There are many women out there that collect pairs of shoes like it’s their job. They have a specific pair for each kind of activity, be it evening soiree, business casual or stroll around the city. I unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) am not one of these women. The majority of my collection is in the sneaker category; cross training, hiking, running, even barefoot-style. Second in number of pairs would (embarrassingly) be flip flops.
But sneakers and flip flops don’t always cover it. For the past few weeks I’ve been wearing Patagonia’s Tin Shed Rider Boots. These water-resistant leather boots have only come off my feet a few times-namely when I left to go to Bhutan and whenever I’m working out. Okay, and at nighttime when I sleep. 🙂
I first tried on the shoes and found them to be snug, which concerned me a bit as I got tingly-toes within an hour. No matter though, the boots quickly broke in within a few days (high usage shortened this time). The full length side zipper provided much ease getting the boots on and off, a serious plus in my book. The three inch heel gave a little height but not too much-just the right Goldilocks amount. Similarly, the mid-calf length fit comfortably around my bulge of a calf muscle (thanks P90x), a problematic issue with past boots. As I wore the boots in, they continued to stretch and shape to my foot and leg. Wearing them with skinny jeans looked sporty yet chic (I know-me, chic?), and then pairing them with a dress and tights worked perfect for night out with friends.
I began to look around at other womens’ boots and I noticed that the two buckle design was very popular. Obviously it isn’t only a style, it’s also utilitarian; tightening the ankle buckle keeps the foot in place, while the higher buckle provides a tighter fit around the calf. But were the other boots as comfortable as these? Could I wear them all day long and not have achy feet at the end of the day? Cause these sure were.
Lastly, my past issue with boots similar to these was slipperiness. I had a pair that I loved that I bought in Holland a few years back on a trip with a dear friend. After years of wear the bottom wore clean and I experienced some unplanned tumbles on wet, slick surfaces. The Tin Shed Rider Boots have Vibram soles, the same kind of material that my hiking boots (and flip flops) are made of. If I don’t slip while hiking, then I’m doubtful I’m going to fall with the same kind of sole on another shoe.
At first I though the price point is high ($230) on these boots, but when I checked out the competitors it was comparable, especially of this quality. I’ve also had success with many Patagonia products, and so I find I’m more loyal to that brand than others. That’s not to say their products haven’t failed on me, but when they have it’s been after years of use. I’ll expect nothing less from these boots.
What I love:
- Ease of entry by full length zipper.
- Nice fit around my large calves.
- Can wear with multiple different outfits.
- Manages to look feminine yet sporty at the same time.
Not so much:
- Lack of choice of colors-all shades of brown.
- No products or direction given for taking care of leather boots.
You can buy the Patagonia Tin Shed Rider Boots here on the Patagonia website.
Adventure On,
Joslin
Photo courtesy of Patagonia website.