Fitwell Canyoneering Shoes (1)
FITWELL AQUATORS AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON CANYONEERINGUSA RIGHT NOW. (might be hard to find, so here is the LINK TO FITWELL AQUATORS. )
My buddy Jonathan Zambella made a connection with an Italian boot maker a couple years ago, and has been using their boots in his Rental Program since. It’s complicated, so stay with me here. The goal is to bring a USA version “Chameleon” of the European boot “Aquator” to the USA starting Spring 2021 - might have a few Nov 1, 2020.
The European version has a very, very nice stretch nylon gaitor over the laces. These go for 190 euros at Canyonzone (NL): https://www.canyonzone.com/a-60779007/canyoning-shoes/fitwell-aquator/#description We have a few of these available for sale, almost entirely in large sizes, for people who canyon in places other than Utah sandstone canyons. (It seems unlikely the zipper on the gaiter would function after one sandy canyon). Look on the CanyoneeringUSA Store.
We also now have a selection of the Chameleon Proto1 - in large and very-large sizes. See the Store: LINK TO CHAMMY1 BOOTS
The very nice gaiter CAN be cut off of the boot, though it seems a shame…
The USA version loses the gaiter, and a few changes have been made including protecting the laces from abuse. I think they will be GREAT! I have been using a prototype pair for 1-1/2 YEARS and learned to like them. They are completely different in style from the 5.10 Canyoneer2 I have used (and spent endless hours gluing) for the last 10 years.
Description
They are a lightweight boot. The bottom is very solid and not very flexible. This can be annoying if the boot does not fit you, but they fit my wide feet very well. I have an issue with Morton’s Neuroma so I wear special footbeds to help with that, and the combo works very well. The uppers are cloth and flexible, in a good way. They cover the ankle bones and offer some support, but do not get in the way of using your ankles. They are about as thick as two layers of the Converse AllStars upper. They lace up, and mine stayed laced. (Actual production laces may be different). On my protos, the laces got munched going through the eyelets, so that was changed and the laces are now protected. On my protos, reinforcements at the side just above the sole got munched where sewn on, and this has been improved so it will not be a problem. They do get sand in them to a moderate degree.
The rubber is not sticky 5.10 stealth, but it is not bad. There are a few pure friction moves I used to do that I no longer can, but I have done some hard stemming in them, and they work just fine. The sole shows almost no wear in a year and a half.
The fit is really good. I know feet vary in shape, and perhaps these just fit my feet perfectly. Could be. The sizing is spot on… meaning, when I measure my feet with the Brannock device, I get a “10”. When I try on a “USA 10” with one pair of Darn Tough Heavy Hikers, they fit like a glove… which is too tight for canyoneering. So I moved up to a USA 10-1/2, and they Fit Well for canyons. (I might snag a pair of USA 11s for winter use).
And that’s the story. I’ll be bringing in some stock on these shoes. I like them enough to plunk down serious money for them, so I REALLY HOPE other people like them too.
