Cons: Would be better with a rubber protector on the toe to prevent major toe scuffing.
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for an inexpensive hiking boot that is comfortable, light, and waterproof, give these a try. You will likely want to wear them out of the store.
ncphototrekker's Full Review: Timberland Chocorua Trail Mid Hiker for Men
When it came time to replace my Coleman hiking boots of 10 years (I really got my money’s worth out of them), I looked at lots of different hiking boots. My criteria were simple: reasonably priced, comfortable, and waterproof. The waterproof part was mandatory as I love to photograph waterfalls and my previous boots allowed my feet to get wet entirely too easy. I tried on many boots made by different manufacturers but found them to feel like boots. They were very clunky, and heavy. My previous Coleman boots felt more like tennis shoes, and that is what I was looking for.
I tried on the Timberlands at a local sporting goods store and found that they fit excellent (I wear a size 15) and provide great support. They are made of leather, don’t have a steel toe, and the ankle support comes up to a perfect level. I walked around in them briefly and determined that these actually felt like tennis shoes. The price was right in my mind so I made the purchase. The salesman told me that this was a very popular seller at the store…I bet he says that about all of the footwear. Regardless, I was excited to try these boots out…especially the Gortex lining that comes up to ankle height.
Observations in the field…
My first use of these boots was on a Trek to a waterfall. I pretty much put them through their paces both as a hiking boot, a shallow water wading boot, and a stable platform on slippery rocks. What I found was the boot performed flawlessly over the mile or so hike (one way). I had plenty of support, and the leather offered plenty of protection as I made my way through ground clutter and rocks along the path. The tread offered plenty of traction and gave me confidence in climbing places that I had previously been apprehensive about.
At the destination of the hike, I found myself face to face with the mighty Linville Falls of North Carolina. Now was the time I had looked forward to…will the Gortex work as advertised? I had my doubts, but was willing to risk wet feet to see. Not only did I walk for a time in the water, I actually stood in a shallow part of the water for a while setting the camera up and taking a few pictures. I am pleased to report that at no time did my feet even get damp. I could tell that the water was cooler than the ambient temperature, but that was my only indication that I was standing in ankle deep water.
With the soles now completely wet, I still managed to climb up on some large rocks that had been smoothed by years of rushing water. It was almost like these boots were suction cups attached to the bottoms of my feet. Of course, I never trust that any boot will keep me from falling and always test my footing before putting my full weight on the foot.
I now knew that they worked as advertised and were comfortable for short hikes, but what about long hikes and extended weekend camping trips? The longer I wear these boots the more comfortable they become. After 4 solid days camping with these being my only shoes, my feet are still in good shape. I have not had a single blister, or other boot related problem. I guess I should also mention that I wear regular Hanes tube socks with these boots, and not the hiking socks that have all that extra padding.
Final Thoughts…
While I am sure that everyone’s feet will react differently to each type of boot, I would recommend checking this boot out when you are in the market. I’m willing to bet that after you try it on, you will be sold on its comfort. Keep in mind, no matter how great they feel in the store, after you have broken them in, you will hardly notice that you are wearing a pretty substantial boot. If you are like me and have limited experience with Gortex, let me tell you…it works. This stuff allows your feet to breathe and will wick moisture away from your feet (as long as the outside temperature is cooler than your body temperature). I just can’t say enough good things about this material.
If I were forced to find any fault with the boot, it would be cosmetic in nature. While the design of the boot looks great, I have found myself wishing that the toe had a protective rubber coating on it as other boots do in this category. I don’t like the way that looks, as it reminds me of my rain boots from when I was a kid. However, the toes of my Timberlands have become scuffed with many a losing fight with rocks and roots along trails. Like I said, this is only cosmetic and has nothing to do with the functionality of the boot. It just would have been a nice touch.
With six months and many miles on these boots, they have held up wonderfully. I can see myself trekking in these boots for many years, and when the time comes to replace them, I will likely look toward Timberland for the new boots.
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