Are you planning a hiking trip? Are you thinking about taking your favorite Timberland boots along with you? If so, you will definitely enjoy our next post.
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Are Timberland Boots Good For Hiking?
The answer: While they are waterproof, Timberlands tend to lack good ankle support and are too bulky to be able to hike comfortably. For that reason, I would have to say that Timberland Boots are not good for hiking.
So, if you are going on a short hike and are thinking about bringing those Classics out from the closet, I say don’t. I would suggest you stick with wearing those Classics in a more casual setting.
That being said, even though the classics might not be the best fit, they do offer several options on the market to keep your feet comfortable whether on a short tip or a long hiking trip.
Additional Reading: How To Stop My Timberland Boots From Squeaking
My Top 4 Timberland Hiking Boots
Now that we have concluded that the Timberland brand does make some nice hiking boots though, let’s look at a few of my favorites…
Features:
- Leather Upper
- Rubber Sole
- Measuring 4.75 inches from arch
- Multi-directional traction – B.S.F.P System
- Removable footbed
- Rustproof
- Available in 3 different colors
- The weight of each shoe: 1.2 ounces
- Imported
(Please note, all of the above stats are based on the men’s pair, but they are also available in Women’s, just click here.)
You simply can’t mention the words ‘good Timberland hiking boots’ without talking about the Timberland White Ledge. This pair offers avid hikers all the bells and whistles they would want in a great shoe and more. Let’s briefly highlight a few key features.
One of the best features that really make this option stand out from the rest is that the upper is 100% leather. Having a leather upper offers two main benefits. First, it is waterproof, ensuring that your feet are dry the entire trip. Next, durability. Simple put, leather is going to last longer than other materials, such as rubber or synthetics. So if you are tired of buying boots that simply don’t last, then it might be time to switch over to a pair of White Ledge hiking boots.
Another important feature when it comes to hiking is having good traction. That is why Timberland has developed their B.S.F.P system. What does B.S.F.P stand for? It stands for Brake, Support, Flex, Propel. Basically what this means is that the lugs on the outsole are specifically placed, and are designed to bend in a way that offers you enhanced traction and additional support.
Lastly, a pair of shoes can have all the great features, but if they feel heavy on your feet, it can make for a looonng day hiking. Well, don’t worry, you won’t experience this problem with these boots. Each shoe weighs in at a little over a pound, making them pretty lightweight in comparison to most hiking boots.
Learn more about the great features in the following video:
You may also enjoy reading: Our Guide On Choosing The Best Hiking Boots For Machu Picchu
- Leather Upper – Mesh uppers
- Rubber Sole
- Measuring 5 inches from arch
- Removable footbed – Anti Fatigue Technology
- Rustproof
- The weight of each shoe: 1.6 ounces
- Imported
(Please note, all of the above stats are based on a men’s pair, but they are also available in Women’s, just click here.)
Next up we have the Chocorua Trail Hiking Boot. Now the first thing you might be thinking is “What is the difference between the White Ledge and the Chocorua? They look exactly the same and it appears like they offer the same features.”
Well, let talk about the similarities, as well as some features that make this boot unique.
Like the White Ledge, this boot is equipped with a leather upper, making it a great waterproof hiking boot. However, a common complaint when we talk about waterproof material is breath-ability. Leather is great in keeping water out, but it has a hard time letting moisture/sweat out. After a few hours hiking, this can make them quite uncomfortable.
Now I am not saying that the White ledge boot lacks breath-ability, but I feel like the Chocorua has taken it a step further to ensure that your feet stay dry and are comfortable all day long.
In order to make the boot more breathable, and ultimately more comfortable, the durable/waterproof uppers also features a Gore-Tex membrane allowing sweat to pass through the boot, all the while preventing moisture from coming in from the outside.
Now let’s discuss traction. As we mentioned earlier, the White Ledge is equipped with Timberland’s unique B.S.F.P system, in other words, a great way to personalize the traction to your feet/movement. Unfortunately, the Chocorua doesn’t offer that feature, but it still does offer a nice amount of traction.
