Lems Primal 2 Shoe Review
Among functional footwear, the Lems Primal 2 is a true standout. Hailed for its foot-friendly design, comfort, and overall attractiveness,... Read more
When it comes to functional outdoor footwear, the Lems Boulder Boot is a true pioneer. Touted for its many impressive design features (as well as its comfort), the Boulder Boot has long been a go-to option for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to flash some style around town. Baked into this lightweight hiking boot are a number of design features that are intended to let your foot do the walking, so to speak, and this can have profound implications for the health and function of your feet and your entire musculoskeletal system. In this Lems Boulder Boot review, we examine this widely-revered boot in greater detail to gain a better sense of its merits and any potential pitfalls. We also discuss the various ways that you can use this wide toe box boot, as well as who it is most well-suited for.
Read on for our full review of the venerable Lems Boulder Boot!
The Lems Boulder Boot was constructed with optimal foot function in mind and incorporates a variety of foot-health-positive design features, the three most notable of which are the following:
This unique blend of design features makes the Lems Boulder Boot an appealing option for those interested in building stronger and sturdier feet, practicing a more natural gait, or enjoying the kind of foot freedom of motion that is so crucial for achieving optimal foot health over the long term.
In addition to the notable design features mentioned above, the Lems Boulder Boot possesses a number of other favorable attributes or elements, including the following:
The Lems Boulder Boot is awash in beneficial design features and excels by minimizing its impact on your foot and toes. Indeed, the Boulder Boot lets your foot do the work (instead of offloading it to the boot itself), which is the mark of a truly evolved and strength-promoting footwear option.
SHOP LEMS BOULDER BOOTSVersatile by nature, the Lems Boulder Boot cannot (and should not) be pigeonholed in terms of how it must be used. Indeed, it’s a boot that covers a wide range of possible uses, everything from multi-day treks in the mountains to urban explorations in concrete jungles. A lot of people, including us, use the Lems Boulder Boot on the trails as a go-to hiking boot, especially in the shoulder seasons when it feels more appropriate to be wearing a closed-toe footwear option. But its lightweight and breathable nature lends itself well to warm-weather outings, too, and we wouldn’t hesitate to strike off on a long walk in these boots on even the hottest of days.
What’s also surprising about the Lems Boulder Boot is that it makes for an excellent running shoe. It helps expand our definition of what a running shoe is (or could be), which is something we really appreciate about this model and something that consumers in general would be wise to ponder (given the injurious conventional running shoe options that are so ubiquitous in the marketplace today). Mountain bikers also like the Boulder Boot, not only for its foot-friendly qualities but also because it protects the ankles from the whip and scratch of trailside foliage. For many mountain bikers, a Lems Boulder Boot and Catalyst Pedals pairing is a truly special marriage that improves ride quality and promotes trailhead conversations about optimal pedaling mechanics and foot health.
So, the active outdoor nature of these boots is well established, but they can also serve you well in more casual situations, such as short trips around town to your favorite coffee shop or for grocery runs to your local supermarket. They pair nicely with a variety of casual wear and offer you, the user, an attractive footwear option that looks right at home on city streets. The Lems Boulder Boot really does bridge the gap between functional, trail-worthy footwear and eye-catching urban style, and you should feel confident using this boot in a wide variety of situations and scenarios.
One of the great things about the Lems Boulder Boot is that it is well-suited to a variety of foot shapes and users. Those who are experienced with minimalist footwear will find the accommodating Boulder Boot to be sufficiently lightweight and foot-friendly in all the ways that truly matter, and it offers those with strong, resilient feet the opportunity to experience excellent ground feel. At the same time, new adopters of functional, healthy-foot-shaped footwear can use the Lems Boulder Boot to start down the path of foot strengthening and rehabilitation. The Boulder Boot, when used judiciously in this population and for this purpose, can serve as a sort of training tool to restore optimal foot and toe function with each and every step.
For those hoping to prevent or address particular foot or toe problems, the Lems Boulder Boot can, in many cases, offer the opportunity to realize much improved musculoskeletal health. The Boulder Boot is not a panacea, but its anatomically appropriate toe box, zero-drop platform, and flexible sole help alleviate a lot of the forces that act upon the foot and toes in conventional footwear and that cause passive toe deformities and other foot problems. When properly introduced and when used in conjunction with other natural footgear and natural foot health approaches, the Boulder Boot can be helpful in preventing or addressing bunions, bunionettes, hammertoes, other types of crooked toes, flat feet, ingrown toenails, neuromas, plantar fasciosis, shin splints, and runner’s knee, among other problems.
