REVIEW: LEGUANO HUSKY – cosy slippers for harsh conditions

REVIEW: LEGUANO HUSKY – cosy slippers for harsh conditions REVIEW: LEGUANO HUSKY – cosy slippers for harsh conditions

Stories and Brands Selecting and Maintaining Barefoot Shoes Reviews

We tested the insulated leguano husky boots. They meet demanding outdoor requirements, combining comfort and flexibility even in extreme conditions.

Spending winter above the Arctic Circle in barefoot footwear doesn’t exactly sound like the most sensible idea at first. But put the prejudice aside: leguano husky can handle even seemingly unforgiving frost with ease.

Tested model

LEGUANO HUSKY

Best for

light trekking, winter, leisure, city wear

Upper material

polyurethane

Lining

polyester faux fur

Outsole

LIFOLIT®

Fit

also suitable for medium to narrower feet

Boot height

mid (mid-height)

Colour options

black

Available sizes

36–47

Price

5 399 Kč

Testing conditions

Norway and the Pyrenees, winter/spring, down to –20 °C, snow, water, mountains

Manufacturer

leguano

The Norwegian city of Tromsø is the world’s third-largest settlement above the Arctic Circle. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the average temperature in winter months sits at around –4.5 °C, and even the record low didn’t reach –19 °C. Despite a stable snow cover, the weather is very changeable and temperatures sometimes jump above zero. Over winter, I work in Tromsø as a photographer and Northern Lights guide. In these uncompromising conditions, I properly put the winter boots LEGUANO HUSKY through their paces. And I really didn’t go easy on them.

Main pros:

  • they feel great from the very first wear
  • excellent grip on both wet and frozen surfaces
  • thanks to the insulated lining, they stay pleasantly warm when you’re moving
  • the well-treated upper keeps water out brilliantly
  • the boots are very light and packable
  • they look great in the mountains and in the city

Main cons:

Key features and technical assessment

The barefoot shoes LEGUANO HUSKY are primarily designed for autumn, winter and spring. At first glance, they look very thin, which naturally makes you think they can’t possibly be warm enough. Thanks to the insulated lining, though, the opposite is true. The boots also fit comfortably from the very first wear and provide comfort from toes to heels. With the higher cut reaching above the ankles, water has a hard time getting in, and with well-applied waterproofing you don’t need to worry about damp at all.

Pulling them on is easy thanks to the width of the boot, and lacing them up is straightforward. Even when tightened firmly, they still feel like comfy slippers on your feet.

The bubble-pattern sole is very thin while still providing maximum sensory feedback. I often walked tens of kilometres in them and didn’t have the slightest issue with blisters or any other pressure points. That said, I should add that I’m used to long walks, and barefoot beginners will need to build up to that gradually.

On slippery surfaces the boots, thanks to the unusual tread pattern, hold fairly reliably. Of course, on smooth ice or wet mud they’ll still be slippery, just like any other footwear, but overall I felt safe in leguano husky.

Thanks to their dark, versatile design, they go with almost any outfit. In the city I felt smart in them, while in the mountains I blended right in with the sporty crowd. Visually, that versatility is absolutely spot on.

Field testing

Above the Arctic Circle in Norway

In these remote corners of our planet, I work as a photographer and Northern Lights guide. In practice, that means spending long nights outdoors – definitely the coldest part of the day. Depending on the weather, we go to watch the aurora either along the coast or further inland. By the sea, temperatures are kinder and the biggest enemy is mainly salt water. A few times, through my own inattention, I let a small wave wash over my boots. With a well-waterproofed upper, though, this isn’t a problem – even if it’s generally better to avoid salt water where possible.

Inland, along the Finnish and Swedish borders, temperatures can drop to extreme lows and at around minus twenty degrees, standing outside for a long time is anything but pleasant. You could certainly reduce the cold with a thicker insole, but I’m not sure it would be enough to keep your feet truly warm. Over time, I’ve built up a certain tolerance to cold coming up through the soles.

When a thaw did arrive, the streets of Tromsø suddenly turned into a paddling pool. Throughout it all, I was genuinely pleasantly surprised by how reliably these boots kept water out.

More than anything, though, I enjoyed the irreplaceable comfort, which I don’t think I’ve felt so strongly in any other shoes.

In the spring Pyrenees

In April 2022, I headed to the Spanish Pyrenees for a short visit. At altitudes of 2,000 m and above, there was still more than a metre of snow – which, to be honest, I wasn’t expecting. Hiking routes at those heights were geared mainly towards ski tourers and people on snowshoes. I obviously didn’t fall into either group, so there was nothing for it but to somehow manage in barefoot shoes.

Back then, I could have had anything on my feet and I still wouldn’t have stayed dry. Around 25 km, sometimes knee-deep in snow – and in the end I still wouldn’t hear a word against the comfort of my LEGUANO HUSKY.

That experience convinced me that even seemingly laid-back boots can cope with more extreme conditions with ease.

Final verdict

Minimalism has been my personal obsession for many years. The fewer things I own, the freer I feel – and when I do decide to add something material to my life, I’m picky about quality. The barefoot boots LEGUANO HUSKY certainly didn’t disappoint. I love their elegant, well-thought-out style and, as a constant traveller, I also appreciate the low weight and brilliant packability.

For extremely freezing conditions, I’d rather consider warmer footwear, but for everyday winter use they meet all requirements brilliantly. I also appreciated that in heated indoor spaces I had no issues with sweaty feet. On slippery surfaces they grip impressively thanks to the distinctive sole design, and they simply look great both in the city and in the mountains.

From the moment I first put them on, I knew we’d get on brilliantly.

The barefoot leguano husky were tested by Marek Rybář. A passionate traveller, professional photographer and guide, extreme minimalist and lifelong backpacker. With a love of nature, he most often seeks out Nordic and mountainous countries, where he enjoys breathtaking landscapes and the ever-present silence. In his spare time, he also writes a blog about his adventurous travels. Over winter he guides tourists to see the Northern Lights in northern Norway, and for the rest of the year he focuses on photography and workshops.

 

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