North Face Sable GTX XCR Hiking Shoe in fossil/ivory
I wrote about these hikers in a previous entry about four years ago where I was very explicit that I didn't want and hadn't ever looked for this item, but times change! Basically, my alts that I had had for 13 years were finally falling to pieces and I needed a new pair of hiking shoes. I didn't want a new pair because I find most shoes in this style hideous, but I walk my dog every day and needed something practical. Then it dawned on me: perhaps I could find Amy's hikers, and then I would have something on my feet that I didn't hate and expand my collection!
These shoes have been out of production for approximately 10 years now so I didn't fancy my chances. Given I intend to wear these a lot to walk Wanda, I also wasn't prepared to buy a worn pair. By an enormous stroke of luck, I found a brand new without box pair in my size which also arrived two days before I was set to do a photo shoot with some other cosplayers in this cosplay! I don't often credit luck with anything in my collection, but this was definitely a lucky moment.
I haven't spent much time looking for these shoes but given how North Face is very trendy, you can expect to pay a fair bit for these even in a secondhand condition. I made quite a low offer and the seller accepted, which was great, and I paid more in shipping (as usual) but came out of this sale just over $AUD100. While looking around I found another pair that were in wretched condition and an alt in boot form, so there is that option if you are searching for these, too. I actually haven't seen another cosplayer selling these, though I know of two people who have them. I'm not sure if that's because most people aren't bothering with collecting them due to cost/ready availability of good alts or if they are rare. However, given the age of Amy's gear now, most things are on the rare spectrum.
These are so comfortable. I felt like I was walking on springs and am annoyed now that I didn't look for these years ago! I wore them to a shoot on a 38c/100f day and my feet remained very cool. The sizing seems about right to me, although if I were wearing thick socks I would likely want to go up half a size. They're lightweight and, while sitting lower on my foot than previous hikers, comfy. Definitely a summer hiking shoe, they would not bear well in winter or wet conditions despite the claims of being waterproof. Okay with a little rain, but not a soaking.
These will be in my everyday wardrobe now and if you're on the fence about collecting these, I can't recommend them enough.
The Impossible Astronaut
The Day of the Moon