Note: Always consult with your physician before adopting any boot for the purposes of managing an existing condition; your foot care physician is in the best possible position to know if the particular model you’re considering is right for you and your situation.
Durability is a key consideration for any pair of boots you intend to put to work on the trail, in the yard, or around town. The durability of the Lems Boulder Boot varies, of course, based on individual use and care, but it's generally known for its robust construction, and that’s certainly been our experience. These boots are designed with high-quality materials, such as full-grain leather or 1200 denier nylon uppers and an underrated hardwearing rubber outsole, which contribute to their typically great longevity. Many users, including us, appreciate the well-stitched, water-resistant (or waterproof) uppers of this minimalist walking boot that enhance resilience in varying climatic conditions. Proper maintenance, such as regular cleaning and conditioning of the leather (for the Boulder Boot versions that sport full or partial leather uppers), can significantly extend the lifespan of the boots. While some wear and tear is inevitable with any footwear, we’ve found that the Lems Boulder Boot is quite durable and a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking a minimalist, versatile, and long-lasting boot.
SHOP LEMS BOULDER BOOTSThere are currently six unique versions of the Lems Boulder Boot available for purchase. They are all based on the same last, or foot mold, so the shape and overall construction of the boot, as well as the fit and feel, are comparable across all six iterations. The principal difference between them (with a couple of notable exceptions) is in the upper material used. The current available options are:
The Lems Boulder Boot version you select may largely depend on how you intend to use the boots. Those interested more in the fashion aspect of the boots may gravitate toward the nylon or nylon + leather options, though these can also work great on the trails. The leather options are excellent for treks of all lengths and durations and stand up particularly well in challenging environmental conditions. The Boulder Boot Mid, with its lower-cut style, offers you a different look but the same beneficial design features and versatility as the original Boulder Boot. And the Boulder Boot Grip, with its unique high-traction outsole, is a top performer in all kinds of climates and terrain and is a great option for those wanting to maximize grip and stability.
The Lems Boulder Boot pairs nicely with other footgear intended to promote optimal foot and toe health. The Boulder Boot’s roomy toe box and completely flat sole from heel to toe allow you, the wearer, to incorporate a wide range of other beneficial footgear, including Correct Toes toe spacers, Injinji toe socks, Pedag metatarsal pads, Naboso insoles, and Tuli’s heel cups, among other items. You can use these items individually with the Boulder Boot or altogether as a comprehensive approach to rehabilitating your foot and toes. To best accommodate all this helpful footgear, especially Naboso insoles, we suggest removing the included (optional) insole.
Using the above items in conjunction with the Lems Boulder Boot—and using other helpful items such as BlackBoard training tools, Zensah compression sleeves, and the Naboso Neuro Ball alongside of it—offers the possibility of profound and enduring foot health benefits in addition to the restoration of normal foot and toe anatomy and function. With this footgear combination on your feet, it’s common to experience some observable foot health gains quite soon after adoption, including a certain degree of toe realignment and toe spacing, with additional gains in foot health and function occurring over the span of many weeks and months.
In using this combination of footgear, many people also experience a sense of increased foot strength within the first few weeks of use. Weight-bearing with the full suite of natural footgear on your feet, especially in the first few weeks and months of use, may yield the sensation that your foot has undergone a strenuous workout. This is a normal sensation and indicates that your foot is undergoing important adaptations. Pain is never a normal sensation, however, and so if you’re experiencing discomfort with some or all of the footgear (which is rare), your best bet is to temporarily discontinue use and consult a foot care professional in your area. A gradual and measured introduction of natural footgear is a key consideration in achieving the best possible outcomes.
SHOP CORRECT TOES SHOP OTHER HELPFUL FOOTGEARTo get the most out of your Lems Boulder Boots, the manufacturer recommends that you order a half-size up from your normal US shoe size in all models (except for the Boulder Boot Grip, for which they recommend ordering your normal US shoe size). For example, if you normally wear a women's US size 8 shoe, consider ordering an 8.5 in all models of the Lems Boulder Boot (or an 8 in the Boulder Boot Grip). Or, if you normally wear a men’s US size 11 shoe, consider ordering an 11.5 in all models of the Lems Boulder Boot (or an 11 in the Boulder Boot Grip). The manufacturer also notes that if you plan to wear your Waterproof Boulder Boots with thick socks, you might consider sizing up one full size instead of just a half-size.
