Nicks Strider Zero Drop?

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Since my scarpa's died on me, I'm looking into boots again. Just discovered these and wondered if anyone has experience with them.

https://nicksboots.com/products/strider-zero-drop

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

No one? Where's all the zero drop guys at?

 

[carlc]

I can't speak for the zero drop, but I have a pair of nicks loggers that are 15 years old and still going strong.

 

[dgfavor]

No one? Where's all the zero drop guys at?

I came across those for first time few weeks ago...wondered if they could make me a pair of pull-ons in similar style for riding my horse....then I saw price and decided I didn't need em!

Very similar to the Nick's, I had a pair of tall, like snake boot tall, pull-on Russell's built years ago for riding with the most minimal sole they had (from like their African PH line or something) and a spur shelf that I really liked initially but they wore out super fast and I decided the re-build wasn't worth it.

 

[dgfavor]

No one? Where's all the zero drop guys at?

I came across those for first time few weeks ago...wondered if they could make me a pair of pull-ons in similar style for riding my horse....then I saw price and decided I didn't need em!

Similar to the Nick's, I had a pair of tall, like snake boot tall, pull-on Russell's built years ago for riding with the most minimal sole they had (from like their African PH line or something) and a spur shelf that I really liked initially but they wore out super fast and I decided the re-build wasn't worth it.

 

[Lawnboi]

They look like Jim green troopers with sole options . Might be a good option, the sierra slim sole is what I had my Jim greens redone with.

I’d be curious what they put on the inside, or if it’s just bare leather midsole.

Hard to justify for 500 bucks. Especially when I can get JG troopers resoled for 350 bucks. But I do prefer the troopers with new soles to most other barefoot shoes I have tried, so I’d be willing to try them when it’s time.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

I haven't really looked at the Jim Green's. The reason these Nicks caught my eye is the rebuild option. I get really frustrated when boots break down after a couple years and I have to chuck them.

 

[WPFY543]

Full transparency.... I worked for Nicks until recently.

The Nicks Striders are a great boot and can be a really nice daily driver if you are already wearing zero drops daily. When we started the development for this boot, we tore apart a Jim Green and were pretty surprised how little structure there was in the boot and the quality in overall workmanship. The Nicks Strider still has a full grain leather midsole, just like a regular Nicks Boot. The goal, at least when I was part of the project, was to take inspiration from other barefoot brands, but make it in Nicks PNW DNA.

Where I think the Nicks Strider will far outperform is in long term durability and support. The Strider is as close to a lifetime boot as you are going to find in the market today. Some of the competing boots in the zero drop space have suffered from durability issues.

As far as the application to hunting, it really depends what your hunt looks like. I hunted in a similar Nicks boot last year out of a sxs, in rough terrain, and with a solid pack out. I appreciated the support, particularly in the rough terrain and with relatively short hikes. I'll probably wear the same boot again this year for a late season rifle hunt that I expect to happen fairly close to the truck. I'm packing now for an archery hunt with the intention of living off my back and putting in a lot of miles in and I will be hunting in a lighter weight synthetic boot. The wildland fire guys and gals are hiking 20+ miles in a day in PNW logger boots, but they are tougher than me.

If you decide you want to try a pair, send me a DM and I am happy to answer any questions. The ordering process can be a bit tricky but they are working hard to make it better.

 

[Lawnboi]

I haven't really looked at the Jim Green's. The reason these Nicks caught my eye is the rebuild option. I get really frustrated when boots break dow

after a couple years and I have to chuck them.

The JG trooper is stitch down construction. Just had the black set resoled, cause I didn’t like the JG anvil sole. Just dropped off the barefoot ranger for a resole as well.

 

[RepeatPete]

The JG trooper is stitch down construction. Just had the black set resoled, cause I didn’t like the JG anvil sole. Just dropped off the barefoot ranger for a resole as well.
View attachment 937075
View attachment 937076

How do you like the new soles? Mine are also about due for a resole, and I was looking for one with more grip and that would last longer, but also don’t want to lose the soft compound of the stock JG soles.

