Fieldman Boots

Though not in the position to throw a lot of money at footwear, I also appreciate that you get what you pay for! Today most, quality, European boots are edging up to the £200 mark if not more. Excellent build and design but unless you are walking up mountains everyday then maybe a bit over the top. However, with value for money in mind I come on to the subject of this review – Jack Pyke’s Fieldman boots.

HI OR LOW?

Jack Pyke has certainly upgraded its footwear selection this year with the introduction of the Hunter boot, and pretty much everything that applies to them also applies to the Fieldman with the exception of the height and weight. As they are ankle-length as opposed to hi-leg! Either model is a quantum leap forward from earlier products and the build looks not unlike Lowa’s GTX Hunters, which is no bad thing either.

They are made of full grain brown leather, with a high rubber rand that wraps around the whole lower and adds some protection to the toe and heel areas too. The height is generous and well up to puddle depth and even more so at the back! The Vibram Trek sole shows the classic, 3-lug cleat pattern, which provides good grip yet is open enough not to clog badly and is easy to clean too. The toe and heel sections are re-enforced and there’s a low instep.

GOOD GAPE

Moving up the tongue is well padded and ¾-stitched in, so again offering good protection and allowing a low wading ability too. I reckon you could easily stand in 4-5” of water with no ingress of H2O at all! There’s a generous gusset either side, which gives a good gape when the laces are undone so allowing easy putting on and taking off. This is aided at the back by a finger pull loop, which is big enough to be practical. Perhaps this is not such an issue on an ankle-height design, as they are much easier to get on and off than a hi-leg style.

Lacing consists of four swivel loops on the lower section and three speed hooks on the upper; here typically the lower one of the three is set back to aid flexing. At the rear the cuff is well padded and from the box the Fieldman came up as comfortable with no real need for a break-in period. Inside is a Hydrogard, breathable and waterproof membrane, again the boots proved comfortable and my feet did not overheat. Also included is 200-grams of Thinsulate insulation, which with a decent pair of socks on makes them warm in the winter. 

Finally there’s an Agion antimicrobial treatment, which is no bad thing if your feet are strapped up in a pair of boots all day long!

Pound for pound the Fieldman is a good design and services those who prefer an ankle-height build over a hi-leg. If you want more lower leg protection then a set of Jack Pyke’s Waterproof (Breathatex) Gaiters can be added. Pricewise the Fieldman works out £10 cheaper than the Hunter, so the choice is yours but either is a good bet!

PRICE: £109.95