Lightweight, but not light-duty
by Michael Zimmers, 2010
All rights reserved.
Every once in a while, I get to review a product that is legitimately innovative, if not downright revolutionary. I never thought, though, that those terms would apply to footwear; after all, humans have been wearing stuff on their feet pretty much forever. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I had the opportunity to test a pair of shoes from GoLite Footwear, a division of New England Footwear located in Newmarket, New Hampshire. (A new website for GoLite is expected to come online in mid-September.)
GoLite makes shoes for a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts, from runners to casual hikers to serious trekkers. As the company name suggests, their products are lightweight, but don’t let this fool you: this is not flimsy footwear. These shoes are not Yugo light; they’re more F1 race car light, filled with exotic materials and weight-cutting technology while retaining toughness and durability. The RockLite shoes I reviewed are as light as many running shoes, but sturdy enough to protect your feet against harsh ground. As the RockLites are a low-ankle design, they’re probably not suitable for extreme activities, but are more than adequate for most hunters in a brush/forest/plains environment. (Editor’s note: GoLite is producing a new model, called the TimberLite, that features more ankle support and is probably more appropriate for extreme terrain. We’ll report on these shortly.)
Soft Against the Ground
So…what makes these shoes revolutionary? GoLite has a proprietary “Soft Against the Ground” feature, in which they’ve turned traditional sole design upside-down. Ordinary shoes are built with a sole that is softest next to the foot, and hardest next to the ground. This design is comfortable at home or on perfectly flat ground. When you get onto rougher terrain, however, the lack of give in the (hard) base sole displaces your entire foot, forcing your ankle to turn as well. This can lead to early fatigue when covering ground that is less than accommodating.
By contrast, the Soft Against the Ground design features a firm insole, and a relatively soft, highly contoured outer sole. When you step on an uneven surface, the outer sole gives way at the high point(s) of the ground, allowing the shoe to remain flatter. Your foot really doesn’t know what’s going on. To use another automotive comparison, it’s like an independent suspension for your feet, in favor of a solid axle. It’s a brilliant idea, but only feasible when the sole is made of a pliant yet durable material such as that found in the GoLite line.
Don’t let the description of the firm insole fool you, though…these shoes are quite comfortable and easy to walk in.
Precise Fit Width System
Of course, none of this would matter if the shoes didn’t fit. As someone with ridiculously shaped (12 narrow) feet, I’m constantly appalled by the lack of footwear that I can use. Most shoemakers simply don’t offer many (if any) products in a narrow width. I can understand this, as most of the population isn’t cursed like I am with water skis for feet, but it’s still frustrating and quite limiting.
GoLite shoes feature a “Precise Fit” system that obviates this problem wonderfully. Their shoes feature a removable insole and two pairs of removable liners that extend from the toe to the arch. Those with wider feet don’t use either liner, those with medium-width feet use the thinner liner, and those with water skis use the thicker liner. The liners are held in place with a spot of hook-and-loop fabric, and are contoured to the inside of the shoe for positive fit.
I will freely admit that, when I heard of this system, I was more than a bit skeptical, but when I tried them, I was amazed. The RockLites not only fit my feet (with normal socks), but they fit well. I didn’t have to pull the laces incredibly tight or draw the sides of the shoe unnaturally close. The shoes felt like they were made for me. Simply put, this is a rare find, and by itself is ample justification for choosing this footwear.
Summary
GoLite shoes are comfortable, practical and versatile footwear for the hunter or shooting enthusiast. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors that should suit just about anyone. While they won’t replace my 10″ Danner boots for the ruggedest of conditions, this is not their intent. (They also cost a fraction of the price.) I intend to wear them on my next dry-weather hunt, and for everyday use as well.
