REVIEW: Haix P9 Desert

It's hot. It's dry. It needs a boot that is light yet sturdy. We tested the Haix P9 Desert for you. And not just in a hot and dry environment... The Haix P9 Desert is not an unknown candidate: in German Bundeswehr jargon, it is called "combat boot hot/dry," which pretty much describes the environment in which the beige footwear is designed to be used. But it wouldn't be a German shoe if its range of use didn't go far beyond that specification. This makes it stand out from much of the competition, especially when compared to American footwear. Their Desert Boots are only good for the desert. And heaven forbid if they get wet...

Haix paid attention to the design of the shoe so that the boots do not look too militant. This is also reflected in the way they are made. The molded sole and an upper material made of supple suede leather and durable polyamide fabric insert give the Desert P9 its pleasing appearance and make the boot discreetly wearable on a civilian foot. The fit is excellent, and at a height of around 23 centimeters, the lace-up boot also provides good protection against ankle twists.

A Micro-Dry lining at the top of the shaft ensures a good climate throughout the shoe. If things do get damp inside: there is an insole with good moisture absorption and quick drying in the footbed, easily replaceable and practical to wash (it is even worth having two pairs of insoles).

The Haix Desert P9 also shines with a triple-layer Gore-Tex laminate, making it waterproof and breathable. But with Gore-Tex, it's a bit of a double-edged sword: when it gets hot and there is too little temperature difference between the inside and outside, you can still sweat in such a shoe, even if a Gore-Tex designed specifically for hot climates was used here. The same goes for if the shoe gets too dirty or too wet, reducing the moisture-wicking function of Gore-Tex. Those who only wear shoes in fair weather conditions might be better off with a shoe without a laminate. For everyone else, the P9 Desert is prepared for all situations. With this "boot", you can handle any better lacquer. Also, dry weathering rain showers is no problem for the feet.

CONCLUSION: Desert boots should be able to do more than just be a shoe for hot weather, especially if worn in a climate that doesn’t rule out regular rain showers. The Haix P9 Desert is a solid candidate, available from 160 euros and shines by being wearable as civilian footwear.

Visit Haix online at: www.haix.com/germany/.