Lems Boulder Boot Grip Versus Summit/Barefoot Boot Toe to Toe Comparison 

Finally a comparison! Thank you! Great vid!

Great review for two similar but slightly different boots. Thank you!

Great video! Very useful to see the two side by side.

I ordered the grip the day they released and I’ve worn them daily since. They’re holding up well, no break in period, molded to my feet in just a couple days

Solid review! I own the Boulder Summit and wear them to work every day. 🤗

Top notch review as always. I have the outlander which is the same tread as the summit. That tread is no joke and I use it as a work boot on and off dort and concrete half my day. Best boot in my opinion. I still don't consider it truly zero drop because they labeled it 2 or 3mm rise when it first came out then they backtracked. I assume they did that to market towards anyone who wants truly zero drop. Still great. I also owned the original waterproof boulder in the past which truly feels zero drop and I can definitely feel rhe difference and the grip definitely looks closer to zero. I hope the grip comes in black so I can have more grip, bit flatter tread to not wear down like the outlander. Hope to hear a review for their telluride boot. Looks like a great middle ground boot/tread. Thanks, guys.

Very cool thank you for the review

Thanks for the video. A few months ago, I started having constant foot pain that seemed to be associated with Morton’s Neuroma. After looking around online I found that the combination of barefoot shoes, toe spacers and metatarsal pads may help alleviate some of the pain. So, I picked up the cheapest pair of barefoot shoes that I could find to try out. The wider toe box seemed to help so I immediately started looking for a pair of barefoot/minimalist boots. When I first started looking at the Lems boots I was torn between the original Boulder Boots, Boulder Boot Grips and the Summits. The main reason I went with the Summits was because they were the only one advertised as having the “widest” toe box (and I was planning on wearing them with toe spacers). I settled on the Waterproof Boulder Summit boots over a month ago, and though they had to break in for a couple weeks in order for me to wear toe spacers in them comfortably, they have turned out to be the most comfortable pair of boots that I think I have ever had. I walk on jagged rocks and in creek beds everyday and by putting metatarsal pads on the insoles and wearing toe spacers it has made the pain in my foot almost completely go away. I used to have to stop what I was doing a couple times a day to relax my foot and that seems like a thing of the past now. Now my problem is that I love the Summits so much that I really would like to get a pair of the Boulder Boot Grips with less stack height for (a more barefoot feel) when I know that I am going to be walking off-trail - BUT I am afraid that I won’t be able to fit my toe spacers in them due to my confusion about their “wide” and “widest” toe box designations. It seems like your opinion is that both the Summits and the Grips seem about the same toe box wise. I wish that I had a Lems dealer close to me so I could just go try them on, or if there was a bit more clarity on the Lems site with more info on the differences between their “widest” and “wide” toe boxes, but until then I am still on the fence. I guess if all else fails I could just get another pair of Summits when these wear out.

Thanks guys for this detailed comparison. Though you’re sponsored, it still came across as objective. Very helpful to get this review before buying.

Thank you!

I'm looking for new boots with a wide toe box. Thanks for the video.

I was gonna go the Summit, but the Grip boot looks so damn awesome. Love it!

I've been going back and forth with getting the Summit or the Jim Green Barefoot African Ranger. I was being swayed toward the Rangers, but now this video is pulling me the other way. Ugh. Good vid!

I just ordered a pair of summit's for work . ( What OSHA doesn't know won't hurt them 😉) I own some minimalist shoes and love them. can't wait to have them at work too.

Thank you for this comparison! I had to return a pair of Summits (build quality problems) and am thinking about the new BB Grip instead, not hiking in them, mainly a winter boot around town, walking the dog, etc. The Summits were very stiff to me. The Grips look more flexible and closer to a barefoot feel. Can't decide which style looks better.

I'm planning on purchasing one of these two boots very soon and your video was very helpful for me having too decide which boot most meets my needs. For an all-arounder, I'm thinking the grip. (just wishing they came in black) Thanks!

Thank you for the review! I am planning on getting a pair for my wife. Great job!

The grip should have just replaced the regular Boulder boot. That outsole is what that original Boulder boot should have always had.