If you are between sizes, order up to the next available size. If you're on the fence about what size to order, consider ordering both sizes and then simply return the size that doesn't fit as well for a refund. This page provides additional sizing information for all Lems models, including all iterations of the Boulder Boot, and includes helpful charts and diagrams intended to guide you in determining the best possible size for you.
Sizing Tip #1: To create additional roominess within the boot, we suggest removing the included (optional) boot liner/insole; this action does not, in any way, affect the performance of the boot.
Sizing Tip #2: Correct Toes toe spacers will often add width and length to the foot. If you’re planning to wear Correct Toes with your footwear, we recommend sizing up, especially if you are on the border between sizes.
SHOP LEMS BOULDER BOOTSThe Lems Boulder Boot is designed for all sets of feet (i.e., it's a “unisex” boot) and does not incorporate any men’s- or women’s-specific design features or proportions. Given the unique anatomy that exists between men’s and women’s feet and the many possible foot shapes that exist in the world (e.g., mountain, plateau, slope, square, etc.)—as well as differences in foot volumes (e.g., low, medium, and high)—the Boulder Boot does a good job of accommodating these differences, and most people find the fit to be appropriate, regardless of foot and toe shape or foot dimensions.
While it’s true that the Lems Boulder Boot boasts an excellent design and a comfortable environment for your foot, there are some aspects of this boot that could, in our opinion, be tweaked slightly to turn this already excellent boot into a stellar one. Here are the main considerations for you, as a consumer, to ponder when deciding whether or not to give the Lems Boulder Boot a go:
The above are some key considerations to ponder when it comes to the Lems Boulder Boot. None of these things may be dealbreakers in and of themselves, but they are all important to assess and weigh when determining whether or not the Boulder Boot will be right for you. Overall, the Lems Boulder Boot is a fine option for most people, most of the time. We do feel, though, that incorporating some of the above points into the design could turn an already excellent boot into a stellar boot.
Trail-tested and urban adventure-ready, the Lems Boulder Boot offers you stunning versatility, the likes of which are seldom seen in the world of footwear (especially the world of active outdoor footwear). These boots do what all shoes and boots ought to: Provide a pleasing ornamental dressing for your foot while largely staying out of the way of your foot. Indeed, you can step into your active life with confidence while wearing the Boulder Boot, knowing that each footfall is helping to build a stronger, more resilient foot. With its lightweight design, completely flat and flexible sole from heel to toe, and Correct Toes compatible toe box, the Lems Boulder Boot is well-suited to anyone hoping to achieve optimal foot health while experiencing all the best that nature has to offer.
The Lems Boulder Boot scores 4.4 (out of 5) on the NFAR scale, which puts it in the “excellent” range for foot-healthiness.
The Lems Boulder Boot is Natural Footgear Certified, which means that it lives up to our strict criteria for what constitutes a healthy and beneficial natural foot product. In order to receive Natural Footgear Certification, products must conform to the key criteria we have identified as essential in supporting long-term foot and musculoskeletal health, and footwear must additionally score at least 4.4 out of 5.0 on the NFAR scale.
Disclosure:
We may receive affiliate compensation in connection with the purchase of footwear mentioned on this page (this doesn't cost you, the purchaser, anything, and it helps to keep Natural Footgear going). Even though we may receive compensation, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on or about all models. See our Ethics Policy for more details.Among functional footwear, the Lems Primal 2 is a true standout. Hailed for its foot-friendly design, comfort, and overall attractiveness,... Read more
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I’m considering purchasing two pairs of Lems Boulder Boots for an upcoming hiking trip. My question concerns water resistance; specifically, how can I improve the water resistance of the boot? I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!
Greetings, Paul,
Thank you for your message. The Lems Boulder Boot is excellent for hiking! Check out this article entitled “What Makes for a Great Hiking Boot?” for more details on why we like this particular boot:
www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/education/78033413-what-makes-for-a-great-hiking-boot
You can use an after-market product, such as Nikwax, to help improve the water-resistant nature of the boots. A lot of folks have found this to be quite helpful.
I hope you have a blast on your trip!
Kind regards,
Laura Trentman