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Shoes simmilar to Zen's

Original Post
NickMartel · · Tucson, Arizona · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 1,332

So I finally blew out my Boreal Zen's. I was looking on the net and it seems like they are not making zens anymore. Sad. I was hoping someone who at one point used and enjoyed zens can recommend a similar pair. I am not sure if I just totally stretched them out or if they had a shape that naturally fit my feet, but I have pretty wide feet and worry about finding a pair that will fit tight enough but still be comfortable. Also I am also looking for a pair of lace-up trad/crack/all day shoes. Any recommendations. The Zens are the first and only pair of shoes I have owned and I LOVED them. It felt like they were cast specifically for my feet.

Thanks In Advance,
Nick

VBound · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 0

Hey, The Blades are close. I also have been climbing in the Crux
and the new green slipper but they are not quite the same fit.

I have about 10 pair of Zens whit holes in them in my closet. You can
usually get one good resole out of them, by the second the velcro is
usually shot.

I wish they would resurrect them for a few more years, I'd buy a
dozen pair.

Try Larry Arthur at Mountain Tools, he brings in Boreal shoes and
can get you fit perfect!

LeeAB Brinckerhoff · · Austin, TX · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 10,288

I don't remember how stiff the Zen was, but the Crux (as Vbound said) is pretty similar as is the Krypto. The Crux should be the stiffer of the 2 shoes. I have not climbed in the Blade, only tried them on at the OR show a couple of years ago so I don't really know about those.

It seems as though Boreal has just a few "last" that they work with. The one the Zens are on is the middle one. Both these shoes are unlined leather so should conform to your foot with a little bit of time.

Based on what Vbound said the Zen might be more similar to the Joker line though.

VBound · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 0

the Zen has a half mid sole. It about like the old Pyros shoe.
I felt it was a little more precision shoe than the Joker. The
Mutant if you can find it is a decent slipper. The Crux is stiffer
than the Zen quite a bit also, but not near a board lasted shoe.

The Krypton is a fantastic precision shoe but I've been climing in
mine for a month now and my toes still go numb. It has more of a
down turned profile. They may eventually break in as they are not
lined. The crux are lined in the front only. Those broke in fairly
quickly but I tend to like a softer shoe.

I climbed in Acopa B3's and although they take a LONG time to break
in and get used to, they are a really nice shoe also.

I ordered a pair of Boreal Sol shoes a few days ago to try as they
looked similar to the Zen profile. I'll let you know how those go
when I receive them.

Cheers.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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