed amount of time in an extreme measure. Often, it is time that will be needed in order to make an accurate judgement of the product. This is a product that is touted to be capable of being used for hiking and tactical uses. I will need to go out of my way in order to make sure the testing is done enough to make an accurate judgement. Winter is approaching and I am going to have an opportunity to test this product in some of the harshest conditions I can subject it to. It will get wet, hot, cold, and be subjected to alot of blunt forces and abrasion on the sole and sides. The boots will witness temperatures ranging from 40 degrees to -40 degrees. This has always been rough on shoes and boots. This season is where I have always seen them fail and give out.
I look forward to seeing if this boot is worth the money or not. These babies come in at about $50-$60 and are waterproof with a very well cushioned body and aggressive sole layout. I am crossing my fingers for this product because I would love to finally have found my type of footwear.
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