Pakems were inspired on a ski trip when the creator took off her ski-boots and wished she had a packable alternative for her tired feet with her. After meeting with a team of designers Pakems were born. Offering a variety of styles and colors, Pakems are truly a unique addition to the outdoor industry. They want you to be able to Play Hard and immediately Relax Happy after you are done! These unique lightweight shoes/boots make a great camp shoe and can be found at Pakems.com.
Testing Conditions:
Winter car camping, cold crag days, snow camping in the Sierra, and around town in Southern California through winter and spring.
Climbing @ Joshua Tree NP
Outcome:
Originally I was planning on testing the Cortina as an alternative to my down booties. My concern was that, compared to a down bootie, they were a bit heavier and less compact. For car camping and shorter winter backcountry adventures the weight ended up not being a factor and the size was not an issue as they easily stuffed down at the bottom of my pack. The comfort of the EVA midsole and rubber outsole really sold me. They even kicked my Uggs to the wayside. At the crag, snow camping, around the house and around town, the Pakems Cortina became my go-to boot while my down booties gathered dust. The faux fur lining kept my feet warm and cozy without overheating and getting sweaty, my feet stayed dry in snowy conditions, and the rubber outsole protected my feet making them extremely versatile. Field testing around town proved to be quite popular as well, literally every time I wore them I was asked what they were and where to find them. Even if you decide these aren’t going to be your backpacking camp shoe/boot, I recommend getting a pair for all around use.
The Beta:
Pros: The rubber soles provided great traction and protection on slippery and rocky surfaces and the faux fur lining made them super cozy. Weather resistant outer kept my feet dry.
Cons: In temps below 30 degrees a pair of socks was needed for added warmth and comfort. Not really suitable to wear in your sleeping bag as down booties are.
Product Highlights: Fully lined with faux fur, sold with strapped tote bag, comes in multiple colors, has a discreet zipper pocket for credit cards, keys, etc.
MSRP: $80
Full Disclosure: I was given this product for free to test, with no obligation to review.