Instead, the Chocorua boot offers something different. Yes, it has a removable footbed like other boots, but in this case, the insole is equipped with Anti Fatigue technology. This is a great feature to have if you are planning on spending long hours on your feet.
What does this anti-fatigue footbed mean for you and me? It means it is a great hiking boot, but also can be used anywhere you spend a lot of time on your feet, such as at the workplace or even around the house.
You may also enjoy reading: The Best Socks To Prevent Blisters When Hiking
Features:
- Waterproof Leather Upper
- Rubber Sole
- Rustproof
- Ortholite Footbed
- Aerocore Midsole
- TimberDry Membrane
- Weight: 1.3 ounces per shoe
The next pair on our list will not only keep you light on your feet, but you will look pretty fancy hiking in them too. They are the 1978 Aerocore Hiker Boots.
Did you now that Timberland released their original hiking boots in the year 1978? Well, this year they are giving their original boots a facelift. They have added some great features in hopes that this boot will climb to the top (pun intended).
Let’s take a look.
To begin, let me ask you a question, have you ever bought a new pair of shoes that are extremely comfortable at first, but then they slowly start to lose that comfort? (I think we all have, right?!) Let’s face it, it’s quite disappointing.
Well to combat that from happening, Timberland has released this boot with what they call an Ortholite footbed. This footbed is designed to prevent that very thing from happening. Thus, these this boots will feel just as comfortable on the 30th hike as they did on the first.
Another important feature that we have stressed quite often in this post is to choose a boot that is lightweight. Once again, Timberland has given this original boot a unique facelift by equipping it with Aerocore Technology.
Basically, what this means is you are going to have a standard outsole with a fair amount of traction, but the benefit is that it is much lighter than others on the market, keeping this boot lightweight.
Lastly, let’s talk about the Timber-Dry membrane. This membrane is made with 50% plastic bottles. How they turn plastic bottles into a membrane to keep your feet dry, I have no idea. But what I do know is that this membrane will definitely keep your feet dry after a long day of hiking.
Oh by the way, did I mention the look. Yes, this boot will definitely get you some looks, as it is very stylish, even for a hiking boot.
Features:
- Waterproof Leather Upper
- Rubber Sole
- Measuring 5 inches from arch
- Multidirectional traction – B.S.F.P System
- Anti-Fatigue Technology
- TPU Shank
- Weight: 1.1 ounces per shoe
(Please note, all of the above stats are based on a men’s pair, but they are also available in Women’s, just click here.)
To conclude our list, let’s take a closer look at the Mt. Maddsen Hiking Boots.
As you can see from the features above, there are some similarities in comparison with other options that we have already mentioned. For example, it is equipped with the Anti-Fatigue technology, ensuring that you are comfortable after hours and hours on your feet.
It is also equipped with that unique B.S.F.P outsole system, giving you the best traction with each and every step that you take.
And of course like most Timberlands, it is equipped with waterproof leather uppers, giving you footwear that is durable and waterproof.
However, you will notice that there is a unique feature about this pair. It is the TPU shank. What is that and why it is a great feature?
Generally, a shank is a piece of metal or fiberglass that runs down the middle of a shoe starting from the front and going towards the back. Nowadays many work boots are equipped with metal shanks as it makes them more comfortable to wear, especially for construction workers, masons or others who spend a large amount of time climbing ladders.
Why put this feature on a hiking boot?
They have included this feature because it makes the boot more difficult to twist or bend. Think about the last time you went hiking and the workload that you put our shoes through. They no doubt had to twist and bend as you were walking over rocks, trekking through forests and maneuvering yourself on unstable ground.
Not only can this take a heavy toll on the footwear itself, but it can also easily result in an injury, such as a sprained ankle. So though this feature may seem small, they have actually greatly increased the shoes overall rigidity and thus offered your feet more protection.
Related Post: Are Sorel boots good for hiking?
Final Thoughts…
So can you hike in Timberlands? Well, not yet, but does Timberland know how to construct a good boot?
Absolutely. Timberland has so many options that we weren’t able to include them all in this post. In fact, the most difficult part you might have now is not finding a great hiking boot, but deciding which one to get!
What experiences do you have hiking with Timberland Boots? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below.
