Outdoor Insight

56 • Outdoor Insight • August 2017 outdoorinsightmag.com OUTDOOR BOOTS FOOTWEAR Vasque's Clarion '88, $149.99, updates one of the brand's classic styles to give it a sneaker-like feel. It has a durable, waterproof suede and mesh upper, a flexible EVA midsole, a pronounced heel brake and a Vibram rubber outsole. See page 52 Baffin's Huron, $112.99, is a lighter insulated waterproof boot that is manufactured in the brand's factory in Canada. Forsake's Range, a series of sneakerboots for men and women, offers superior stability on all terrains. The styles – high and low tops – feature a waterproof/ breathable membrane in a seam-sealed upper, a Vibram outsole with XS Trek high-traction rubber, an extra-wide footprint and a composite shank. They are $140 to $160. G.H. Bass & Co.'s Brantley, $185, was inspired by an alpine boot in the brand's archives and announces its history with Bass' original motto – For Hard Service – on the logo. Hi-Tec's Wild-Fire Mid I WP, $90, delivers comfort, support and protection from the ground up. It has an M-D Traction outsole, an XLR8>> high-rebound EVA midsole and an Ortholite Impression memory foam footbed. See page 54 Khombu's Freedom Mid, $100, is designed to comfortably cross over from being a snow boot to a fall day-hiker or stadium boot. Developed in conjunction with the U.S. Ski Team, the men's boot has a lightweight, flexible rubber shell and outsole. Merrell's MQM Flex Waterproof, $130, is a light hiker with specific styles for men and women. It features Sure Traction sticky and durable M select GRIP+ rubber grip for technical terrain, Smart Protection ballistic mesh mapped over high-wear areas for durability and a Natural Flex FLEXconnect flex-groove midsole that bends naturally with the foot while staying connected to the ground. Oboz' Sapphire Mid Waterproof, $160, is a comfortable performer that is sculpted to fit a woman's foot. Its asymmetrical collar comforts offset ankle bones that can be accentuated in women, and its height accommodates women's calves, which typically are lower than men's. Made of soft nubuck leather, it is lined with the brand's B-DRY waterproof breathable membrane and features sleek midsole and outsole cushions that offer great grip without added weight. Tecnica's Forge, a new collection of trekking boots for men and women, $250 to $270, combines a precise anatomical fit right out-of-the box with customization options. Through Custom Adaptive Shape or C.A.S., which was first used in Tecnica's alpine ski boots, the Forge fit can be done in 20 minutes at selected specialty retailers. Timberland's FlyRoam Trail Mid, $130 for fabric and $140 for leather, is a heritage-inspired design whose lightweight materials and high-rebound sole make it a contemporary choice. The modern white outsole is sneaker-like, and its Aerocore energy system features a sport-inspired aerodynamic design, durable midsole and lightweight EVA foam. Baffin's Huron, $112.99 G.H. Bass & Co.'s Brantley, $185 Merrell's MQM Flex Waterproof, $130 Tecnica's Forge, $250–$270 Forsake's Range, $140–$160 Khombu's Freedom Mid, $100 Oboz' Sapphire Mid Waterproof, $160 Timberland's FlyRoam Trail Mid, $130

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