Hey guys, thanks so much for this video. I've been wearing mostly barefoot shoes for long time now; I have no problem walking or running on concrete with shoes that have the thinnest stack height (5-6mm). I can even do moderate hikes with my extremely barefoot shoes (Freet flex- without added insole or Shamma Warrior sandals). I even got myself a pair of barefoot dress shoes for suit and tie occasions, so I would say that my feet are quite adapted to the barefoot experience. That being said, I have found that I still need real hiking shoes for real rugged hikes and I also need something waterproof for winter (I live in a warm climate where it rains in winter but I do visit colder places throughout the year where it snows in winter). I want to combine these 2 needs into 1 purchase and I find myself debating between these 2 boots. On the 1 hand, since I am so acclimated to barefoot and I will probably more often use it for its waterproofing, as I don't live near really rugged hiking, my leaning would be to get the Grip since it is the thinner and more flexible boot. (I would even have gone with one of the Freet hiking boots, as I already love the shoes I got from them, but I tend to agree with you guys, that for real rugged hikes a bit more stack height is needed and I just don't see myself keeping the removable insole in as I always take those out. Plus, the fact that their waterproofing seems to be less effective is a con). Also the fact that the grip doesn't need much breaking in is a huge plus. On the other hand, when I do get to do really rugged hiking I might prefer the boot with more stack height and the lugs on the Summit just looks more like my old hiking shoes (which I am only throwing out because I can no longer stand the small toe box or the drop) so I feel the tread on the Summit would perform better on real rough terrain with loose rocks and roots etc. Also, if the summits have the wider toe box (which I know you guys question) that would be a pro for me as well. I does concern me that these were originally labeled with a 2mm drop, I know it's not much, but I think would bother me. I understand what the rep told you guys but it does make me wonder if that's the whole truth. I do find the summit a bit nicer looking, but they both look nice to me. I've never worn such high boots, even for rugged hiking. I have been sensitive around the ankles ever since I got 2 surgeries on my left one; so I would get a lower version of either of these boots if it existed. That being said, I still think that the boulder boots are the best option for what I'm looking for, I'm just having a hard time deciding which one to go with. Please let me know what you guys think about my situation; I'd definitely appreciate your two cents. Extra question: do you guys know if these boots could handle micro spikes? It's not a make or break thing, I'd just like to know. thanks,

Thank you.

I like both of them, but the summit bottoms look more grippy, as well as the sole being a bit higher, making any challenge to the wateproofing a bit better, where you can stand in a bit higher water before getting to those stitches and seams. I agree about the eyelets, but there is an advantage of the hooks for those with higher volume feet/ankles, who need to open that section, especially when using elastic lock-laces. You can unhook one to loosen the whole section, getting them on and off a bit easier, then all you have to do is grab the laces, hook, twist, and hook to get them nice and tight again. With eyelets, you have to keep them overall a bit looser to get them on and off. Personal preference, but I can see the advantage to either when using elastic laces. With standard strings, the eyelets are way easier for me. Regardless of differences, it's great that we're getting more and more choices, the more, the better, haha. As I mentioned previously, I'd like a sizing chart that has inch/centimeter length/width insole measurements for all models and sizes, so folks can order a size that closest meets their requirements. I bet shipping/return costs are extensive due to the guesswork. If I knew the actual lengths and widths of all their products, it's possible I'd have already purchased some for myself and/or gifts. I dislike buy and try or extra work to send inquiries for everything I'm interested in purchasing, and have read loads of comments and posts with people complaining about sizing and having to return or re-sell them because they live in places that are costly to get them. It'd be awesome if you could schmooze whatever charts your rep has and post a link to them in your description or something. I don't know why they're so hush hush, it's a very frustrating "sizing & specs" page for me. I've seen old screenshots posted with lengths, so not sure why there's nothing on their site now, and I'd be skeptical to use old charts due to changes in products over time and no widths. An employee with a centimeter ruler could go through their model insoles and do some quick measurements and help a lot of people in no time at all. Those are the kind of low effort, high reward projects I volunteer for at work, haha. I Love your coverage and demonstrations of these, sans measurements, haha, but thank you for the upload. And thank you to Lems for offering Veterans a GovX discount, which I hope to someday partake in.

Liked the video! Do you know which Lems boot would do better in more humid climates? I deal with more mud and sand. No snow.

The Grips were my first Lems product and gave me a skewed view of their lineup because of the big chunk of EVA foam between the grip outsole and the lasting board. I believe the summits are the same. Basically, everything marketed toward hiking in their lineup seems to be that way. I think the waterproof version of the regular boulder boot is a better option for anyone wanting something more minimal or at least something that will remain zero drop after use. I am a pretty big guy and the eva in the Grip molded to my foot and left an imprint like when you get custom orthotics made. You can actually see it; it is that deep into the boot. Which leaves me standing on my arches. Anyway, now I am going to try out some different models that I know don't have that thick layer of foam. I know a local shop that has some Mid's in stock that I am going to give a try (I don't like the leather color in the regular boulder boot). As an aside, I wish they'd make an unlined boot.

It’s more due to the need for plateau shaped toe boxes than “width” that determines if the toe box is wide enough for me. My actual splay doesn’t appear wide but my first three toes are almost the same length. If the toe slope of many shoes didn’t slope so soon and if the decline of the slope wasn’t so great, many would fit me better. I love wildlings shoes for this reason. I actually have the boulder and boulder summits. I had to size up to get enough width for my roman toes which does interfere with gait since that extra space in front of the toes offset how we take our steps. I do however currently have my boulder boots getting stretched in the toe box by my new boot stretcher. So far they are looking better for my splay. Also I think a lot of bf companies don’t add enough room for people’s pinky toes to actually have the space to get stronger. I see a lot of complaints in other forums.

