User Review: Timberland Trail Vision

Timberland Trail Vision
Above: The current Trail Vision, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed April 21, 2006 by mario

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Materials: synthetic and nubuck leather, Gore-tex XCR lining
Use: day hikes, fast packing, over night backpacking
Break-in Period: none
Weight: 2lbs 10ozs
Price Paid: USD 38

To put things to perspective I would like to start with some background. I am an outdoor footware nut. I am amazed, puzzeled and amused by the changing technology, function, and innovation of outdoors footware in recent years.

Here is my current boot/shoe collection:

Scarpa SLM 3 - rugged hiking/backpacking
Tecnica Sigma GTX - backpacking/winter hiking
Vasque Velocity - trail running
Vasque Talus mid GTX - light hiking/no pack
Montrail Tamarack - summer hiking/small pack

After all this I was thinking that I "needed" a new pair of boots to feel a "critical gap". and that critical gap was a mid cut, mid weight, mid duty hiker that can double duty as a light backpacking boots. The Tamarack was close, but its low top design and lack of Gore-tex made it not adequate for my needs.

Revelation: Tamarack is a very comfortable pair of shoe, but, the thick cusioning at the heel makes it very prone to ankle twisting in rocky trails. I had my ankle twisted several times, so, now I only use it in and around town.

My quest:
As I was looking for some mid cut, mid duty boots, several popular boots came to my immediate consideration.

Lowa Renegade GTX Mid
Tecnica Vortex Mid / Firefly GTX
Montrail TRS Comp GTX
Garmont Flash Mid GTX and Eclips mid GTX
Asolo Skyland GTX

I actually bought the Renegades, Firefly, and Flash GTX, and Asolo Skyland GTX and tried the other ones at the stores.

While I was trying out the all these boots I came across the Timberland Trail Vision.

In one word, they are EXCELLENT. Construction, design, function and FIT.

Pros:
- synthetic and leather upper is really tough, durable and supportive, they are also very water resistant

- mid sole: simply a piece of beauty. its PU, so they are long lasting and provides all the cushion you need on the trails. there is some kind of plate, it protects you from those pocking rocks and studs.

- outsole, VIBRAM what more to say. It's stiff enough that you feel confident but not too much so that it limits you on long hiking days. I found the Renegade vibram soles to be too soft and a lack of heel in the Garmont Flash made it unfit in a fast decend.

lining: Gore-tex XCR is great for summer and keeps you dry in all weather, including downpours.

extra: leather lining at the collar and tongue adds extra comfort and it confirms to your feet so nicely.

- it looks great - on and off trails.

Cons:

- eyelets for the lacing system catches the laces and makes lacing a bit difficult.

Where to Buy

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