Forsake Patch Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Stylish, durable, water-resistant, good value
Cons: Lacks support underfoot, floppy, narrow toe box
Manufacturer: Forsake
Our Verdict
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Forsake Patch | |||||
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| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Stylish, durable, water-resistant, good value | Comfortable, waterproof, breathable, durable, relatively lightweight | Comfortable, durable, very cushioned, stable, supportive, lightweight | Comfortable, lightweight, durable, inexpensive | Well-padded, great for wide footed hikers, thick foam midsole provides comfort and stability |
| Cons | Lacks support underfoot, floppy, narrow toe box | Bulky laces | Expensive, take some time to break in, can be warm on hot days | Lacks support of larger, heavier boots | Lacing system lacks durability |
| Bottom Line | A stylish boot with all-leather uppers and a durable design, made for short hikes | A boot that excels in all metrics, this model offers exceptional performance for a wide range of hiking utility at a reasonable price | With thick foam soles and a durable leather upper, these boots stand out as the most supportive pair we've reviewed | These are the right choice for folks looking to save a bit of cash while still getting a top-tier hiking boot | These lightweight hikers are designed like a running shoe with extra ankle support and a stiff, foamy midsole |
| Rating Categories | Forsake Patch | Salomon X Ultra 4 M... | Hoka One One Kaha G... | Keen Targhee III Mid | Topo Athletic Trail... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Forsake Patch | Salomon X Ultra 4 M... | Hoka One One Kaha G... | Keen Targhee III Mid | Topo Athletic Trail... |
| Weight Per Pair (Size 7.5, in lbs) | 1.84 lbs | 1.62 lbs | 1.91 lbs | 1.80 lbs | 1.52 lbs |
| Upper | Full-grain leather | Synthetic, textile, rubber toecap | Full-grain leather | Oiled nubuck leather | Ripstop mesh |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
| Water Resistant Membrane | N/A | Gore-Tex | eVent | KEEN-Dry | eVent |
| Heel height (mm) | 1.1 in | 1.6 in | 2.1 in | 1.4 in | 1.2 in |
| Shaft height (mm) | 5 in | 5.1 in | 5.5 in | 4.9 in | 5.1 in |
| Midsole | EVA | molded OrthoLite sockliner | EVA | Dual Density EVA | Ortholite |
| Sole | Rubber | Contagrip rubber, chevron lugs | Vibram MegaGrip | Rubber | Vibram |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Comfort
The Patch is a good looking, leather boot that seemed to look better than they felt. At first, we thought that these leather boots just needed some time to break in — our lead tester often gets hotspots on the wide part of her foot when breaking in new boots — but as time went on, we found that these boots just didn't seem to be getting more comfortable. Perhaps for folks with a narrower foot, the Patch would be a sufficiently comfortable boot, but for us, they were too narrow and didn't provide enough cushion underfoot to wear for long periods of time. Additionally, the all-leather upper made our feet feel stuffy and hot, even when the weather was cool. The lack of breathability also contributed to their overall low score in the comfort metric.
Support
Typically, a boot that struggles in the comfort metric also has shortcomings in terms of support, and the Patch is no exception. These boots are not necessarily designed for long, mountainous hikes, but we found that even days around town put a toll on our feet in these boots. Their composite shank does not provide the same level of stability and support underfoot than many other boots we've reviewed. Most notably, the boots flex a lot in the forefoot, which makes them feel floppy and made our feet feel tired when walking uphill in them.
Weight
Compared to other leather boots with a classic design, the Patch is an impressively lightweight boot. These boots do not have the clunky, heavy feel that has been a complaint of ours with this style boot in the past. They actually felt quite light on our feet, which probably comes from the fact that the midsole is so minimal. In terms of measured weight, these boots are well under two pounds and compare to the lighter boots with mesh uppers in this review.
Traction
Made with Forsake's Peak-to-Pavement proprietary rubber, the Patch did not impress us in terms of traction. Fine for low-angle, mellow walks around town, the Patch's didn't do great on loose gravel or steep terrain. They lack the lugs and aggressive tread pattern that would allow them to stick to more technical surfaces.
Water Resistance
Here, the Patch's all-leather uppers impressed us. The leather uppers, reinforced seams, and waterproof membrane made the Patch withstand full submersion into water. The tongue is made from a water-resistant textile, which was the weakest link in terms of the waterproof barrier, but even still, the Patch did great in wet conditions by not allowing any water in through this area.
Durability
Again, a boot with an all-leather upper is going to do relatively well in this metric, typically. The Patch is no exception. These boots are well-made and we saw no signs of wear during our test period. Online reviews mention a few cases of the leather and suede scuffing, but this is to be expected with use.
Value
These boots are of relatively good value. They are well-made and stylish and come at a cost that is comparable to the majority of other boots in this review. That said, our testers feel that they are not designed for long hikes or rugged missions into the backcountry, so be aware of what your intentions are when purchasing these boots.
Conclusion
For a stylish, well-made hiking boot that can perform on mellow hikes while still looking good on the street, the Forsake Patch is a winner. These boots are cool looking, fairly durable, and did well in our water resistance tests. Unfortunately, they fell short in terms of comfort and did not provide sufficient support for long days on the trail. We found these boots to be best worn close to home, around town, and on short hikes through the neighborhood.
— Jane Jackson