What if you dropped all of your preconceptions about what an outdoor boot should be. What if you left behind the notion that a boot must be either comfortable or completely waterproof. Strip away the Nubuck leather, multi-directional lugs large enough to devour small critters; strip away the pretense of it all…
Instead, replace those notions with a single boot. One boot that is truly waterproof, truly breathable and comfort rated from temperate to sub-zero conditions. Enter the Jamison from Bogs Footwear.
For those unfamiliar with the Bogs® brand, here’s a quick breakdown. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Bogs crafts shoes where a few degrees can be the difference between a snowstorm, a week of rain or weekend of sunshine. In other words, the perfect setting for crafting footwear versatile enough to face whatever Mother Nature tosses your way. Their motto is best summed up in the words of Bogs’ founder and CEO Bill Combs: “Make better shoes every day. It’s a tough, never-ending pursuit.”
The crew at Bogs were kind enough to send a pair of their new Jamison boots for our field team to review.
On Fit and Performance..
Waterproof and ruggedly capable, the Jamison is available for both men and women. Simply lace up the perfect fit and head out into the wild with complete confidence knowing that you’re wearing a boot prepared for the moment your sunny day flashes into a thunderstorm.
What makes these boots unique is a 4-way stretch neoprene upper that seals out moisture, yet breathes away sweat. The neoprene also acts as an insulating layer, gathering valuable heat inside the boots. Match the neoprene with Bogs durable hand-lasted rubber and the end result is that the Jamison boots are truly 100% waterproof and warm to subzero temps.
Add in Bogs’ New Channel Air technology which maximizes airflow and wicks away moisture and rest assured your feet will remain comfortable when you decide to tack on a few more mountain miles.
One of our favorite features is the wide toe box which provided our field team two primary benefits. First, the spacious toe box allows the forefoot room to rest in a more natural position so you can move freely and not feel constricted. Secondly it gives the Jamison a wider base providing a stable platform with each step on the trail, a feature our field team greatly appreciated.
When it comes to outsoles we are admittedly partial to Vibram, but the design team at Bogs has taken massive strides towards swaying our vote. The Jamison’s sole features a low-profile, diamond-shaped lug pattern that is not only self cleaning but sets the stage for a comfortable base. The slip resistant, non-marking, siped outsole gripped like glue on slickrock, however it did prove to be slightly slippery on slushy winter trails.
A pull tab at the heel helps with easy on so it’s a simple choice for all-weather fun. And while it’s important to remember that we should choose hiking gear for safety, not fashion, it was an added benefit when one observer complimented our black Jamison’s noting they looked like something a Navy SEAL team member might wear.
Room for Improvement..
From the moment you slip them on you’ll know that the Jamison is a different kind of boot. And while this boot has a number of features we appreciated, there were several critiques our field team walked away with at the end of the trial period:
-The first comes in terms of sizing. The Jamison only comes in full sizes which may prove a bit difficult for those who are true ½ sizes.
-The contoured fit featuring a wide toe box also features a narrow heel in an attempt to provide greater support and comfort. Unfortunately from our perspective the narrow heel failed to lock in the heel securely unless the laces were cranked in tight.
-The Jamison provides solid off-trail stability but lacks torsional stiffness under heavier loads.
-While our team appreciated the waterproof and breathable qualities provided by the materials there were two downsides worth noting. First, it fails to provide the strong ankle support you’ll need for aggressive assaults on the mountain. Secondly, we did find that it did create some hot spots on the ankle during the break in period.
The Bottom Line..
Versatility to trek mountain trails, hike through lingering snow, and forge through run off, mud and snowmelt, the Jamison is Bogs “go-to” answer for the outdoors environment. While these boots may lack the stiff ankle support you need for more aggressive backpacking tours, they are a great boot if your intent is to crush weekend trails or slosh through wet and sloppy city streets. Through it all, the Jamison will keep your feet dry and comfortable.