Kayland

Kayland Zephyr

2009-11-03 22:32:33

Reviewer:Dror from Brooklyn

Overall Rating:

First impressions. I always pull out the insole to see what's under the hood. The Zephyr's insole is made of springy plastic grid with the usual foam for the forefoot. It's much stiffer than the regular all-foam kind you find in many shoes and gives much better support. It's a notch below specialty bought insoles, but probably one of the best I ever seen included with the shoe itself. Removing the insole also revealed a complete wrap around construction for the e-vent membrane. Many manufacturers skimp on having the bottom of the boot covered with a membrane. But not the Zephyr. This extra padding also adds some cushioning. The boot itself breathes very well thanks to large sections of exposed mesh, but as advertised, the plastic skeleton does great work at providing excellent ankle support. Overall, this boot oozes with quality and attention to details. Tough, supportive and relatively light. So why only 4 stars? Well, Backpackers magazine suggested this is a medium-wide boot. I found this not to be so. The toe box is deep, but otherwise I feel it is strictly medium. If you are a 2E it might not work for you. It didn't for me and I couldn't wear it extensively, but I also feel it is not a boot you can wear out of the box. It is comfortable enough, but it would need at least some minimal break-in period. If these two issues are not relevant to you, then the Zephyr will be a high quality 5 stars boot for you.

Kayland Dragonfly eVent®

2009-10-23 09:12:11

Reviewer:Jay T from Chicago

Overall Rating:

I used these shoes to stomp around Iceland. They are comfortable, although the fit is snug for my size. Ordering half a size up would be a good thing. Regardless, after no more than 4 full weeks of use, they are not waterproof in any way. What amounted to essentially walking around Chicago and Reykjavik in winter and spring should not equal to physical stress on any pair of waterproof shoes. I have used products with eVent before (trousers), and have not had any problems. I question the integrity of the craftsmanship. Hopefully my pair was an anomaly.

Kayland Vertigo High

2009-09-28 14:22:39

Reviewer:Anonymous from Montana

Overall Rating:

Great boot, light and stiff. I am 200 lb backpacker and it can take the abuse I give them, event is great, more breathable than Gore-Tex. Very little break in time.

Kayland Vertigo Light W

2009-09-17 11:02:58

Reviewer:Anonymous from Tulsa, OK

Overall Rating:

This boot felt very stiff and restrictive and was not comfortable at all. I returned it and kept the Kayland Convert W which fit like a dream. I was surprised how stiff the Vertigo Light was since it is made of fabric, while the Convert W is leather and is supportive but doesn't feel rigid. I give it 2 stars since it is well made; just not made for me.

Kayland Convert W

2009-09-17 10:52:29

Reviewer:Anonymous from Tulsa, OK

Overall Rating:

I ordered these for a 2 week trip to Yellowstone. They fit like a glove when I first put them and have great arch support. They are quite good looking also. I ordered 1/2 size up to accommodate various thickness\r\nsocks.

Kayland Apex XT

2009-09-15 11:48:16

Reviewer:Jim I from Santee, CA

Overall Rating:

Best fit out of many - I have a medium width/low volume foot with a narrow heel; prone to heel slippage and difficult to get a really good fitting boot. I tried many of the most popular light mountaineering boots until I ran across these (and Zappos' free return policy got me to order). Best fit by far of anything I tried, without any special insoles. Broke them in with an 11 mile hike on mixed snow/rock/dirt to 11K. No blisters or heel slip. Really glad I took the chance and ordered these boots!

Kayland Vertigo High

2009-08-16 18:43:03

Reviewer:Tony D. AKA (MountainGoat) from Atlanta, Ga

Overall Rating:

I gotta give to Kayland, this is a fantastic boot. I checked all kinds of reviews over several months before buying this boot. It was one of the only boots that the Backpacker reviewers had no complaints about. Backpacker said it was one of the most comfortable boots they had ever worn & voted it the #1 boot of all the boots they tested. First of all, the boot isn't so high off the ground, so there is very little tendency to allow your ankle to twist over, that was important to me. Second, the boot fits like a glove everywhere it should, with plenty of room in the toe box to wiggle your toes, no scrunching here, no banging the front of the boot, and plenty of room above your toes to move them up and down as you need to for comfort. Third, the comfort of the boot and the footbed support is fantastic. I have carried loads from 35Lbs. to 75Lbs. in my Osprey 110L pack in total comfort at either end of the weight spectrum. If your legs are strong enough to carry and support the loads then these boots will get you there without aching feet at the end of a long hiking day. The support around the collar of the boot isn't so stiff that it makes it uncomfortable, but still does the job good enough. I've got probably around 350-375 miles on the treads, and haven't seen any noticeable wear on them. They are still like new. Most of the trails I hike on are established, semi-rough at times but nothing extreme. I've owned other boots that made my feet hurt at the end of the day with blisters, and aching all over, but not these boots. For me they had zero break-in time and feel the same as they did the day I pulled them out of the box and started hiking with them. Their just awesome! Zappos is simply fantastic also and the they got them to me really fast. I'll never buy any boots anywhere else except Zappos. Thank you Zappos!

