One of the most conspicuous differences between the stereotypical ultralight hiker and the traditional backpacker is footwear. Tall leather boots to protect the feet and ankles are still the conventional recommendation for the latter, while most ultralight hikers favor trail runners of some sort, low cut shoes with soles that are typically much more flexible. One need look no further than the BPL forums to see that while this generalization may not be true for every individual, the zeitgiest of traditional, heavier backpacking sees boots as necessary and proper. The threads, which appears at least fortnightly, invariable ask some variation of the following: will my feet and ankles be ok if I give up my big boots?
For this review I will stand this question on its head - assuming that light and flexible trail shoes are best for the de facto hiker, largely irrespective of pack weight, and from this ask rather under what circumstances might a waterproof boot be useful. There are actually two questions here, for the utility of boots and the utility of waterproof footwear for hiking should be addressed separately. After these questions are examined, I will in conclusion discuss the virtues of the Timberland LiteTrace, how the boot does and does not fit into the conclusions concerning the utility of boots for lightweight wilderness travel, and compare the LiteTrace to the closest currently available competitors.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- The Niche of Waterproof boots
- The Appropriateness of Waterproof Footwear for Wilderness Travel
- The Role of Boots in hiking success
- Conclusions
# WORDS: 2350
# PHOTOS: 7
Member Exclusive
A Premium or Unlimited Membership* is required to view the rest of this article.
* A Basic Membership is required to view Member Q&A events
Discussion
Become a member to post in the forums.
Companion forum thread to:
Timberland LiteTrace Boot Review
Glad that you are softening your positions a little on this subject. Not that I am put off by opinionated articles as such. But sometimes things can get a little too pedantic, as with the observation in your prior referenced article: "It is foolhardy to go into the woods without good balance and strong joints." Does that mean you are banishing all of us without strong joints from backpacking? You seem smart enough to figure out how we are going to feel about that without my spelling it out.
While the choice of a Timberland product, of no better than average quality, might be seen as designed to fail, your inclusion at the end of the article of the Salomon products, that are usually of higher quality, removed this impression.
So, thank you for a very interesting and helpful article, overall.
It's good to try new things and expand opinions, and this was one of those times. I thought I'd have to remind myself constantly to give the boots their due, but early winter worked out such that I used them quite a bit.
That said, I haven't softened my stance on preventative fitness one iota. I'm not saying that people with less than ideal physiology should stay home, but strengthening joints isn't obscure or difficult to do, though it is hard, slow and often quite boring. The BC park rangers I know haul loads of backpackers out on horses every summer, and these are rescues which effectively began with individual complacency 8-10 months (or years) earlier.
I've been surprised at the overall lack of interest in this boot. I got a pair last fall and used them quite a bit this winter.
They aren't just light and 'waterproof'. There is no padding to speak of, and thus nothing to absorb moisture. This is a feature I haven't seen elsewhere on the market and what I think makes these boots so appealing. Alas, I didn't even see this mentioned here. Every other 'waterproof' shoe I've used absorbs water and then wets through pretty quickly. These boots are different.
Your coverage of the toe problem and fit are spot on. You can see my review at REI: http://reviews.rei.com/review/822802/Timberland-Lite-Trace-WP-Mid-Hiking-Boots-Mens
My solution was to put a thin piece of foam inside to protect the top of my toes. They are comfortable now but I still had to break them in carefully, and I continue to leave the foam in the toe. I hope Timberland fixes the toe problem and improves the fit in the next iteration.
Become a member to post in the forums.