User Review: Garmont Flash XCR

Garmont Flash XCR
Above: The current Flash XCR, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed May 9, 2008 by Luke 'Yak'

Rating:
Price Paid: $269aud

A mixed bag.

The comfort and response to movement is superb, you can do a lot of walking with these in comfort. I've owned two pairs and love them for the insulation and comfort, and they've been from Iran & Afghanistan in summer (including a mudslide)to high Kyrgyz mountains and the deep Russian winter to the Papua New Guinea and the kokoda trail and sulfur of Rabaul.

The big achilles heel (pardon the phrase) of these boots is water.
If you go through even the shallowest of puddles or even rain or walking through snow or deeper mud your shoes fill with water, and they do not dry so soft skin sores and blisters are a very real consideration and can be quite dangerous if you're reliant on your feet in dangerous or remote situations.

The other issue is the glue used in the sole.
Both pairs eventually developed cracks which let water flood in from tiny puddles water logging your feet. The first at the front, the second at the heal (which fell off)

But I've put mine through a hell of a lot for any boot.

Comfort and wear = 5 Stars
Durability = 2*