A combination of the wonderful upper of the bestselling Waterproof Boulder Boot, and the grippy, lugged outsole of the Outlander, the Boulder Summit is a great option for winter conditions.
Available in:
- Rugged Bark - full-grain, oiled leather
- Nitro - Nylon and vegan-friendly materials
Both feature a fully waterproof lining, which we've found holds up well over time with similar waterproof models from Lems. Leather maintenance and protective treatments suitable for Nylon will keep your Summits looking and feeling great even longer.
Sizing and Fit
We find most of our customers take half a size up in this model, or a full size up if you plan on wearing thick socks in them, have very wide feet or long outer toes, etc.
This model uses Lems's medium-wide "Natural Shape" last, and has their typical tapered, triangle footprint shape. Overall, it tends to suit people with average to wide toes and forefeet and narrower heel and ankle, and medium to low volume feet best.
There is some adjustability in the volume with the lacing, and the tongue is gusseted over the foot though not around the ankle.
Lems uses unisex American sizing: their labels include both a women's and men's US size for the same exact shoe, eg. men's 8/women's 9.5.
Ground Feel
The Boulder Summit has a firmer sole that offers a little more support than other minimal shoes. The outsole's tread pattern, material, and lugs will give you have a great grip in various conditions.
Similar to the Outlander, the
Boulder Summit is not zero drop. The heel is raised 2mm above the forefoot in this model. This makes it a great transition option as it is in between fully minimal and conventional hiking boots (which often feature a drop of 1cm or more). However, people who are used to fully minimal zero drop shoes may notice the 2mm drop.
Outsole: Winter traction outsole with 4mm lugs and zig-zag
Insole: 4.5mm Adventure insole
Stack Height: 14.00-16.0mm (not including 4.5mm insole)
Drop: 2.0mm
The Boulder Summit provides very little ground feel, and they are very cushiony. The area of the sole under the midfoot is a squishier material than the harder rubbery tread, heel, and toe sole areas. This means they bend more easily than you'd expect for a sole this thick (once the uppers break in and allow for that).
Care
Leather is very easy to take care of and durable, and so are the soles on this model. You can easily wipe off dirt from any area.
Leather lasts longer and looks better as it ages when you take care of it. If your leather shoes show signs of drying out, use a leather conditioning product on them. You can obtain leather care products from shoe care and repair shops, tack shops, and sometimes from your local hardware or pharmacy, or order online.
Remove road salt often to avoid damage to any leather footwear in winter, and avoid excess exposure to heat like from radiators. Use a half and half or weaker vinegar-water solution solution on a cloth to gently wipe off the salt, then apply leather conditioner. You can also find leather cleaners or "shampoos" if you prefer, or have your boots professionally maintenanced.
For the nylon outers of the vegan-friendly Nitro version, the nylon will let water bead and roll off at first, but as they start to show wear you may wish to re-apply water proofing or protective sprays. This will help dirt etc from soaking in and keep them looking spiffy!
Best Uses
These will be great to get through urban winters due to their waterproof design and grippy lugged soles. Though not thermally insulated, they feel cozy and safe from chill winds for commuting and casual winter use, and you'll be elevated from the cold of the ground.
They can also be used as a waterproof hiking boot, though you might choose a more breathable model for hot and humid summer days.
The Summit will also be a popular choice for customers looking for a transitional model in between conventional and fully barefoot/minimal. This also makes them ideal for days when you ask your feet to work harder than usual like long hikes or long shifts.
