User Review: Van Gorkom Custom Hiking Boots

Van Gorkom Custom Hiking Boots
Above: The current Custom Hiking Boots, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed October 21, 2004 by Erik Landahl

Rating:
Materials: Leather
Use: Steep rough trails with heavy pack; Scrambling; Long hikes
Break-in Period: 5 days
Weight: 3 pounds each
Price Paid: $583 U.S.

Van Gorkom hiking boots are a miracle. After five days of breaking in by wearing them everywhere, I took them for their maiden hike. I carried 36 pounds up a 4-mile 3000 foot vertical gain. Uphill no pain, total comfort. And downhill–no pain, total comfort.

The last mile I practically jogged downhill. And this is with a broken big toe, by the way. But absolutely no pain! Not even those little nagging "normal" pains like where the tongue slips and digs into your shin, or the back pad rubs against your ankle. No pain at all!

Understand that the last year has been full of bruised bloody toes. Lost toenails. Blisters. Skin rubbed raw. Tried several high end off-the-shelf boots. Tried adapting boots with felt pads. Nothing worked.

I took to hiking with Chaco sandals to eliminate the pain. Of course the open, slightly loose nature of the front of the sandals eventually led to me tripping on a rock with 55 pounds on my back, slamming a tree with my foot and breaking my big toe. That day I began to accept that my love of hiking and climbing would demand constant pain.

Enter Van Gorkom Boots. Charles Van Gorkom is a master bootmaker. And when he gives his word about your custom boots being perfect for you, he certainly means it. Thank you Van Gorkom Boots. My hiking life looks bright again. I will recommend Van Gorkom Boots to any hiker, backpacker or climber I meet.

Kind regards,
Erik Landahl

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