These New Hiking Boots Are the First of Their Kind

Three years ago, Nike made all kinds of headlines with the release of the Go FlyEase. Thanks to a bi-stable hinge in the sole combined with a rubber strap spanning the length of the shoe, this revolutionary footwear could be donned without using your hands. 

Unfortunately, the buzz of this accessibility breakthrough — and GP100 honoree — was somewhat dampened by the fact that sneakerheads snapped up much of the initial drop and they ended up on resale sites at hugely inflated prices, preventing the people who could really use them from getting them easily.

For its part, Nike did eventually restock. But all along, what we didn’t hear enough about was the fact that this shoe was the product of a long-running partnership with HandsFree Labs. And that HandsFree is the parent company of a lower-profile brand that was already making excellent easy-access sneakers.

That company is called Kizik, and this week the ever-expanding Utah-based footwear brand has made another big stride with the launch of full-on hiking boots, the Women’s Sierra and the Men’s Boulder.

Kizik

Kizik Men’s Boulder

• $169 at Kizik

Accessible for everyone

In truth, these new additions are just the logical next step for Kizik, which after years of prototype development and patent filings was founded by “serial entrepreneur” Mike Pratt in 2017.

Since then, the brand has consistently innovated and iterated on its basic technology, which allows everyone — not just those with disabilities — to slip on shoes in seconds.

The motivation is simple. “There’s more to life than tying your shoes,” states the brand’s Our Story page. “That’s what drove us to revolutionize the footwear industry: to make every day easier, for everyone. It’s a technology that’s life-changing for some and joy-sparking for all. Who likes tying their shoes, anyway?”

With that inclusive approach, Kizik has grown steadily in both its size and the variety of its product. As of last week, the brand offered a dozen different sneakers for men and for women, plus some light hikers and various moon boots called the Juno that tend to sell out fast. They also make six different shoes for kids. 

Now that portfolio has grown by two, with this week’s launch of the Boulder and Sierra.

Booting up

Of course, an inevitable question arises any time a brand enters a new category (even one that’s a pretty natural outgrowth of what they already do): Does the product cut the mustard?

At first blush, these new boots look promising. As you can see in the video above, the brand’s patented External Flex Arch works pretty smoothly, compressing and then springing back to let you slide cleanly into the shoes. (It’s not shown in the video, but to get out, you simply step on the heel of one shoe and slip your foot out, then do the same on the other side.)

Kizik

From a technical standpoint, the qualities may not be exactly overwhelming — no fancy ingredients such as Gore-Tex or Vibram or Boost — but they seem solid. The upper is made of ballistic nylon and nubuck leather, offering both comfort and durability. 

Underfoot, there’s a supportive midsole and Arch Form insole, to provide a bit of bounce back with each step while naturally cushioning your foot. To stay steady on uneven terrain, the shoes offer sturdy, full-rubber outsoles with grooves and lugs arranged to provide multi-directional traction. 

Last but not least, of course, is the eye test. And here’s where we may be most impressed. Because at a glance you would never guess that these boots are potentially life-changing for some folks. They simply look stylish yet rugged from street to the trails. No matter what your entry point is, that’s a pretty winning formula for all.

Availability and pricing

The Men’s Boulder is available now in two colorways (White Pepper and Blackout) for $169. The Women’s Sierra is available now in three colorways (Olive Green, Latte and Black/White) for $169.

Kizik

Kizik Women’s Sierra

• $169 at Kizik

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