 

[Brontosaurus]

Me who spent months searching for a durable zero drop boot and settled for another pair of vivos.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

The JG trooper is stitch down construction. Just had the black set resoled, cause I didn’t like the JG anvil sole. Just dropped off the barefoot ranger for a resole as well.
View attachment 937075
View attachment 937076

The much lower price point is compelling atm, with a bunch of other purchases recently. A couple questions come to mind for me:
1. how do these do in lots of mud?
2. How fast do they ship (season starts in 10 days)?

I don't have any guesses on fit, so right now my options are buy and hope, go to a box store, or buy boots I've worn before.

 

[Lawnboi]

How do you like the new soles? Mine are also about due for a resole, and I was looking for one with more grip and that would last longer, but also don’t want to lose the soft compound of the stock JG soles.

The new soles are awesome, great grip, better than vivo trackers. They are also lighter and give a little more ground feel than the factory rose anvil outsole. Awesome boot with new soles.

My plan at the end of the year is to buy another pair of troopers and break them in and immediately resole them.

Local cobbler charged me 120 bucks and told me he would do whatever vibram sole he could get.

 

[Lawnboi]

The much lower price point is compelling atm, with a bunch of other purchases recently. A couple questions come to mind for me:
1. how do these do in lots of mud?
2. How fast do they ship (season starts in 10 days)?

I don't have any guesses on fit, so right now my options are buy and hope, go to a box store, or buy boots I've worn before.

The factory rose anvil sole that comes with them is only really good for dry terrain ime. Good all around 3 season boot around the house and work too. Snow/mud was terrible, that’s why they were resoled right away.

They ship fast, both pairs I have, under a week to my door. They just have a warehouse in the US.

Sizing, I followed their sizing chart and they fit fine. I do remove the small half leather insole and put lathrop gel insoles in mine.

If they would put an appropriate outsole in them from the factory they would be great boot. With the vibram sierra sole on them they seem favorite boot to date, I clue it vivo trackers, which don’t last as long and can’t be rebuilt. They also are way better at keeping water out than the vivos.

I see these Jim greens lasting me several resoles. I’m sure the nicks are probably alittle heavier duty on the build and would look at them in the future.

Good to have options!

 

[rabbithuntr]

I had a pair of nick for a couple years before I went to minimalist shoes. They were very durable and held up to water and mud well. I also had some Jim green zero drops and was not terribly impressed. I wouldn’t put them in the same league as nicks.

 

[Lawnboi]

Full transparency.... I worked for Nicks until recently.

The Nicks Striders are a great boot and can be a really nice daily driver if you are already wearing zero drops daily. When we started the development for this boot, we tore apart a Jim Green and were pretty surprised how little structure there was in the boot and the quality in overall workmanship. The Nicks Strider still has a full grain leather midsole, just like a regular Nicks Boot. The goal, at least when I was part of the project, was to take inspiration from other barefoot brands, but make it in Nicks PNW DNA.

Where I think the Nicks Strider will far outperform is in long term durability and support. The Strider is as close to a lifetime boot as you are going to find in the market today. Some of the competing boots in the zero drop space have suffered from durability issues.

As far as the application to hunting, it really depends what your hunt looks like. I hunted in a similar Nicks boot last year out of a sxs, in rough terrain, and with a solid pack out. I appreciated the support, particularly in the rough terrain and with relatively short hikes. I'll probably wear the same boot again this year for a late season rifle hunt that I expect to happen fairly close to the truck. I'm packing now for an archery hunt with the intention of living off my back and putting in a lot of miles in and I will be hunting in a lighter weight synthetic boot. The wildland fire guys and gals are hiking 20+ miles in a day in PNW logger boots, but they are tougher than me.

If you decide you want to try a pair, send me a DM and I am happy to answer any questions. The ordering process can be a bit tricky but they are working hard to make it better.

Since you seem in the know did nicks do anything different with the last shape on this boot being that it’s a barefoot boot?