Topic: Karrimor KSB Peak eVent (Read 11689 times)

Tim · « **on:** January 12, 2011 »

About 8 months ago I bought a pair of Karrimor KSB Peak II eVent boots for £20 off amazon. Having little knowledge in what to look for in a good walking boot I figured for £20 if they're crap for the Mournes at least it's something to kick about in, and if they were that bad at least it was only £20 wasted, and not £150+ like most decent walking boots. I was using them on hiking trips almost weekly up until late November, when my regular about-the-town shoes kicked the bucket, and I started wearing the KSB's everywhere. I have used them in all sorts of weather, sun, rain and snow, through bog, wading through ankle-deep glacial streams and general mountain terrain and I reckon I've had a pretty good taste of all 4 UK seasons in them, although i've read that they are a 2-3 season boot so I'm not suggesting I'd climb everest in them or anything, but for the UK (and Sweden/Norway up until early winter (temps down to around -20°c)) they do the job perfectly and I have never had wet or cold feet in them, and I have never had hot sweaty feet in them either.

I've been having a look about the net today to see if they're crampon compatible, as I'm hoping to get a trip up Ben Nevis in April and there may still be some pretty wintery conditions up there. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything about their crampon compatibility but I did see endless 1-star reviews ranging from the occasional leak, full blown holes, and literally falling apart. Everyone seems to be blaming this on Karrimor changing hands, which I can understand would cause a reduction in quality, but what about my boots? Did I get lucky and get old stock? Or am I just some sort of mountain He-Man who doesn't notice cold wet feet (which I most certainly have done with other shoes)?

LennyJ1 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2011 »

I have a pair of them and they are a great boot. I wear mine everywhere accept in the mountains when I wear my Salomons Quests.

I would recommend them if you cant afford a pair of Salomons

Tim · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2011 »

Yep I swear by my KSB's. Have you got any experience of them with crampons Lenny?

twentyclicks · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2011 »

If they are a 2-3 season boot they are probably not crampon compatible. If they flex noticeably in your hand, they will likely pop out of the crampon which is highly dangerous. All is not lost though: Kahtoola make some light-weight crampons for flexible boots and trail shoes, and cheaper micro-spikes as well....they are more knarly than ice-grips and would probably suffice for keeping you safe in walking conditions.

http://www.kahtoola.com/index.php

LennyJ1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2011 »

Quote from: twentyclicks on January 14, 2011

If they are a 2-3 season boot they are probably not crampon compatible. If they flex noticeably in your hand, they will likely pop out of the crampon which is highly dangerous. All is not lost though: Kahtoola make some light-weight crampons for flexible boots and trail shoes, and cheaper micro-spikes as well....they are more knarly than ice-grips and would probably suffice for keeping you safe in walking conditions.

http://www.kahtoola.com/index.php

There quiet expensive arn't they

twentyclicks · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2011 »

Well, the micro-spikes are a lot cheaper than crampons... and as for the crampons, probably better not to think of them as basic crampons (ie. should be cheaper), but full on crampons that are specialised for your needs (hence similar price to full climbing crampons).

Would be nicer though if they were even £70 or £80

Tim · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2011 »

Looks like I spoke to soon, was hiking around the western Mournes today and my feet got soaked

first time thats happened with the boots. In fairness though I reckon my feet would have got wet no matter what boots I was wearing it was that boggy. Ill definitely look into the kahtoola stuff, although I reckon I'd be better in the long run to just save up for a new set. There's only so far £20 can take you.

Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Useful Links

Follow NI-Wild

Author Topic: Karrimor KSB Peak eVent (Read 11689 times)

Tim

Karrimor KSB Peak eVent

LennyJ1

Re: Karrimor KSB Peak eVent

Tim

Re: Karrimor KSB Peak eVent

twentyclicks

Re: Karrimor KSB Peak eVent

LennyJ1

Re: Karrimor KSB Peak eVent

twentyclicks

Re: Karrimor KSB Peak eVent

Tim

Re: Karrimor KSB Peak eVent

Bottom Sponsor

Recent Topics