It seems that Unsponsored HQ is starting to resemble a little bit of a shoe shop. Following on from the arrival of footwear from Baffin, Astral, and NRS we have the arrival of the new Palm Gradient boots.
From Palm:
A boot which will eat up hike-ins‚ precarious scouts and tough portages. Confidence inspiring ankle support with protective scratch rubber reinforcement and a secure lace-up fit (good with or without drysuit socks)‚ the Gradient still maintains a low profile to fit comfortably in your kayak. Built upon our Vibram sole made from HydroGrip rubber. The ultimate in wet traction.
For 2015 the Gradients have been completely revamped and to be fair the only real similarity to the original Palm Gradient boots is the fact they have the same name and you put them on your feet.
Specs:
Materials – 3 mm CR neoprene‚ Layered mesh‚ Scratched rubber
Entry – Slip-on, Boot cut with reduced heel, Pull tabs
Adjustment – Laces for secure fit
Weight – 430 g (8)
Construction – Open tongue, Double stitched seams
Sole – Multitendo sole pattern, Vibram Hydrogrip compound
Other Features – Stretch neoprene collar against grit ingress, Scratched rubber toe protection, PU mesh reinforcement, Low profile heel
Inner – Cushioning midsole, Removable insole to adjust fit, EVA layer for comfort without insole Last Paddling specific shape to accommodate drysuit socks
The Palm Gradient boots are available in UK sizes 6 – 12.
Initial impressions are good. The grey laces have been swapped out for the lime green set which makes the boot look far better. It’s nice to have an option.
Initial fit feels very good and feels much more like a normal shoe/boot than any other watersport piece of footwear that I have tried in recent times. At just under £90 the price point is far more appealing than some of the other alternatives.
I had a pair of 3 tens canyoneering boots. They fell apart. The heel fell off, the sole fell off. They fell into 3 pieces.
I have a problem getting dry suit socks into any footwear. Does anyone have any ideas?