Pakems Men’s High Top Boot
MSRP: $70.00 (BUY NOW for LESS!)
Weight: 16.6 oz w/bag (manufacturer list), 21 oz w/bag (Size 13 as weighted on a postal scale)
Packed Size: 13.25″ x 4.5″ x 2.5″ (for size 13)
Included: compressible travel bag w/ shoulder strap
Pakems are a great lightweight packable boot that the company touts as “winter flip-flops.” I was skeptical at first, as I wear slide sandals year round as my lightweight apres activity footwear and lightweight compact travel footwear option. In the end I found Pakems to be a great alternative for colder climates and for those times when you want to keep the elements, especially dirt and moisture, off your feet. The boots are really light and pack down really small in the included compression bag. The bag is easily attached to the outside of a backpack or stuffed inside, where it keeps the shoe funk and sole grunge separated from your other gear. Pakems are also quite weather resistant, so the slush around the ski lodge, mud at the trailhead parking lot or rainy evening around camp, aren’t really an issue.
When I first put on Pakems I found them to be really comfortable and the styling quickly grew on me. I started to walk around and found that my heel moved around a lot, as the heel cup is very loose on these boots. I quickly discovered that if you cinch up the elastic lace system this problem is quickly eliminated, making them super comfortable to walk around in without excessive movement of your foot in the boot.
Pakems Are Great For:
Skiing– Around the lodge or around the backcountry cabin Pakems are right at home. Who doesn’t want to get those performance ski hard boots off as quickly as possible after ripping some turns!
Dirtbiking– Pakems are great for a quick change shoe, that is easily carried with you, to allow quick exit from those tall rigid moto boots that you’ve been shredding trail in all day.
Backpacking– With their small size and low weight you can’t go wrong with Pakems as the go to around camp shoe after putting in the miles on the trail.
Rock Climbing– I don’t know about you, but I can’t be in my climbing shoes unless I’m on vertical rock. Standing flat in them is just murder! Pakems are a great cool weather option for belaying and hanging around the crag.
Trail Running– Warm comfy shoes to slip on after a wet muddy day pounding the trails, yes please!
Expedition Kayaking– Having a light weight, comfortable, dry and warm shoe to kick around camp in after long days in either a sea kayak or ww boat is priceless.
Winter Camping– Warm and water-resistant Pakems are great to change into after trudging through the snow. Whether kicking back for a good book in the tent or putting your feet up by the camp fire Pakems has your feet covered.
Overland Travel– Less is more, especially when it comes to weight, when overland traveling by bicycle, moto or vehicle. Pakems are great to have as that clean shoe that you can save for those times you want to relax around camp.
General Travel– Do your really want to walk around that hostel or hotel room barefoot? Pakems are a great alternative to flip-flops for winter travel destinations.
And MANY More…
Pakems are currently available in high and low top models for men and women. They are working hard to bring this awesome product to the kids market as well. The company is currently running an Indigogo campaign to help raise the funds necessary to get the kids line into production. Besides helping a great Colorado company by participating in this campaign you can also snag a pair of Pakems for yourself, or as a gift, at some great discounted pricing. Check out the campaign now, as it ends on 1/3/14.
Pakems Indigogo Campaign
(I love Pakems for kicking around the Sportsmobile. They are comfy, easy to slip on & keep my feet warm.)
TIPS:
-When you cinch up the elastic “laces” you will have a long tail that can flop around and you could trip over. A quick, easy and tidy solution is to tuck it under the bottom most elastic crossover.
-Pakems tend to run true to size. They will be nice and comfortable when ordered the same size as your normal street shoe.
-Another great way to carry these around the local rock climbing crag or similar is by throwing a carabiner through the webbing loops on the back of each shoe and attaching it to the back of your harness or backpack.
-The shoulder strap on the Pakems compression bag can also double as a ski boot carrier.
-Keep an eye out for the mesh watersports version of Pakems coming out next year!
OTHER PAKEMS REVIEWS:
About.com Adventure Travel Blog
(Disclaimer: I received this pair of Pakems boots free of charge for review purposes.)
