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Here's the second one.
Ahnu Coburn Boot Owner Test
Manufacturer: Ahnu Coburn ankle boots Year of Manufacture: 2014Manufacturer's Website: <<LINK 1>> ahnu.comMSRP: US$ $164.00Listed Weight: ?? oz (?? g) 16 oz (454 g) each bootMeasured Weight: ?? oz (?? g) 17 oz (482 g) each bootOther details: Ankle height, good support
Conditions: Summer, fall, and winter in the high Sierra. Trail height varied from 3,000 ft. (914 m) to about 9,000 ft. (2743 m). Weather varied from warm to hot summer days down to 28 degrees F (-2.2 degrees C). Trails were typical high Sierra trails (if such a thing exists). Portions were quite steep, other areas of each trail climbed then fell, and some were almost flat.
Trails used: PCT,Grouse Ridge trail, Pioneer trail, South Yuba trail, Glacier Lake trail, Loney Meadow/Rock Lakes/Penner trail. Total distances covered to date(all trails in these boots) 126 miles (203 K)
General Observations:
I bought these boots after my fiasco trying to use White's Smoke Jumper boots as my trekking foot wear. When I picked one boot up off the display in the mountineering store I was in, I could hardly believe how little they weighed compared to the Smoke Jumpers (5 lbs. 6 oz., or 2.44 kg for the pair, just to refresh all your memories). They felt good on my feet from the first moment I put them on and walked around in them after I had been fitted and tried on two different pair.
Field tests:
I tried my new boots out the day after purchase on the Donner Pass segment of the PCT. I kept the hike somewhat short due to the unknowns associated with placing new boots on your feet, i.e. tightness, inflexibility, blisters created by unforgiving uppers, etc. My first hike was about 12 miles (19.3 km) or 6 miles in, 6 miles out. The boots did not need breaking in! I was amazed. With all the boots I've owned, and that is a great many pair, I have never had boots that did not require breaking in. The boots were comfortable, had good ankle support which I need due to a couple of old sports and firefighting injuries, and had a firm but comfortable sole. The boots did not tend to "roll" when I stepped on round rocks in the trail. This has been a problem for me when I have tried to use running shoes for trekking. I roll an ankle with great ease leaving me almost unable to walk at times. I've discovered that this problem is somewhat common, though most trekkers use low top hiking shoes or light weight running shoes with no adverse affect. In any case, my ankles need some support, so these boots are a good fit. The boots worked very well on this first outing.
Subsequent to this hike, I've used these boots on an additional 114 miles (184 km) approximately of Sierra trails as noted above. The boots are light, give very good support, and do not make my feet tired. They are also waterproof, as much as any lace up boot ever is. They have kept my feet dry in wet weather and boggy areas.
Summary:
I would recommend these boots to anyone who likes to use a low top boot for hiking. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing ankle support as they keep the ankles upright with a not very great cost in weight. For someone like me, one with damaged ankles, they are excellent.
Conparison:
Ahnu Coburns boots 17 oz. (484 g) each boot Ahnu Sugarpine trail shoes 12.9 oz. ( 366 g) per shoe (my wifes hiking shoe just for weight comparison) My running shoes 11.5 oz. (326 g) per shoe As you can see, I'm giving up some weigh, but not much for the ankle support I get. Great boots! I recommend them for everyone. Ken Hale