REASONS TO BUY
Versatile style
Quality construction
Good traction
REASONS TO AVOID
Spacious upper lacks support
Sticky zipper
Functionless laces
Forsake Lucie Review
A stylish sneaker-style boot that functioned well as streetwear but left us hanging when it came to fit and on-snow performance
Credit: Forsake
RELATED: Best Winter Boots for Women of 2023
Our Verdict
We were excited to test Forsake footwear this year, but, ultimately, we weren't super impressed with the design of the Lucie boot. The overall fit was not very snug or protective, leaving us feeling unstable and exposed when on slippery surfaces or inclines. The side zippers often get caught when trying to zip or unzip the boot, and the front laces do not tighten the boot or close the gap around the collar. The leather is high quality, and the traction is good on wetter surfaces, making this design a solid winter boot for urban use. Luckily, the Forsake Lucie is stylish; it's just not our first choice when it comes to functional footwear.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Forsake is best known for its waterproof hiking-oriented sneaker boots. The Lucie has a fashionable exterior and quality leather construction but didn't quite hold to our high hopes during our performance tests.
Performance Comparison
Despite a lackluster fit we gave the Lucie a high comfort rating.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Warmth
The Lucie has a quality full-grain leather and suede outer with cushy synthetic insulation around the interior. We found the boot comfortable for walking around in cold temperatures but not insulated enough to keep feet warm in wet or snowy conditions. A little over an inch of rubber in the outsole provides some insulation from the ground, but the roomy collar allows enough airflow in to make your feet feel like they're not entirely protected from the outside elements. Forsake does not give an exact insulation amount, but we would guess it's somewhere around 100 grams.
The Lucie doesn't have the warmest liner and the zipper was a pain almost every time we zipped the boot on or off.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Weather Protection
The Lucie offers a little over 7 inches of coverage, which is slightly taller than the shorter hiking or sneaker-style boots in our review. We like this versatile height, but the collar construction keeps this boot from excelling in the weather protection category. The boot's opening has a wide, structured circumference that makes slipping in and out of it easy but doesn't close up against the ankle. Not only does this create a breezeway for cold air, but it allows snow to make its way into the interior when walking through anything 5 inches or deeper. On the other hand, the boot held up surprisingly well in our water submergence testing, remaining waterproof up to about 6 1/2 inches. This design is not ideal snow or rain boots, but it can keep you dry in low-snow and low-output activities.
The shaft height on the Lucie is high enough to keep the ankles protected, but the collar of the upper is fixed in a way that allows snow to get in when walking through unplowed territory.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Comfort and Fit
The lackluster fit of the Lucie is the reason for the limited warmth and weather protection, though it doesn't entirely render the boot uncomfortable. The inside is cushy, with an EVA midsole and a dual-density footbed that provides cushioned support for long walks or long days on foot. Unfortunately, for those that want the upper to close around the ankle, the laces are useless as the upper is incapable of closing closer to the leg. The side zipper, intended for easy entry, also caught 90% of the time on our pair. We found ourselves fiddling around with the faulty zipper to the point of frustration.
The dual density footbed is quite supportive, adding a solid level of comfort for walking around town or wearing to work.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Traction
The rubber outsole on the Lucie boasts an intricate wave pattern that has a rippled look from the side of the boot. It provides more traction on snow than other wave-pattern soles but still leaves us slipping and sliding in sloppier snow conditions or uneven terrain. The boot will work fine in wet, slushy winter conditions in the city but will not provide much functionality or security on stormier days in the mountains.
The wave sole pattern on the Lucie protrudes outward to add extra grip and traction on mixed terrain.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Durability
The upper of the Lucie is made of full-grain leather and suede that, when properly treated, can last for many, many years, even in wet and cold conditions. The thick rubber sole is stiff and strong and suffered no destruction after kicking the boot around on rough surfaces. The laces are thinner and flimsier than some of the other top-ranked women's winter boots, but still held up fine throughout the testing period. We are sure this boot can endure many winters and city walks so long as it is cared for properly.
With little snow this week, we hiked up our backyard trail to test traction on the Lucie's wavy outsole
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Should You Buy the Forsake Lucie?
While we like the style and lightweight comfort provided by the Forsake Lucie, we weren't exactly impressed by the boot's performance in snowy conditions. The leather and suede exterior seems to be durable and of high quality. Still, the insulation does not provide enough warmth, nor the outsole enough traction, for colder weather and blustery snow days. With a price tag somewhere in the middle of the review group, we feel the Lucie is not exactly worth the money. You can pay slightly less and get far more functionality from boots with warmer interiors, more coverage, or better traction. However, if you're looking for a fashion-forward boot that can keep you warm but don't need all the frills of faux-fur or thick rubber lugs, this will get you through long days at work or stormy errand runs.
After a long day walking in the Lucie, we agree it has a soft and squishy footbed that supports high arches.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?
Whether you want style or function, the UGG Adirondack III outperforms the Lucie all day no matter what the test metric. This boot is a great all-around boot tackling most winter activities with ease making it a good choice for those who plan to do a little of everything. Alternatively, if you need something more akin to a sneaker boot, the Danner Inquire Mid Insulated is a good choice that can keep you warm and dry as long as the snow is low and you primarily stick to the sidewalks. The Danner offers a better fit and overall comfort compared to the Lucie, and it comes with a durable design and better traction to boot.
—
Liz Chamberlain
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