Really appreciated the review and think I will be buying the summit myself when I go to buy them this black friday. I do have a question about the grip on the boulder grip. I am asking because the Kourt grip has the same grip pattern as the boulder grip. I work in a restaurant and we need non-slip shoes. I'm not sure if you could know this but how do you think the grip on the boots are on hard surfaces with water? I am deciding between the Whitin and the Kourt grip, which I love Lems as a brand however they are exactly $100 more expensive.

Which one would do better on a hard flat floor like a warehouse, factory or retail store etc? I have worn the primal 2s for the last year at my job but i want a boot bc sometimes i have to do snow removal. So i need something that can go from snow to hard flat floors

thanks for this. I was pondering this exact comparison. Any comments on durability?

How do both of them breathe? I have the lems Chelsea waterproof and don't feel like my feet breathe at all. Is it any different? I'm used to Goretex waterproofing. In my experience my feet breathe a lot better with goretexs membrane.

Great review. Is the width and volume of this shoe similar to Xero Ridgeway?

How warm is the boulder summit waterproof? Do you think it would be warm enough with some thick socks for hiking in freezing temperatures and snow? I like the quality of leather that Lems has, but the FeelGounds Patrol boots you reviewed seem like they'd be warmer with their fleece lining.

been loving the reviews. I'm a xero trail runner fan, but am looking for a minimal boot with a little more stiffness for 12 mile rucks with 50 lbs (for arch fatigue). hence looking into Lems; what would you recommend in those case?

Great informative review. Are the summits resoleable??

can you slip them on and off without lacing? I am so lazy and want a easy on/off daily boot for crummy weather

How much grippier are the Grips compared to the original Bolder? I see the difference between the original and the Summit, but is there really that much of a delta between the original and the Grip?

which one would you guys recommend though for everyday wear while doing outdoor work like gardening, working in the woods an such on homesteads? I am a little worried that the summit wouldn't have enough play and be to stiff.

I had to return the grips, they weren’t wide enough and the height at the mid foot was not tall enough. I may order the summit to see if they are wider but after what you guys said it may not be. My feet are very wide, I have primal zens they are a great fit.

7:51 hey guys, thanks for the info! What model are you trying on at 7:51? It's light greenish with 2 stripes down the side.

Bought these and Jim Green African Rangers since job site now requires boots and i walked +20,000 steps easily on hard concrete in a warehouse setting. I thought id miss my Nikes but starting to think these boots will actually be kinder on my feet(and wallet... Air Jordan 1s be expensive bruv!)

great videos btw... also, do you ever use felt or wool insoles to stay warm in either of these boots?

The drop height on the summit is way higher than 2 mm. The reason I go with zero drop is I’m attempting to rebuild my arches and they collapse at a certain drop height. The Summit’s drop is actually larger than my redwing work boots after removing the insoles from both. Pretty disappointing, but they still see some action. My main focus is drop and toe box, both of which I found lacking in the summit. Hope to get some of the Chelsea’s soon, hopefully they deliver. The worst part is that my wife loves the look of the summits.

When talking about the Summit, you said compression at the forefoot, did you mean compression at the heel? The drop is higher than 2mm? I was under the impression, they are 2mm and over time the heel will compress down to zero.

There’s another RU-vid channel that literally cuts the summit in half, and it definitely has a taller stack height in the heel. Do you think your Lems rep might have been misinformed? Thanks, great content!

How warm are they for winter wear?

I want a video on how you ties those shoe laces to stay put so itt can slip on so easily haha.

Would these boots get too warm in the summer? They seem perfect for me, but I am concerned how they’ll do in 80 degrees and up.

What's the hiking location on this video? Is it Salt lake city?

Did you ever hear back from Lems support team about why they labeled their width differently since you said they felt identical, but they were labeled differently?

Can I use summit as an everyday shoe?

boulder boots are definitely not wide enough. just take a look at the toebox. it still forces the big toe to be pushed in at an angle, giving you a bunion over time. primal zen is just barely wide enough for a real human foot.

i can promise you, those chevrons don't mean shit around here.. they won't grip slick, wet rocks around creeks. compare it to a snow tire...

Lems just seem astronomically overpriced for what they are. Looks like a Chinese, Amazon special that should be $40-$50. Almost $200 bucks for a slip on boot that you keep at the door for quick in and out? These seem more like Hey Dude or Croc quality. Even at $100, they are overpriced. These would sell a ton around $50. Maybe $75 for a leather pair.