First Impressions: Lems Boulder Boot Leather

Sometimes it seems like a company reads your mind...

Why I'm Stoked

Ever since I transitioned to barefoot shoes I've been looking for a minimalist leather boot with a wide toebox and good style. Lems apparently caught my vibes and has made a boot that checks all the above boxes, thus my excitement that I'm getting to review a pair!

The Basics

Lems is a smaller company based in Colorado that specializes in minimalist adventure centric shoes. For me at least, the Boulder Boot has been their stand out offering, especially now that they offer a full leather version.

The leather upper was super supple right out of the box and gets all the bonus points for flannel lining! If your vegan, they have a canvas option, but, in my opinion, leather is harder to beat for look, feel and durability. The style is definitively oldschool, giving it a solid trail to brewery vibe.

The sole is what really sets these apart from your standard stiff clunky boot. It's a light weight, super flexible, injection molded rubber with just enough cushion to protect from rocks etc.

Fit & Feel

(So far I've been on few solid local hikes and a decent amount of around town errands with the boots. So my following assessments are reflective of initial quality.)

These are easily the most out of box comfortable boots I've worn. The upper and sole are super flexible, letting my feet and ankles be, well... feet and ankles. The toe box is super roomy, giving my unruly toes space to splay and flex and extend without feeling sloshy. The heel cup feels nice and secure on technical terrain, even with the laces tied pretty loose. The tread gripped well on loose dirt, mud, rocks and snow.

They really did a great job of moving with me, allowing a nice natural gait and never giving off that "Wish i could scramble up that but I'm wearing boots" vibe.

I did have to return my first pair to size up, but customer service was on point and the exchange process was quick and easy.

Closing Thoughts

These are boots that I'm actually looking forward to wearing! Which if you know me, thats high praise! I'm excited to see how the leather breaks in and I'm interested to see how well the light weight sole holds up.

If your looking for a minimalist boot with some cool classic style, this is a great boot for you. Honestly, I think it may be the only boot for you, as theres nothing else on the market like it!

Stay tuned for long term updates for the Boulder Boot as I really put em to the test this winter.

Also dropping soon... the one year update on my Xero Shoes Prios, Earthrunners Adventure series sandal review, my first Impressions of the Vivo Barefoot Primus Trail SGs and 2 very different yet equally rad packs!