Do these boots exist (tall, grippy flat soles, light but durable)?
April 28, 2017 8:41 PM   Subscribe

Last year I went to Burning Man, and couldn't really figure out what to wear on my feet until I stumbled on a combination of gaiters (like these) and a pair of Merrell minimal ("barefoot") running shoes (kinda like these). I'm now wondering if there's a prefab boot out there with some of the same properties.

What I liked:

- The whole assembly was lightweight, close-fitting, and flexible.
- The gaiters kept my lower legs from getting too beat up.
- I could walk / bike / run without snagging anything.
- The running shoe soles were a good combination of flat with a little traction and tough enough to protect my feet.
- My feet could breathe a little, but I didn't wind up with half a pound of playa dust pooled inside the shoes.

Googling around for this kind of thing hasn't been very fruitful. The closest stuff I find in look / shape to what I'm going for seems to be women's boots that go up to the knee or just below, but these don't generally look like they're made for being very active in. There are a bunch of tallish leather western / cowboy styled boots on the market, but these tend to have a heel and a fairly heavy sole in general.

I wear a men's 9.5ish, in US sizes, if it's relevant. I don't have strict requirements on materials or anything - just trying to get a sense of whether what I want is even an existing category of thing.
posted by brennen to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (6 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
Tabi boots like these, which are used for martial arts?
posted by hellopanda at 1:11 AM on April 29, 2017


A google search for "minimalist boots" will bring up most of what is available, including some models of combat boots that are very close to your description.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:11 AM on April 29, 2017


I have a pair of knee high moccasins that are very lightweight, knee high, soft and flexible. Searching on moccasins may bring up something that works for you.


(See you there!)
posted by Vaike at 11:45 AM on April 29, 2017


I have these boots in the women's version which is identitical to this men's version as far as I can tell and seems to meet your requirements. Otherwise, tall men's boots can be found by searching "snake boots" which are made for hunters, but those are less light weight.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 12:18 PM on April 29, 2017


Seconding tabi boots. breathable, keeps dust out really well. I've even hiked sand dunes in them and came out 99% sand free. Easy to take on and off, and machine washable.

These are similar to the boots hellopanda linked but have a slightly thicker sole.
posted by ananci at 4:34 PM on April 29, 2017


Response by poster: Thanks everybody - some good directions for investigation here.
posted by brennen at 3:31 PM on May 1, 2017


« Older Mongo pawn in game of life   |   How likely is it that I am wrong? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.