There are some purchases which I class as a “no brainer”. The Palm Gradient boot is one such item. Every year Palm somehow seems to improve the boot, and every year it gets better.

The Palm gradient has been my “go to” water boot for freshwater kayak fishing escapades for the last 5 years. In that time, I have used 3 different variants of the boot…

I need something which is lightweight, tough and not too hot in the summer. This is what Palm say about the 2016 upgrades…

Revamped for summer 2016, the Gradient steps it up – with fewer seams, tougher components, and reinforcement where it matters. Our Vibram sole, moulded from confidence inspiring HydroGrip rubber, is the ultimate in wet traction. The boot is shaped to provide ankle support whilst remaining low profile to fit comfortably in a kayak and the insole can be removed if you want extra space inside for thick socks. The upper is reinforced from heel to toe with thick scratch rubber. For hike-ins‚ scouting and portaging‚ the Gradient is tougher than ever.

Materials

3 mm CR neoprene‚ layered mesh‚ scratched rubber

Entry

• Slip-on
• Boot cut with reduced heel
• Pull tabs

Adjustment

Laces for secure fit

Weight

418 g (9)

Construction

• Open tongue
• Double stitched seams

Sole

• Multitendo sole pattern
• Vibram HydroGrip compound

Other Features

• Stretch neoprene collar against grit ingress
• Scratched rubber toe protection
• Solid TPU reinforcement
• Low profile heel
• Second pair of colour co-ordinated laces

Inner

• Cushioning midsole
• Removable insole to adjust fit
• EVA layer for comfort without insole

Last

Paddling specific shape to accommodate drysuit socks

When you first wear the boots, the first thing that strikes you, is how light they are. For a tough chunky boot, they don’t weigh a lot.

The next thing which you realise, is that they are incredibly comfortable. When I go out in the kayak fishing, I am normally out on the water for a long time. I normally wear  waterproof trousers with fabric boots. If you are planning on doing the same, then I would always advise getting a boot at least 1 size bigger than you normally wear. I have also worn the boots in bare feet, and this also worked well.

The boots are tough – kayak fishing is tough on gear, and I use a Hobie kayak, which is pedalled rather than paddled. This puts more wear, stress and strain on the boots – they are more than up to the task.

Dragging a fishing kayak out of a river or up a muddy bank, is not an easy task at the best of times. So the grip on the sole of the boots is very important to us. The Palm Gradient does not disappoint in this department. The Vibram sole has a deep tread, and although its tough, it still flexes. The grip in the wet is superb.

The lace eyelets are built into the material – this is so much better than using metal eyelets, as they are far less prone to rust.

There are also some nice little touches that show that Palm have thought about the design of the boot. One such addition, is the loops on the back of the boot, which can be used to hang them up when drying them out.

I have abused the 2016 boots on several kayak fishing trips, and they have taken everything in their path.

Conclusion

I cannot find anything negative to say about these boots. Palm have taken what was already a great boot, and improved it still further. As I said at the start of the review, this is one of those pieces of equipment which is a “no brainer” and I would recommend it to anyone who it serious about kayak fishing, kayaking or canoeing.

The good bits…

• Tough – Palm have reduced the number of seams in the 2016 boot, and used tougher materials in its construction
• Lightweight (480g for size 9)
• Drain quickly when you exit the water
• Great Vibram sole grip
• Comfortable

The bad bits… there aren’t any, the only thing I can say is…

• Maybe it could be a little bit cheaper… but then again, as most people find out the hard way, quality costs – and I do not begrudge paying a reasonable price for something which I can trust, and which is going to last me for a long time.

You can read more about the Gradient boot on Palm’s website.