Article by Jeff and Allison Valliere and John Tribbia
The North Face Chilkat V ($135) & V 400 Waterproof Boots ($159)
Introduction:
The North Face Chilkat comes in 2 different options, the Chilkat V, featuring 200 G Heatseeker™ Eco Synthetic Insulation, where the V 400 features 400 G Heatseeker™ Eco Synthetic Insulation which is a warmer insulation. Otherwise, the boots are essentially the same aside from some variations in the upper, so we will review as one and note any differences as necessary along the way. With warm insulation, a waterproof design, excellent traction, well cushioned comfort and snowshoe compatibility, the Chilkat is a fine choice for cold, snowy winter adventures.
Pros: Warm, waterproof, comfortable, traction, snowshoe optimized Jeff/Allison/John
Cons: Men’s sizing runs small
Stats:
Spec Weight: US men's 9: 1lb 8oz / 680g, US women’s 8: 1lb 7oz / 653g
Sample: US men’s 10.5: 1lb 10.5oz / 750g, US women’s 9: 1lb 8oz / 679g
Upper:
Jeff: The Chilkat V has a Waterproof Suede upper with waterproof seam sealed construction for the upper panels and at its interface with the molded TPU shell of the lower section of the boot. I have tested the Chilkat V snowshoeing in deep snow, slush and have stood in standing water half way up the boots and not found a trace of moisture sneaking in.
The collar is high (but not annoyingly so) and is comfortable when walking with the lacingeasy, snug and secure, consisting of 3 sets of D rings and 2 sets of hooks. There is also a gaiter ring as well.
Heel hold is good and I appreciate the heel pull loops for helping work my feet into the boots. It is not difficult, but the loops help a lot. The 200 G Heatseeker™ Eco Synthetic Insulation lining the boots is in the upper middle of the warmth scale on the website, but I find them to be adequately warm, even when the temperatures are below zero.
The fit runs small and when I first tried on in my normal size 10, my toes were right against the end of the boot (my foot actually measures 9.75), even with a thin sock, but in the end, I was able to get a size 10.5, which ended up fitting perfectly, even with a thick sock, so definitely size up a half size.
For lack of a better place to insert this comment, there is a ridge wrapping around the heel of the Chilkat that acts to secure a snowshoe strap and keep it solidly in place, which is something that is very simple, effective and welcome.
Allison: The V 400 shares much in common with the Chilkat V, though it varies slightly, as it has a taller collar, warmer 400 G Heatseeker™ Eco Insulation and in the women’s model, the collar is lined with a cozy, high pile fleece, which makes the interface with my calf more comfortable. Even so I would recommend a very tall over the calf ski sock.
At first, I was somewhat concerned with the height of the boot, but as I mentioned above, the soft fleece lining helps, as does a tall ski sock. Either way the height is not an issue and is welcome as it keeps out snow and cold.
I was most compelled by the warmer V 400 insulation While I cannot compare to the 200 G insulation in Jeff’s boots, I can say that my feet stay very warm no matter how cold the conditions are. When the temperature is below 0 and it is windy and cold above treeline, I have often had trouble with cold toes and have resorted in past to toe warmers, but the V 400 Chilkats have always been toasty, no matter what.
Testing in Rocky Mountain National Park
Fit for me is true to size and I do not have the sizing troubles that Jeff initially experienced and I have enough room for thick socks and can wiggle my toes.
I found the lacing system to be secure, and like that it includes a gaiter ring. I tripped when the lace brackets caught each other as my ankles brushed together, but that’s the only downside with the lacing system. While the fit was a minor issue - I normally wear a Men’s 9 and the boots were a 10 - I found my slightly narrow foot enjoyed the wide toe box, allowing room for warm socks but potentially causing some foot shifting, especially downhill. If I were to seek a snug fit, I would go for a 9.5, but no smaller.
Midsole:
Chilkat V400 above
Jeff: The midsole is composed of Compression-Molded EVA, “For Long-Lasting Cushioning” as TNF describes. Being a snow boot, there is not a whole lot to say here, other than the midsole does a great job for its intended purpose, providing an appropriate level of cushioning for snowshoeing, walking in the snow and shovelling the driveway and it does a good job insulating from the cold surfaces below.
