Rhyolite Boots By Stoney Creek®

Introduction

The new Rhyolite is a plain looking style of boot with a low top that was sent to me for testing. Let’s take a closer look and see how it went.

Construction

The Rhyolite boot is made with full grain leather and a seamless main piece through the base area.
Full grain leather like this has the top membrane from the skin (hide) still attached with the underside trimmed down. This membrane is tougher than Nubuck, gives the leather great water protection but when subject to cuts and nicks, can let water in and get heavy, especially if left untreated. Full grain leather is firmer, more supportive and requires some wearing-in to get the best comfort as the leather shapes to your feet and these boots were no different. This is compared to Nubuck leather, that Stoney Creek® uses in their Greywacke Boots, where the top surface of the leather is removed and is treated all the way through with silicone or similar chemicals. Nubuck leather is softer, far easier to “break-in”, doesn’t mind nicks and scratches but can still “wet out” if not given further and regular reproofing treatments.Under this very water repellent leather the Rhyolites come with a full-foot, four-layer waterproof liner called Aqua Dry®.

The tongue is made from a very soft leather called Nappa leather. It is a shiny fine grained leather with cushioning underneath for extra comfort. Lace hooks are on the top with the very top two pairs being “locking” and extra large “D-rings” on the base are laced so they lock as well. The removable insole had a gel-type foot cushioning heal pad which I expect will add to their comfort.

Sizes run from NZ(UK) 5-13, including half sizes, which is great for getting the right fit.

Features & Benefits

The Nappa leather tongue squeaked with
every step when I first wore them, so I was not off to a good start. However, a quick rub with leather conditioner and it was totally quiet. Once that was fixed I was off to check some trail cameras in the Kaimai Ranges.

As expected, this boot was totally waterproof, easily handling a half day in and out of wet grass and small streams. The outsole is a Vibram® Skeleton Trek model that is super light weight and is a duel density construction, so it’s softer on the top side for your feet and harder underneath for long lasting tread. It is a wide size that fitted me well.
A good choice for this style of boot.
I expected the tight tread to clog badly with mud but, except for the heal area, it remained relatively mud free which was really a surprise. As they flex the mud drops out, even the really sticky volcanic clay was no problem. An excellent result there.

For a short boot it was very stable and if you really laced it up tightly it was extremely stable, so much so that I would trust it crossing streams with a full load of venison no problem at all.
The extra large side lacing lugs are going to catch a bit of grass from time to time but all the lacing system looks strong and durable.

Conclusion

This boot was so good in wet conditions, and considering the difficulty in making a one-piece leather base, having it without the waterproof liner may actually be an improvement. That’s because it would be lighter, cost less, breath much more and, if you looked after your leather, it would still be waterproof.
I must admit it outperformed my expectations, both in comfort and stability. The more that I have used the Rhyolite, the more I am liking it. This would not be my first choice for a hunting boot but now, after a few days of use, I am beginning to change my mind.

The choice is yours. If you are used to rubber boots the Rhyolite is a whole world ahead both in comfort and in stability. They did
exactly as the Stoney Creek catalogue said they would, and more.
RRP $299.90.

For more information see
www.stoneycreek.co.nz