The more the weight on your feet, the less comfortable will be your hiking experience.
That said, Timberland boots weigh nearly 3.5 lbs. for both the pairs while normal hiking boots will weigh somewhere less than 2 lbs. That makes a difference of almost 1.5 lbs. in weight, which is enough to create the discomfort while hiking in sloppy terrains.
There is no doubt that Timberlands are one of the most stylish, durable and tough wearing boots, but when it comes to hiking, they might not be the best option for the very first reason that they are bulky and heavy and also cannot offer the adequate traction that is needed for hiking.
But, with modern advancements, Timberland has come up with especially designed hiking boots and I am going to talk about them in this article below.
Also, you will get to know the pros and cons of wearing Timberland as a hiking boot and get a comparison with the best hiking boots available in the market.
So, shall we start?
Pros and cons of Timberlands as hiking boots
Timberlands are not also the worst choice if you are planning to wear them for short hikes and I will tell you the reason why with the pros of Timberland boots:
1.) Timberlands are made for the fashion lovers and the workers:
Yes, undoubtedly the Classic yellow Timberland boots will make all heads turn towards you and why not hike with style? The work boot series of Timberland offer durability along with traction and waterproof features, all of which are adequate for short hikes.
2.) Timberland boots are waterproof:
Yes, Timberland boots are made of Nubuck leather or the full-grain leather, both of which are waterproof and is an utmost necessity of good hiking boots. For example, the Timberland Chocorua Trail are 100% waterproof and one of the best options for multi-day hikes.
3.) The Vibram outsole Timberland boots offer great traction:
Yes, most of the hiking boots of Timberland, like the Men’s 1978 Waterproof Hiking Boots use Vibram outsoles in them which are known for providing the best of traction in sloppy, slippery and uneven terrains.
Despite all these features, the following cons will stop you from choosing Timberlands as hiking boots:
1.) The weight of Timberland boots is on the heavier side:
As is mentioned earlier, a pair of Timberland boots will weigh nearly 3.5 lbs. which is quite heavy when you are planning to hike in them.
2.) The seams of Timberland boots are not that durable unlike the especially designed hiking shoes:
When you try to hike that extra mileage in the Timberland boots, the seams will give up after a period of time.
3.) Timberland boots are prone to wear and tear:
Yes, when it comes to hiking, it means you are going to wear the boots on harsh, slippery, graveled, waterlogged terrains and Timberland boots can’t stand these conditions for a long time and wear out easily.
4.) Not many of the models of Timberland use the needed type of outsole for traction:
The best traction is offered by Vibram or the GORE-TEX and only a few models of Timberlands use them.
5.) Timberland boots are not very flexible:
Flexibility and mobility are the features that are very crucial for hiking boots and Timberland boots are on the stiffer side.
Are Timberlands waterproof?
Yes, nearly all of the Timberland boots are waterproof and the reason behind is that they mostly use Nubuck leather (in their Classis boots) which gives a velvet-like texture and accounts for the water-resistant feature. Some of the heavy-duty Timberland boots are also made of full-grain leather which are waterproof too.
But though they are waterproof, you can expect some water stains on the leather after a period of time and to avoid that you can just apply a double layer of water-proof coating on the boots as soon as you take them out of the box.
If your boots are black in colour, you can just avoid the pre-waterproofing, but it becomes utmost necessity for the lighter coloured and whitish tones boots.
Fit of Timberland boots:
Timberland boots are heavy-duty boots with a tough built. Therefore, these boots might seem to offer a bit tight fit at the beginning which will gradually develop the snug fit with the breaking-in of the leather.
So, if you find your new pair of Timberland boots too tight, you can just condition them more often in order to loosen the leather fibers so that they break-in more quickly.
However, the fit of Timberland boots will vary with styles. For example, the Direct Attach Timberland boost will give a more comfortable fit while the Pit Boss range will offer a tighter fit.
Comparison of Timberland with other hiking boots
Let us now compare Timberland hiking boots with the best hiking shoes available in the market:
| Hiking Boots | Flexibility | Comfort | Weight | Traction | Waterproof and breathability | Wear and tear | Support and stability | Gusseted tongue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Sportiva Saber GTX | Very flexible | Great | Lightest in weight | Even on loose gravel | Yes | No | Foamy midsole and underfoot support | Yes |
| Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex | Rigid until broken-in completely | Great underfoot cushioning | Heavy weight | Very good traction | Yes | Almost NIL | Ankle and heel support and midfoot plate support | Yes |
| Merrell Men’s Moab 2 | Great in flexibility | The best in comfort | Light weight | Great traction | Yes | No | EVA contoured footbed and zonal arch, ankle support and air cushioning in the heel for absorbing shock | – |
| Timberland Men’s Mt. Maddsen | Not great | Great comfort with anti-fatigue Comfort Technology | Heaviest in weight | Good traction | Waterproof | Yes | Heel support, shaft support and compression molded EVA midsole support | Yes |
Recommended Timberland boots for hiking
Here’s a list of the top 3 Timberland hiking boots that you should give a try:
1.) Timberland Men’s Anti-Fatigue Hiking Waterproof Leather Mt. Maddsen Boot:
- Premium full-grain waterproof leather uppers
- TimberDry eco-conscious waterproof membrane keeps feet dry in any weather
- Fully gusseted tongue keeps out debris
- Anti-fatigue comfort technology provides all-day comfort
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
These full-grain leather boots will provide you the best of comfort while hiking with their anti-fatigue Comfort Technology, compression-molded EVA midsole support, good traction from the rubber outsole and support from the shaft.
The fully gusseted tongue of the boots will ensure that no debris get into the boots and also provides for easy cleaning of the boots because hiking is some activity which will definitely invite dirt and mud in the boots.
The uppers of the boots are definitely waterproof and also the added advantage is the Timber-Dry eco-conscious waterproof membrane that will ensure that your feet are dry in the extreme of climates.
2.) Timberland women’s Norwood mid waterproof hiking boot:
- Premium waterproof leather and fabric upper for durability
- Waterproof membrane keeps feet dry
- Fully gusseted tongue keeps out debris
- Durable 34% recycled rubber outsole features lugs for traction
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Girls, you are going to love these stylish boots from Timberland because of some of its unique features like the compression-molded EVA midsole that will provide soft cushioning to your delicate feet and also help in absorbing shock while you trek the uneven path.
The waterproof membrane will ensure that your feet will be dry despite the harshest of weather and the waterproof uppers will keep the rain water away.
You also don’t need to worry about the cleaning of the boots after hiking, because the fully gusseted tongue will help in keeping the debris away. The best part is, the lugs in the outsole offer for a tighter grip in slippery terrains.
3.) Timberland Men’s white ledge mid waterproof ankle boot:
- Our White Ledge Mens Hiking Boots have premium full-grain waterproof leather uppers, seam-sealed waterproof construction, and rustproof speed lace hardware with hooks at top for secure lacing.
- LOOK NO FURTHER for trail-ready performance and style.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
These boots will also not fail in providing the best traction possible with their multi-directional lugs in the outsole.
Being ankle-length high, these boots will save you from the twist and turns in the ankles while you hike and the EVA midsole and the EVA footbed will provide the much-needed support and comfort, making these boots one of the best choices for hiking.
See also: Hiking Boots vs Work Boots Comparison
And it’s a wrap!
Timberland might not be the best choice when it comes to hiking, but they are also not bad for short hikes while you need to walk in the city as well hike a little.
The hiking boots from Timberland that I have recommended for you will definitely not disappoint you, if you choose to wear them for short hikes.