Kayland Vertigo Light

2009-08-11 00:41:26

Reviewer:Anonymous from Sebastopol, CA

Overall Rating:

Went backpacking a few days each on two different occasions recently and these were great boots. I broke them in for the previous 2 days and even though the toe box ran a little narrow for me, I didn’t even get a blister. Seemed good for ankle support and were super light weight feeling. This is based on about 40 miles of use with roughly 35 lbs. in the pack over moderately course shale rocks.

Kayland Vertigo Light

2009-08-10 12:56:08

Reviewer:David Rosenbaum from Colorado

Overall Rating:

Both my wife and I recently purchased the Kayland Vertigo Light hiking boots for a trip we took to Grand Teton/Yellowstone National Parks. We were both very happy with the comfort and support that these boots provide. There was very little break-in period. The uppers are breathable and very supportive. I have narrow feet and they fit me particularly well. Overall, they are the best boot I/we have ever had.

Kayland Arya Low eVENT®

2009-07-21 17:44:59

Reviewer:Julie Porter from Montclair, NJ

Overall Rating:

I use the Kayland Vertigo Light for the vast majority of my hiking. I wanted a low hiking shoe for days when the terrain wasn\'t quite as intense. Unfortunately, my narrow foot isn\'t a good fit for the Kayland Arya. My heel slips in the back due to its larger heel cup and, as a result, I returned the shoe. I was surprised by the poor fit considering that the Kayland Vertigo Light fits my narrow foot perfectly. For a normal width foot, the Kayland Arya certainly seems like a great option. It has the same excellent construction that I found in the Vertigo Light.

Kayland Vertigo Light W

2009-07-15 18:52:42

Reviewer:Anonymous from Montclair, NJ

Overall Rating:

I bought these boots for an upcoming hiking trip to the Alps. I chose these boots after reading a review of them in Outside Magazine. I have a long, narrow foot and was looking for a supportive boot that wasn\'t too heavy. I couldn\'t be more pleased. While this might not be the right boot for those with wide feet, it fits my narrow foot perfectly. It\'s snug and supportive without being restrictive.

Kayland Vertigo High

2009-07-06 17:54:37

Reviewer:Anonymous from Illinois

Overall Rating:

Boots feel great...but the sizing seems to be at minimum a half size to full size off. I ordered a 9 1/2 and I'm a woman and typically wear a womans 11. I've been wearing a 9 1/2 mens for years and this is the first time it's been too small. I also have very narrow feet and these fit me perfectly. While that's great that's also rare in mens shoes. So, in a nut shell the boot feels like a dream, but is sized larger than it is, and is quite narrow. I will be order a 1/2 size up in the hopes that it works.

Kayland Arya Low eVENT®

2009-02-26 18:50:17

Reviewer:Elizabeth from Lafayette IN

Overall Rating:

A solid shoe with a good design - Well, I wish they had my size because this is a really well made and well thought out light hiking shoe. Lots of stability around the heel and a sole that is slightly on the stiff side (which is good). I wish this came in a 10.5 (hint hint Kayland).

Kayland Apex XT

2008-07-20 22:16:57

Reviewer:Spencer from Orange Co, CA

Overall Rating:

Kayland Rocks! Very happy with the boot for the most part. Plus side: Great fit; I am a 10 1/2, ordered same in the fit, it was spot on (mid volume foot). Great traction, but if going through mud, the lugs do not throw mud well and the boot packs quite a bit. Good downhill breaking and going uphill is a breeze. Light weight! On the negative side: Took them to Mt. Whitney last week, with unusually high temps (70-80's at altitude). Had too thick of a sock (Thorlo 3) and within an hour, my feet, despite the e-vent lining, were very wet, and I got some bad heel blisters. The hot spots hit so fast by the time I stopped to change socks, heels were bleeding. My fault because of the type of sock, but don't know how the boot would fit with just a liner type of sock. So, I would not wear these boots again during the summer.

Kayland MXT

2008-07-04 10:46:12

Reviewer:Kalen from Moab, Utah

Overall Rating:

In addition to this boot I tried on the Garmont Tower GT, and Scarpa Escape GTX. The MXT was the most comfortable for me, since it felt wider, and the slightly lower cuff was easier on my sensitive ankles. It was also the only one with a full leather (albeit suede) upper. Out of the box, but with custom orthotics, I backpacked 6 miles (day 1), kicked steps and cramponed up and down 2,000 feet of variable conditions snow and another 1,500 feet of talus (day 2), and hiked out (day 3). Comfortable and dry the whole way, no blisters, hot spots, or any other discomfort. Having a slightly lower profile, and more flex, than a full-on mountain boot made them more comfortable for hiking, but they were still plenty supportive on snow. My only gripes are that the tongue bellows are a little tight (for getting the boot on) and don't go all the way to the top, and I would prefer hooks rather than holes for the top two lace attachments, since I have to unthread them to get the boots on and off. Overall I am very happy with these - comfortable, light, rugged, versatile.

