As well as being the lightest boots in the review, Kathmandu’s Richmonds are also the least expensive and these two factors make them well worth consideration. There is some rough and crooked stitching in places, related I guess to the low cost, and I wouldn’t expect the materials to be as durable as those in boots costing and weighing more. However there aren’t as many stitched seams as on some much more expensive boots and none in the most vulnerable places such as the toe or the widest point. Indeed, the toe has a solid bumper. There’s a hard, synthetic external heel support too.
The fit is snug, with the forefoot being just too narrow for me and the volume quite low. The lacing is fine once fastened but the narrow tunnels instead of hooks at the top mean opening and closing the lacing is more of a hassle than with other boots as the laces don’t run through the tunnels easily.
The walking boots have Kathmandu’s own membrane, which performs much like others. The Vibram sole grips well and the large lugs are widely spaced and so don’t pick up mud easily. Cushioning is okay – better than on some much more expensive boots. The forefoot flexes very easily but side-to-side the boots are quite stiff. There is a slight rocker sole.
