Ladies’s Eager Revel IV Polar Winter Boot Evaluation

Backside Line

The Eager Revel IV Polar winter boots are an excellent alternative for winter climbing because of their grippy tread, modest insulation, and relative consolation. Whereas utilizing these boots on a backpacking journey within the Bisti Badlands, we discovered them straightforward to stroll in for a boot, they usually dealt with the terrain nicely. Whereas climbing up and down filth washes, we felt secure and safe in these boots.

The primary situation was that filth fell into the boots, which may be a priority with snow. Nevertheless, these boots function an attachment level for gaiters, which may also help alleviate this drawback. This is only one instance of how these boots are constructed to excel on the path.

One more reason to make use of gaiters with these boots is that they’re the least waterproof of all of the fashions we examined. As soon as the tongue will get moist, these boots enable a major quantity of water to enter. Like many different winter boots, additionally they take a very long time to dry. General, we might advocate these boots for cold-weather climbing, particularly on packed or dry trails. They’re well worth the funding when utilized in the suitable circumstances.

How We Examined

We primarily wore these boots whereas climbing on chilly, dry trails. They accompanied us on an in a single day backpacking journey to the Bisti Badlands, the place we scrambled up and down washes within the badlands. We additionally used them nearer to residence on straightforward to average trails, in addition to just a few that concerned some rock scrambling. Early morning temperatures constantly hovered round 20 levels throughout these adventures.

Weight

The Eager Revel boots strike a steadiness between a minimalist design and a heavy-duty winter boot, leading to a mean weight. After we positioned one of many Eager boots on a kitchen scale, it weighed in at 21.3 ounces, or 1.3 kilos. That is about common in comparison with all of the boots we weighed.

The burden of those boots can primarily be attributed to a thicker sole and a number of other design options. On the path, we discovered them to be heavier than sporting path runners, however they felt just like different climbing boots we’ve worn previously. General, the load appeared cheap in relation to their efficiency.

Water Resistance

Water resistance will not be a robust space for the Eager boots, as the within turned moist in a short time throughout testing. To judge water resistance, we positioned every pair of footwear in our lineup into a bath stuffed with just a few inches of water. We used rocks to forestall the footwear from floating, since all of them had been buoyant to some extent. A part of the check concerned guaranteeing that the water rose as much as the laces on every pair of shoes. This space usually a weak space for leakage together with the tops of the boots. The tongue of the Keens proved to be a weak spot, because it absorbed water and leaked inside 20 minutes.

An additional situation with the leakage is that it took a number of days for the inside of the Revel boots to dry utterly. This drawback may very well be considerably mitigated with the usage of gaiters, as these boots do function a devoted attachment level for them. Nevertheless, they may by no means be really waterproof like among the different boots we examined.

Heat

Reasonable insulation within the Revel IV Polar boots offers a average stage of heat. For our side-by-side comparability check, we positioned these boots in a shaded snowbank. Then we used a laser thermometer to measure the temperature contained in the boot each 5 minutes for half an hour.

The bottom temperature recorded was 33°F. This studying is about common when in comparison with all of the boots in our lineup. One factor we warning readers to recollect is that boots will usually really feel hotter as a result of insulation supplied by socks and the physique warmth from the foot.

Mountain climbing-specific winter boots are additionally sometimes not as nicely insulated, as climbing is a better cardio exercise than standing round at a pageant or using on a snowmobile. After we wore these boots, our toes had been chilly once we initially put them on after spending a sub-freezing night time tenting within the backcountry. Nevertheless, as soon as we had an opportunity to stroll for fifteen minutes and the solar began to rise, our toes warmed up and felt comfy for the remainder of the day.

Consolation

Half sizes, adjustable laces, and detachable inserts all improve the consolation of the Eager Revel IV Polar boots. We evaluated how adjustable every pair of shoes is to help with rating choices. Since consolation varies considerably from individual to individual, this was probably the most goal method to assess consolation.

Within the case of the Keens, they function a mean variety of comfort-aiding parts. We recognize that these boots can be found in half sizes, making it simpler to get the most effective match. Nevertheless, we want there have been a large toe field choice accessible. The flexibility to regulate the match utilizing the laces or by including a customized orthotic insert are additionally huge professionals. In our expertise utilizing these within the area, they had been comparatively comfy to put on. We didn’t have any issues with foot fatigue or match.

The most important situation was that the tops of our tester’s toes started to rub after the second day of backpacking with these boots. Nevertheless, this was possible as a consequence of extreme quantity of filth stepping into the boots whereas climbing. This situation may have been simply resolved with the usage of a gaiter.

Traction

The Eager Revel IV Polar winter boots have strong tread that make them an excellent alternative for traction. We used a traction measurement system with a lever arm to find out the angle at which every boot loses grip on a rock.

The Revel IV Polar boots carried out above common on this check, demonstrating that they’ve good grip. We additionally examined the tread on the underside of every boot to determine which fashions supply probably the most floor space. Soles with extra complicated designs usually have higher grip as a result of there may be extra contact with the bottom and thus extra friction.

The fabric may also have an effect on efficiency. Within the case of the Eager boots, the tread is noticeably beefier than a lot of the different boots in our lineup, and the fabric feels grippy. Within the area, we skilled good traction whereas climbing in these boots. We had been in a position to climb up and down rocks simply. In fact, there’s a restrict to how a lot traction can support on icy surfaces, however total, these are a superb alternative.

Ought to You Purchase the Eager Revel IV Polar Winter Boot?

The Revel IV Polar boots are designed for climbing, which is mostly their finest use. The thicker tread, medium heat ranking, and ankle-high tops assist this goal. Snow can simply get into the boot, so they need to be paired with gaiters for deep powder. This makes them much less handy to placed on and take off for actions like shoveling or fast canine walks.

What Different Ladies’s Winter Boots Ought to You Think about?

We love the Eager Revel IV Polar for climbing within the winter, but it surely’s not the one climbing particular boot we examined. Listed below are just a few of our different favorites to think about:

Oboz Bridger 7” Insulated Evaluation: As one in all our favourite boots total, we might be remiss if we didn’t point out the Bridger 7”. Just like the Thermo Chill boots they’re extremely waterproof, although they do weigh a bit extra. Their cozy lining and higher insulation make them higher for decrease temperatures. Whereas they’re additionally supposed for climbing, their design is a little more suited to informal use.

Eager Revel IV Polar Evaluation: The Eager Revel IV Polar boots are one other of our favourite year-round choices. These boots had been fairly comfy to put on whereas backpacking in New Mexico they usually have comparable heat to the Thermo Chill boots. Our largest grievance is that the waterproofing may use some enchancment.

Bogs Neo Basic Tall Evaluation: The Bogs Neo Basic Tall boots usually are not climbing particular, however we nonetheless prefer to put on them on the path for quite a lot of causes. The primary is that their taller top means they’re higher for deep powder, significantly as a result of they’re simpler to tackle and off. They’ve average insulation for chilly days, however weigh a bit extra as a consequence of their design.