Allison: Jeff covers the midsole well and I agree with his observations. The midsole cushioning is soft and quite comfortable, allowing for long days of snowshoeing and winter expeditions above treeline. I like that the midsole stays consistently soft despite wide fluctuations in temperature (they seem just as soft below 0 as they do when it is above freezing).
John: Not much new to add here from Jeff and Allison’s notes. I found the compression-molded EVA midsole provides nice cushioning as well as insulation. The boots strike a good balance between weight and comfort, though they may not be the best choice for long treks where weight is a concern. The insoles remain soft and supportive, even after hours of use.
Outsole:
Jeff: The outsole is “SURFACE CTRL™ Rubber Optimized For Winter Conditions” and Is made with 10% natural rubber. I have been able to test the Chilkats on packed snow, frozen snow, as well as on wind blown above treeline tundra and rocks, where I found traction to be outstanding.
The rubber compound is very sticky and adheres quite well to most frozen surfaces. The lugs are not huge, but typical for this style of winter boot and are sufficient. I personally do not feel as though I need more lug depth, especially given the majority of the time I will use these boots will be snowshoeing or shoveling the driveway. Given I mostly use these on snow, I have not seen any wear and do not really expect to see much over time.
Allison: As Jeff says, the outsole is very grippy on frozen surfaces as intended, be it snow, frozen snow, slush or above treeline on bare ground and rocks. The rubber is very sticky and the lug depth and pattern is effective for most winter conditions. Durability so far seems very good, but can’t see much wear as most of my use is on snow or using snowshoes.
John: Not to sound like a broken record, but The SURFACE CTRL™ rubber outsole is optimized for winter conditions. The multi-directional, sharp-edged lugs provide excellent grip across various surfaces, giving me some confidence on packed trails, ice, and deep snow. The lug pattern is more like a hiking boot than anything else.
Conclusions/Recommendations:
Jeff: The Chilkat V is a great choice for snowy, cold weather winter activities, such as snowshoeing, or walking in deep snow and will be my go to for winter mountaineering here in Colorado, when I am looking for a very warm boot on the coldest days. While they are not light, nor are they geared for technical climbs, they work very well with snowshoes and are excellent for most of the high, but less technical peaks that I am drawn to in the winter. Traction is confidence inspiring, durability is very good and they are exceptionally comfortable. They have also become my default snow shoveling boot as well, serving many winter duties.
Allison: The V 400 version is even warmer than the normal Chilkat V, which is even more ideal for me given my often cold toes. I will be using them for all of the activities that Jeff mentions, as I appreciate their warmth, comfort, traction and protection.
John: The North Face Chilkat V proves to be a reliable choice for diverse winter pursuits, effectively balancing warmth, weather resistance, and comfort at its price. The Heatseeker Evo insulation delivers consistent warmth, even in sub-zero conditions, though its limited breathability can lead to sweat accumulation during intense activity, potentially resulting in cold toes.
The TPU shell and waterproof, seam-sealed full-grain leather upper provide excellent weather protection, maintaining dryness in the lower foot and ankle regions. While the shaft height adequately guards against snow and moisture, a slight gap at the back can allow snow entry in deep drifts.
Durability is a strong suit for the price, with the outsole maintaining consistent traction over time. Overall, the Chilkat V is a commendable, well-rounded winter boot option.
Tester Profiles
Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state, many 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and beyond, plus, he has summited his local Green Mountain over 2,100 times in the past 20 years. He can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not. On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.
John Tribbia (5' 6", 130lbs) is a former sponsored mountain/trail runner who has run with La Sportiva, Brooks/Fleet Feet, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon. Even though he competes less frequently these days, you can still find John enjoying the daily grind of running on any surface, though his favorite terrain is 30-40% grade climbs. He has won races such as America's Uphill, Imogene Pass Run, and the US Skyrunner Vertical Kilometer Series; and he's held several FKTs on several iconic mountains in Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you follow him on Strava, you'll notice he runs at varying paces between 5 minutes/mile to 12 minutes/mile before the break of dawn almost every day.
1 comment:
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