- Price:
- £130.00
- Rating:
- 3
Reviewed by:
Summary:
I’ve been wearing Fitflop boots and shoes since discovering them nearly 3 years ago. Since then I’ve bought numerous pairs, from Mukluk boots to mules, trainers and more, but I needed some waterproof walking boots which could take brutal wear and tear. As such, the Hyka boots seemed more than fitting compared to some of the other shoes and boots on offer by Fitflop. Although these boots probably aren’t considered to be the prettiest, they are ideal for keeping your feet warm and dry, and your ankle secure and well supported.
Fitflops have all been designed with a wobbleboard inside which is thinner at the front of the sole and thicker at the end. The sole tilts the foot slightly forward, absorbing shocks and minimising pressure on your feet. The Fitflop range also tone your legs as you walk, but personally I just wear them because I find them exceptionally comfortable, and it feels odd wearing shoes with any other sole. I have found that other Fitflop shoes have loosened over time, so the fact that these had laces is a definite bonus for me. What’s more is that I’ve found that my other Fitflop shoes have got mucky because they are made of suede or felt, but the Hyka boots are made of a soft leather which is completely waterproof. The lining at the top has sheepskin which allows for temperature control, whilst also keeping your ankle secure and protected. As such, these boots make for warm and dry boots for treks in the rain, but remaining cool and comfy in warmer and drier temperatures.
I did find that the first few days of wearing these left me with sore little toes which rubbed, but after wearing them over and over this was no longer a problem. Instead, they were very comfortable. Very quickly the condition of these boots has deteriorated though. The ‘hooks’ at the top of the boot became so loose and wide that I had to clamp them down, and one of the laces snapped when I was tying it. The ring on one of the boots has begun to tear the material around its base, and the sole seems to have lost shape and started slipping slightly sideways.
The annoying thing is that generally Fitflops are very comfortable, but I have had a lot of problems with the quality of the shoes. Trying on a number of boots which are the same make and size will feel different, and this simply should not be the case. I don’t expect to pay £130 (from their website), only to find that the laces break or that the rubber at the bottom is peeling off within weeks. Granted, I have walked hundreds of miles in these but I would expect so for the price. The signs of wear though are quite large and too shabby to wear to anything smart/casual. So whilst they do keep my feet snug and they are exceptionally comfortable, there are still issues with the quality of these shoes. I do like that they are adjustable though, and that when polished they are just about passable to wear beneath smart trousers at work.
