Owner Review: NothinZ Closed Toe Shoe by Brian Stoner

My first OR is finally ready to be edited. Thank you very much for all the helpful info on BGT on getting started!
Brian Stoner


NOTHINZ CLOSED TOE SHOESBY BRIAN STONERORSeptember 24, 2015 TESTER INFORMATION NAME: Brian StonerEMAIL: brianhstoner-/[email protected]: 28LOCATION: Northeast Ohio, USAGENDER: MHEIGHT: 6' 3" (1.91 m)WEIGHT: 170 lb (77.10 kg) I started backpacking in 2011, mostly enjoying moderate hikes of about 10 miles and a night or two in the woods. I like to pack ilghtweight to make the most of the few opportunities I get to be on the trail. PRODUCT INFORMATION Manufacturer: NothinZYear of Manufacture: 2015Manufacturer's Website: <<HYPERLINK GOES HERE - "http://www.nothinz.com/" LINK TEXT = "NothinZ (manufacturer's website)">>MSRP: US$31.95Listed Weight: 17.8oz (503 g) Size 13 (pair)Measured Weight: 14.6 oz (414 g) Size 12 (pair)Manufacturer Description: This popular alternative to our best-selling polymer shoe is a little less breezy than the original. When the weather turns cooler or wetter, this closed top version allows the same great cushy comfort with less exposure in front. Waterproof, durable and lightweight, great for hiking and backpacking, they make walking on air feel possible every day of the year.
 <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 1"  IMAGE CAPTION = "The NothinZ Closed Toe shoe.">> FIELD USE Intended Use: I bought these primarily as lightweight camp shoes. I have found them to be useful footwear for multiple uses though.
Actual Experience: I walked on a leaf covered trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I have spent many hours walking around in these shoes in many different environments including mud, grassy aeas, and standing water. I have not yet been able to use these shoes in cold weather yet, and I have spent some time in very warm, humid weather with these shoes. I have spent roughly equal time with the strap behind my foot as well as ahead of my foot. I have not removed the straps for more than a minute or so just to try that feature.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 2"  IMAGE CAPTION = "Removable straps are attached with a snap.">>


Sizing and Fit: Generally, I buy shoes in either 11 or 12 in men's sizes. I , I bought a size 11. Shorlty after trying them on and walking around a bit I decided a 12 would better suit me for comfort. I purchased the shoes directly from the manufacturer's website and received prompt support and the larger size. I left the shoes in the bed of my truck one sunny day and returned to find the shoes (particularly the right shoe) fitting more snug than I remember. Upon measuring the shoes I believe the right shoe did contract some at least compared the left shoe. I believe it is most likely due to lengthy exposure to heat or sunlight.
Features: The shoes come in numerous sizes from ladies 5 up to mens 13. They come in these colors: Navy, Chocolate Brown, Eggshell White, Garden Clog, and Midnight Black. I selected the Midnight Black. The Closed Toe version is appropriately named, and the manufacturer has other models available. I prefered the Closed Toe to keep more dirt and water out of the shoe. The shoe is open at the back with a snap-on strap that can help keep the foot in the shoe. The strap is removable. The entire shoe is polymer material. The tread is adequately deep and has only shown minor wear over my period of use. I would prefer a rubber outsole but the added weight may actually detract from one of the key features. My opinion is that the external size of the shoes seem larger than other comparable polymer clog shoes. I have not found this to be a problem functionally and I don't particularly mind the appearance.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 3"  IMAGE CAPTION = "Tread on my NothinZ is capable but has shown some wear.">>


I find these shoes extremely comfortable so long as my feet are dry. When the inside of the shoe becomes wet I prefer not to walk long distances as I begin to worry about blisters.  Walking around on warm or sunny days, the toe area seemed to warm up quickly and my feet were sweating. The Diamond Breeze model may keep feet less sweaty on warm days, but I preferred the Closed Toe model to better keep out dust, rocks, and water splashing. The shoe performs as expected and does reduce the amount of material entering the shoe. Over time, use in dusty, muddy, or wet conditions, material or water does build up in the toe of the shoe. The shoes are able to be slipped on in both strap positions. I was surprised and pleased to find that.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 4"  IMAGE CAPTION = "I can slip these on in either strap position.">>


Wearing these shoes on the trail is better than I expected. I assumed they my suffer from a lack of traction or support in the back or sides. On the trail I was hiking there were small hills with maybe 25% grade and multiple layers of leaves under my feet. I did not notice a problematic loss of traction or support compared to tennis shoes. I was wearing socks at the time also.
I also considered the possibility of these shoes as useful for water crossings on the trail. Unfortanately I have not been able to test this on moving water, but in standing water (above ankle deep) I found that the shoes remain in place with good traction even without the strap behind my foot.
The shoes do not compress for easy packing, and this is probably the biggest drawback for backpacking use. I have found that attaching them to the outside of the pack is simple using the strap as a loop. However, the strap is removable and could become disconnected on the trail and the shoe could be lost. I have yet to experience this, and I plan to find a improved solution for external pack attachment.
The shoes are extremely easy to clean just by rinsing with water. The polymer material of the shoe does not hold water so they dry quickly. The interior of the shoe can hold water for a little while however.




 SUMMARY The NothinZ Closed Toe shoe is incredibly lightweight, comfortable, and utilitarian option for camp shoes, and potentially water crossings. As a backup footwear option on the trail, these would outperform flip flops in wearability, and are about half the weight of tennis shoes. My expectations of the Closed Toe feature were met, but all of my other expectations about the performance of the shoe were exceeded. THINGS I LIKE Very LightweightExtremely comfortableUseful for short hikes, water crossings, backup footwearTraction and support exceeded expectationsAble to be attached to pack externallyEasy to cleanMaterial of shoe does not hold water
 THINGS I DON'T LIKE Unable to compress for internal packingOpen back still allows debris and moisture in eventuallyPotential to shrink in heat or sunlightPolymer material for tread   This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.Copyright 2015.  All rights reserved.