Forsake Patch Mid Review

With a clean, stylish aesthetic and the functionality to adventure in almost any season, the Forsake Patch Mid offer an extended range of wear beyond shoveling the front porch. These boots are the most versatile in our review, spanning summer hikers into autumn adventurers, with the capability to navigate mild winter conditions and snow, extending your season all the way into spring's mud and rain. They offer warmth, breathability, traction, and weather protection while pairing well with casual clothes and dinner after a day of skiing. Depending on the conditions you spend the most time in through winter, the Forsake Patch Mid is a versatile pick for more than just shoveling the walk.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

Most winter boots are layered with 100-200 grams of insulation. The Patch Mid features an unconventional approach to keeping feet warm and dry. The wicking mesh lining plus HydroGuard waterproof membrane (as opposed to a proper insulation layer like Thinsulate) leans more toward a summer hiking boot, but we found that the Patch Mid boots are ideal in shoulder seasons and mild winter conditions. The waterproof layer works to keep moisture out and offers a slight degree of insulating properties to keep feet warm and comfortable. The breathable lining keeps feet dry but allows moisture to escape rather than condense, therefore keeping you warm and dry.

On-trail performance differed substantially from our controlled temperature tests, as our feet stayed cozy and warm while walking along packed snow paths and while hiking in sub-30-degree temperatures. Our winter boots span a broad window of temperatures that they excel in – from crisp winter walks in single digits to mid-40s hikes on packed snow, the Patch Mid is designed to manage moisture, temperature fluctuations, and encounters with snow and water.

In controlled tests, without feet in the boots, the lack of proper insulation equates to a notable loss of heat in the Forsake Patch Mid. During an ice bath test, the Patch Mid measured a 24-degree (Fahrenheit) loss in warmth. In our snow bank test, where we submerged the boots in shaded snow for a period of time, the Patch Mid boots lost 16 degrees in warmth.

We wouldn't recommend these boots for sedentary winter outings like snowmobiling or hanging out in the snow, but they kept our feet warm and dry during cold, wintery hikes and dog walks. While standing around on snow, the lack of insulation became noticeable over time. Activity-focused outings and urban winters are ideal for the degree of warmth the Patch Mid provides.

Weather Protection

The Forsake Patch Mid is 5.5" tall, measuring relatively low in our Women's Winter Boot category. Most winter boots average a 10" height, from the bottom of the sole to the top of the ankle shaft. While a higher boot is preferred for deep snow or navigating waterways, the Forsake Patch Mid offers a good height for hiking, walking, and casual wear in the spring and fall. Despite offering less protection in height, they kept our feet warm and dry in mild conditions, such as shallow puddles, the edges of lakes and rivers, and in packed snow. With the ability to properly lace and tighten the ankle shaft, snow was kept at bay, even when it exceeded the ankle height, but gaiters were preferred for extended time walking in deep snow.

Our feet stayed dry in standing water that measured less than 5". At a 5" depth, water seeped in slowly, and by 5.5", our feet were wet. Similar results were experienced when testing the Forsake Patch Mid in the snow- they excel on packed snow and through shallow puddles, but in deep water and snow, the relatively short height eventually compromises dry feet.

Compared to similar style winter boots in our review, the 5" depth for staying dry is above average. For comparison, boots like the Keen Betty have an 8.5" height with water seeping in at 3.5" of water depth and the Columbia Minx Shorty have a 6.5" height with water seeping in at 4".

Overall, the Forsake Patch Mid offers water protection within a ½ inch of its ankle height, which is enough for the majority of casual winter wear and activity.

Comfort and Fit

Shoulder seasons are unpredictable, and finding the perfect boot for weather that sometimes feels like summer yet can present winter conditions in an instant can be tricky. Our top pick, Forsake Patch Mid, shines in this middle ground. Full-grain leather uppers shed light snow and moisture, enhancing the length of season for these boots. And the Nordic-style aesthetic adds style to their functionality.

The TPE footbeds are basic but offer adequate support for ~3-8 mile hikes, walking around town, dog walks, and urban adventures. We recommend exploring a more supportive footbed if you intend to spend longer mileage days in the Patch Mid.

A considerable drawback of the Forsake Patch Mid is the soft leather upper that flexes with each step. Where this becomes most concerning is while navigating steep, loose trails. These boots require a bit of trial and error to get the lacing just right. Skillful lacing and a mediocre footbed are a couple of reasons they do not excel as long-range hiking boots. When worn as a shoulder season boot that can navigate mild winter conditions, comfort ranks high in our testing. With thick winter socks as well as wool hiking socks, our feet remained comfortable on urban outings and short wintery ventures on well-worn paths.

Durability

The amount of durability you require from a winter boot will largely depend on your intended use of them. If you're looking for a pair of boots to wear while shoveling a fresh few inches so that you can get out of the driveway, you probably aren't going to require the same level of durability as someone who is heading out snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or embarking on a real-deal winter expedition.

The full-grain leather uppers on the Patch Mid are durable enough for trudging through snow and loose rocky trails but are not designed to withstand too much abrasion without damaging the soft leather material. In testing, the soles held up to scuffing on rough sandstone, asphalt, and rocks without much appearance of wear.

Traction

Forsake's proprietary Peak to Pavement rubber outsoles offer adequate traction on mixed surfaces. We tested these boots on frozen streams, up and down steep inclines, packed snow, and loose dirt trails in cold temps.

They shine on predictable surfaces where traction is appreciated but not necessarily high consequence. On steep inclines, the Forsake Patch Mid boots retain traction and stability, but on the descents, they lose their integrity and offer questionable footing.

Should You Buy the Forsake Patch Mid?

The Forsake Patch Mid is a stylish option for shoulder season activity and urban outings. They offer great traction on loose dirt, snow, and ice as long as the surfaces aren't high-consequence. Breathable mesh lining keeps feet dry while hiking and walking in a wide range of temperatures- from late Summer and early Fall trail days to mild mid-winter jaunts to variable Spring weather that often presents moisture. Until the snow piles deep enough for your Pac boots, these are an excellent choice.

What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?

For a stylish option that ranks similarly across our testing metrics, consider the Blundstone Thermal - Women's, or for a little more insulation paired with style, the Danner Inquire Mid Insulated is a worthy consideration. The Forsake Patch Mid boots aren't suitable for deep winters or excess rain and snow; for deep snow and extreme winter conditions, consider the Baffin Chloe. If most of your time is spent in areas that receive excess rain, consider our Top Pick award for wet winters, the Muck Boot Arctic Ice Tall AGAT.