Kayland Vertigo High

2008-04-22 09:52:04

Reviewer:Gary H from philadelphia, pa

Overall Rating:

Do not stop at A...go to Z for Zappos - First things first. Zappos is absolutely the best thing going. Start there first and hope they have what you are looking for. That being said... on to the boots. I had a very hard time finding the right size. Luckily Zappos never complained about my numerous returns. After much consideration, I picked what I thought was the right size. Several sort walks of a few miles each convinced me otherwise. These boots are a very difficult fit properly. They probably work best for narrow feet. Mine are a D width. They are quite stiff and have a hard feel. Would they break in to feel better? Maybe, but unfortunately I do not think I can wear them enough to find out. The fault is mine alone. Zappos is tops!!

Kayland Arya Low eVENT®

2008-04-20 22:14:27

Reviewer:Anonymous from Washington State

Overall Rating:

Shermm - These are great light-hikes! I have wide forefeet, narrow heels, and high arches. The most comfortable light-hikes I've worn.

Kayland Vertigo High

2008-04-06 10:28:36

Reviewer:E.jank from MI

Overall Rating:

Best Boot EVER! I've worn these 9 hours a day for the past three months, over various terrain and my feet never felt better. Waterproof, breathable and comfortable right out of the box, can’t ask for anything better.

Kayland Vertigo High

2008-04-05 13:15:59

Reviewer:Ted A from Anchorage, Alaska

Overall Rating:

Vertigo High - Super fit and comfort right out of the box. These boots walk very nicely and have great traction on ice and rock. Great fit, supple, yet supportive. Roomy toe box, great support of heel area. Best boots I've ever owned.

Kayland Vertigo High

2008-03-10 02:28:24

Reviewer:Jerv from South Dakota

Overall Rating:

Great boot, light on the ankle support. Great boot. It fits nice and snug around the foot. Made of light leather upper, yet I get the feeling that they will be very durable. Here’s my gripe. Poor ankle support. The material around the collar is very thin and when you try to wrench the color tight around your ankles, it sometimes pinches without adding much support. I do contract field work for the Forest Service here in the Black Hills and I'm very dependent on ankle support. If you can live without ankle support, you couldn't get a better boot. It holds your foot firmly in the foot bed, excellent traction, very waterproof, well built, and medium lightweight.

Kayland Apex XT

2008-02-29 09:27:22

Reviewer:Dane from NW

Overall Rating:

Old school fit space age materials, awesome performance - I have a couple pair of Sportiva’s and they are nice boots. But never gotten the perfect fit I'd like from any of them. With the ease of shipping and returns at Zappos I decided to venture out and try some boots that I can't easily obtain locally in Seattle. I was looking for a light weight, rigid sole technical boot to climb in, steep ice, rock and hard mixed. This particular Kayland is very light, a full 1# lighter than my Sportiva Nepal Evos. The sole is more rigid, important with my size 12 feet, and more comfortable with a better fit. I have a very narrow heel with a normal width foot. Out of the box with the first lace up they felt "right". More like old school leather boots that fit but would take some break in than the current crop of synthetics that feel good right off but never really fit all that well long term. But little break in required. Huge rocker on the sole to help out on the totally rigid sole while walking. Almost too much so you'll want to make sure your crampons fit securely. (Mine do but it is close). Not the warmest boot out there but wasn't expecting much. Fine for anything in the lower 48 or summer in Canada and easy to lug around when they weigh as much as some of the current "fruit boots". The Apex is so good for fit and performance I'll be checking out the higher end models as well. These boots were a pleasant surprise and a "best buy" (1/2 the price of some of the Sportiva I own) for my feet and use.

Kayland Vertigo High

2008-02-06 12:09:15

Reviewer:Rick from Rockaway, NJ

Overall Rating:

Great boot, great fit - These boots went straight from the box to the trail. Fit was great. Toe box was very roomy. They now have about 25 miles of hiking in NJ winter mud & streams and have kept me dry and comfortable. Event liner is great - helps sweat evaporate and keeps the stream water in the stream. Highly recommended!

Kayland Vertigo High

2008-01-02 11:55:24

Reviewer:Anonymous from utah

Overall Rating:

Kayland Vertigo High product review - Excellent construction, obviously a quality product. I liked the features advertised and other online reviews indicated it had an average fit. I have an average foot and found the fit perfect. did a moderate hike with the boot right out of the box and had no problems. I wear it with a thin sock liner and light hiking sock. Can snug down the lacing for no heal lift, generous toe box allows wiggle room and circulation for toes. Can see why this product has received the awards it has.