What are the Konseal FL GTX's?
The Konseal FL GTX's are some of the most technical, incredibly well made and exceptionally comfortable approach shoes available. Use them in the crag, up the mountains or just as a super comfortable, waterproof walking shoe, they really are that versatile.
What are the Konseal FL's made of?
Upper: Arc'teryx are always the kings of detail; after all, their trademark motto is 'obsessive design'. The upper of the shoe is made from a water resistant, breathable, tough as nails ripstop with a protective film to add further abrasion resistance. This entire upper half is a single piece of fabric, reducing the amount of seams and stitch points needed to keep the shoe together. Speaking of seams and stitch points, there are very, very few! Arc'teryx fasten every piece of fabric down with micro-sized pieces of taping which glue the fabrics together internally, eliminating the possiblity that a rock, bramble or sharp object of some sort will pull a stitch loose. 1mm thick over-lasted synthetic nubuck is then overlaid over the ripstop upper to resist abuse while climbing, scrambling and walking. A huge moulded rubber toe cap finishes this super durable shoe off and takes the majority of climbing abuse. As you can probably tell by now, the Konseal's are built to last...and last, and last, and last...
Membrane: Underneath that upper is a Gore-tex membrane that is fully waterproof to protect your feet in the worst weather.
Midsole: The midsole of the Konseal's has also been redesigned to offer improved weight with the stiffness required for climbing and approach use. Ledges, smears and tight spaces become more confident, while walking long distances allows you to forget about your feet in blissful comfort. Unlike most midsoles, Arc'teryx's feature a raised sidewall to further improve stability and confidence on technical terrain.
Liner: Slipping your foot into the Konseal's feels effortless and instantly feels 'right'. A 4mm thick Ortholite 3D moulded footbed provides superior comfort and support for long walks and the laces can be adjusted in two positions to further improve the fit around your ankle. The inner of the tongue is also wider than most and features a thick layer of padding for a secure yet not blood flow-limiting fit.
Sole Unit: No one likes heavy footwear. Lugging kilograms of weight around with each step over hours of technical terrain isn't fun. Not only do the Konseal FL's weigh a miniscule 300g, they are also sealed in just about every location to avoid debris collecting and adding further weight. A self-cleaning Vibram Megagrip sole further epitomises the lightweight nature of this shoe by shedding mud and scree without the need for a pointy stick. This sole has also been designed to offer differently shaped lugs in different places on the shoe to ensure optimal performance. For example, larger, sharper lugs are placed at the back of the shoe (the heel) to act as brakes when descending, while a flat 'climbing zone' section allows you to smear with confidence.
How do the Konseal FL's fit?
The Konseal FL's generally fit an average to slightly narrower foot. They have an average volume to offer a precise, stable fit when out on more difficult terrain, but also to leave enough wiggle room for your toes. It also means that they tend to fit quite a wide range of feet. Getting footwear sizing right online can be tricky, so we recommend giving our Footwear Sizing Guide (found below in the Care and Advice section) a quick read.
Summary
The Konseal FL's will be your go-to shoe no matter your adventure - they will adapt to your terrain with ease and offer you great all round protection and support no matter where you choose to take them.
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Waterproof Gore-Tex membrane
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Secure, comfortable fit
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Two lacing positions
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Minimal seams and no stitch points
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Large rubber protective rand
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Nubuck reinforcements
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Ripstop upper
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Extremely lightweight
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Self-shedding, sticky sole
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Debris shedding design
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Cushioned and soft underfoot
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3D footbed
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Supportive midsole