FirstGear Kathmandu Lo Boots

We’ve found that previous current FirstGear boots models all ran about one size small, but we are finding these boots run more true to size. Our advice would be to choose the size you normally wear in a men’s US street shoe. If you are sometimes between sizes, then choose the larger.

The width of the boots feels like a “medium” or C to D width.

These new Kathmandu Lo boots are pretty sharp. In just looking at them, you’d think they’d feel kinda heavy and be clunky to wear, but surprisingly they are very lightweight… and they are comfortable too. The buckle entry, like you see on off road boots, gives these boots a bit of an “adventure” look and feel, but being a shorter boot, they’d be great for just about any type of street riding. Another styling feature is the textured panel on the side of the upper. That is a pattern sometimes used in off road boots as well. That material isn’t particularly grippy like the suede material used in off road boots, but rather I think it is more of a styling thing.

I’m liking the foot protection of this boot. The heel and toe are internally reinforced and feel very sturdy. There is an internal protector over the outside ankle bone and some extra padding over the inside ankle bone. The soles are very much like most street boots with an aggressive tread.

The boots have a waterproof lining in between the outer and inner linings so as long as you have pants long enough to keep water out of the top, they should work for wet weather. The boots close with two side buckles that work smoothly and are adjustable, so you can adjust the tightness on the ankle and instep. The top of the boot is padded and scalloped lower in the rear so they are easy to walk in (not like stiff hikers that dig in on your ankle).

Overall, I like the looks of these boots and I think they’d work well for street touring and “light” adventure type riding. :: Paul, 06-23-16