Backpacking Boots

Recent Backpacking Boot Reviews

Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX

Very good boot in dry weather. Recently used these doing the Old Rag Loop in the Shenandoah National Forest. Very nice boot until the top of the hike. Boots lacked grip during the Rock Scramble and slippery (you think you're good and then nope!) on any rock that is wet. Very good support carrying heavy loads. Toe of boot gets pretty gouged because of a lack of toe cap. I have noticed the Vibram sole chunking off, but I don't think it is affecting performance yet.. Full review

Salomon Quest 4 GTX

I'm on my third pair of these Salomons and they are by far my favorite backpacking boot. On two thru hikes of the Appalachian Trail each pair lasted eighteen hundred miles. Most of the popular hiking shoes last between five hundred and eight hundred miles. Years ago I worked at REI and sold more of this shoe than any other. The price back then was also $230. I was first struck by their immediate comfort. They felt fairly lightweight for such a large shoe and as compared to comparably-sized shoes. Salomon… Full review

Salomon Quest 4 GTX

A well-made heavy-ish hiking boot for backpacking and hiking. Excellent support and foot protection and comfortable. Works equally well for wider and narrower feet, and has a nice, grippy sole. On the heavy and pricy side for day hikers, and they run warm in the summer. INTRO/BASICS   I picked up the Quest 4s last May to replace a pair of Salomon mid boots, and because my younger brother raved about how they worked for him on a trek in Europe. The brand fits me well, and I was looking for a little… Full review

Vasque Sundowner GTX

Bring back the 1990’s quality. The new Chinese sole will almost undoubtedly split at ball of foot. The leather splits at the flex point within first year easily. I’ve owned 6-7 pair of these boots and will never own another since the shift to Chinese manufacturing. Danner Light II’s for me now, far superior to the Sundowner GTX. Full review

Hanwag Alaska GTX

Summary: All soles fall off after approximately seven years. Customer service disastrous (response after two weeks), denying any responsibility for their faulty work, demanding address in Germany for assistance. Boots are super heavy (old fashioned designs). After the sole of my Alaska GTX came off after 7 years (sole medium worn), I sent my boots to Hanwag for resoling asking for sole for alpine trekking (snow and rocks). The sole they put on slips terribly on snow. I even had an accident with… Full review

Iturri MTP Patrol Boots

Leather uppers, minimal stitching, no gtx, high ankle cuff, medium flex and torsional rigidity. Itturi are a Spanish boot maker manufacturing British MOD footwear and Altbergs none bespoke range. I've been using these boots for over a year now for most walking applications outside technical winter routes. I've used Microspikes and Kahtoola K10 crampons. Iturri MTP Patrol No gtx lining, a plus point, leather uppers, great sole unit, and I've picked up new stock for £50 gbp. This is fantastic for… Full review

Meindl Island Pro MFS

Comfortable, well fitting (MFS), rugged boot suited for everything from walking about town to alpen trails and light climbing. These boots fit like they used a personal last for my foot. I think that is mostly due to the last being very close to my foot shape and the MFS they use in this model. These boots wrap your foot securely in the MFS and do not allow movement inside the boot. Almost like an extension of your foot. This is my second pair of this same model. I bought the Anthracite color first… Full review

Meindl Perfekt

Built to last Very comfortable in summer as in winter It's a shoe you can trust As I write this review I've owned my Meindls Perfekt for 13 years now. With the exception of a period of two years where I suffered from gout and bought a pair of Hanwag Alaskas because they were more forgiving on my inflamed toe. To be short, in two years the Hanwag really need repairs. The Meindls have never been repaired. Never re-soled or anything. I give em reasonable care and wear them every day. Hiking, beach… Full review

Alico Tahoe

Good boot. I have owned different Alico boots in the past. I thought the Tahoe would be too lightweight for backpacking, but after trying them I think they are almost perfect weight. The keys for me were correct size, correct sock thickness, change out innersole to a Spenco below an OTC thin orthotic and breaking them in (about 50 miles). Bottom line—these are nice boots once they are configured for you correctly. Full review