9 Posts
Ecco is releasing the EXOSTRIKE, a Dyneema Leather Boot they’re billing as using the “World’s Toughest Leather.” We see brands make big claims like that all the time, so we’re always ready to do a bit of investigating and see how their claims stack up.
A lot of people seem to think that European stuff is always nicer than American. We definitely don’t think that’s is always the case, but sometimes the quality, craftsmanship and elegant design that a piece of European gear has just stands out. Meindl boots certainly fit that bill.
We all like a good pair of winter boots, but not everyone likes a pair that goes halfway to the knee. That’s where Merrell comes in. Merrell is known a lot more for their nimble, lightweight ankle boots than anything too bulky, and the Thermo Adventure Winter Boots follow in that vein.
What's this, more Under Armor hiking boots? It's still a little bit jarring to think of hiking boots and Under Armor in the same sentence, but they've already proven themselves to make some pretty comfortable, versatile pairs, and the Field Ops Gore-tex are no different. They actually market them as hunting boots, and they'll definitely serve whatever purpose you need them to.
It seems like more tennis shoe companies are entering the hiking boot market. Nike and hiking boots aren't usually in the same sentence. However, Nike has entered the trail shoe market with the introduction of the Nike Air Wild Mid Trail Shoe. You will find traction along with the typical Nike comfort in the Air Wild Mid Trail Shoe...the result is a "sneaker boot."
Finding comfortable footwear can be a challenge, especially for those of us with in-between sizes or widths. When it comes to hiking and outdoor shoes, that challenge can be even more so, which is why the Tecnica Forge line of boots is so great; thermo-formable footwear has been around for a while (especially in ski boots), but no one has really ventured into the world of lighweight hiking boots with them just yet.
There is something to be said about low-cut hiking shoes, but when it comes to long-distance backpacking trips, it’s time to break out the big boys. And we’ve worn our fair share of hiking boots throughout the years, but for a heavy-duty pair, nothing really compares to the Salomon Quest 4D GTX. Made with Salomon’s 4D Chassis, these things are sturdy and stable. The outsole is made from Contagrip – Salomon’s version of Vibram – and offers flawless performance in any terrain or condition, whether wet or dry. Parts of the sole that wear out faster are made of harder rubber, while the parts that get less wear are made of a lower density, more flexible rubber.