Magnum Phantom V Lite 8” Side Zip Boots

Phantom, the latest boot model in the Magnum range, incorporates many new features and materials, making it ultra lightweight, comfortable and innovative.

The boots’ uppers are made of full-grain leather and ballistic nylon and have a wicking lining, while the carbon rubber outsole is cleated to give a good grip.  For comfort and shock absorption the sole has an EVA filler and a non-metallic dual density lasting board (mid sole) instead of a metal shank. This lack of metal in the boots means they will not set off metal detectors.

The “comfort collar” of the Phantom is ergonomically shaped and incorporates “imprint memory foam” which moulds to your body in use and then returns to shape once you take the boots off.  Also incorporated into the tongue and sidewalls of the boots, this foam relieves pressure and is breathable for extra comfort. The lacing system uses 8 sets of non-composite material eyelets over a broad gusseted tongue, and the “eyelet strip” has two flex notches for ease of movement.

The most impressive feature of the new Phantom Boots has to be the side zip on the inside edge of the boot.  It is truly effective.

This tough, curved, coil zip, follows the edge of the “lacing strip”, has a Velcro tab at the top to stop any slippage and a slightly stretchy gusset behind the zip to keep out any seepage that gets through the zip.  The curve of the zip, its size and position, allows you to put on the boots and take them off with the laces fully and properly tensioned for comfort and support – which is something I have never found with any previous zip system in high leg boots!

Comfortable, lightweight and with lots of excellent features and useful design points, the Magnum Phantom V Lite 8” Side Zip Boots come in sizes 6 to 14 (mens), 3 to 8 (ladies) and cost around £75.  My only – minor – criticisms of the boots are that the supplied laces are enormously long and the linings, visible at the collar, are in a violent shade of blue.