Whether it be for working in the shop or bringing together a top-notch outfit, the Timberland Yellow boot is one not to ignore.
The classic Timberland yellow boot has developed from a practical work boot to cope with snowbound winters and grew into a fashion icon. The classic yellow boot has been a consistent shoe for many years, and it has grown into one of the most well-known boots in the world.
The footwear you put on your feet is a critical decision and picking good hiking boots is often more critical than your fashion statement. You’ll need to consider comfort, appearance, and overall construction.
Timberland makes great boots that are incredibly supportive, rubber bottoms for lots of grip, and premium full-grain leather that is highly durable.
The question is, do Timberland’s go from work boots of a fashion item and crossover to a magnificent pair of hiking boots?
In our guide, you can learn that a Classic Timberland’s yellow boot is not suited for a serious hiker. As many other hiking boots use new technologies, the classic yellow boot may be best used for short hiking trips along the Appalachian Trail.
However, Timberland now makes a range of hiking footwear that compares to many Merrell hiking shoes. (Find the Best Knee Brace For Hiking)
By the end, you’ll know whether Timberland hiking shoes can meet your needs and also point you in the right direction of how to pick the best pair of Timberland hiking boots.
What Are Timberland’s Good For?
Before you grab a pair of Timberland’s for hiking, you need to know the answer to are Timberland’s good for hiking over long distances? The Timberland is a good boot in the right areas, and here, you can find out the ups and downs of picking Timberland’s as a hiking boot over other hiking shoes.
However, the question of are Timberland’s good for hiking has more to it than seeing them just as casual wear. Here, you can find the pros and cons besides the models of rugged boots Timberland is adding alongside the Timberland work boots in the hope of catching up with the competition.
With their new day hiking shoes, Timberland is attempting to expand out from its leather hiking boots. Nevertheless, their advancements may be too late to compare to other hiking boots on the market.
There are significantly better boots available for hiking rather than the classic Timberland boots in their range. (Read Are Duck Boots For Hiking)
Cons of Timberland Boots for Hiking
Fashion Accessory: The issue with Timberland is that they have been more concerned with appearance than with function. Many people consider them to be fashion boots, making them unsuitable for hiking.
While a pair of Timberland hiking boots can be helpful for a short period, its shortcomings become apparent on longer hikes.
Blisters: Leather creases can create blisters because the leather wrinkles when it becomes saturated with dirt and water, which is a concern. Blisters can form when these wrinkles in the leather extend into your foot.
Waterlogging: If not properly maintained, leather might become soggy. The user is also compelled to carry the extra weight of water due to the saturation of the leather.
Weight and Flexibility: Many current hiking shoes are rugged, but they’re also a lot lighter. Instead of classic leather boots, they are now more analogous to sneakers, focusing on mobility above aesthetics and the ability to meet a variety of purposes.
Materials: Traditional hiking boots now use advanced materials such as GORE-TEX and Vibram, enhancing the overall user experience.
Design: Between their first decade in existence and now, there have been almost no design alterations or upgrades.
Because of the nostalgia and innovation, it gave these boots have remained famous. If you enjoy hiking, you’ll know that packing light and carrying a small backpack is the way to go. Hiking shoes today are flexible and light on the feet.
Pros of Timberland Boots for Hiking
Aside from the standard Timberland work boots, the Timberland hiking boot assortment isn’t poor. Many Timberland shoes and boots are suitable for hiking, but only on rare occasions and to wear casually rather than on every hike.
Short hikes: Easy day hikes are where you’ll discover a Timberland boot comes in handy. In a circumstance when you must navigate both city and rough terrain, Timberland boots can be a superb choice. Without crinkling or crumpling, the thick leather shoe keeps its optimum shape.
The primary concern with Timberland boots is that they will fall apart over time if used as daily hiking footwear. However, they will last much use before you reach this stage, yet serious hikers find many boots offer more life when used on longer hikes.
Casual wear: Timberland hiking boots are ideal for people who are traveling and can only take one pair of shoes. A Timberland casual shoe is used for many activities, which need little mobility. However, if you’re going on a long hike, Timberland boots are not the right option when using the classic boot.
Timberland’s are subject to extreme wear and tear, if you need the protection of sturdy, leather hiking footwear for a limited period, they are a great choice, yet they are not good for hiking on multi-day treks.
Price: A timberland is also an excellent option if you’re on a tight budget. For an extended period, it was a high-value brand. Timberland hiking shoes and even the classic Timberland boot are cost-effective options.
However, it is worth noting; you should never answer the question, “Are Timberland’s good for hiking?” based on price alone. (Read Which Exercise Helps Prepare For Uphill Hiking)
Are Timberland’s Good Walking Shoes?
Here are some of the various models of Timberland boots that are ideal for spending a few hours in the woods or the trail.
Original Yellow Boot Style 1006
Features:
- Waterproof leather uppers
- Anti-fatigue removable footbed
- Aerocore midsole
- Seam-sealed construction
- 1 pound 13 oz. per shoe
Another excellent option for a day trek hiking boot is the Timberland 1978 Style 1006 Classic Boot. They’re stunning and luxurious on the outside, with a high-end appearance. The classic boot is comfy to wear and can last a long time if you’re not doing any major hiking.
Classic Timberland’s are perfect for city trekking and are comfortable shoes with a short break-in period for a fantastic new pair of boots experience. Other than serious hikers, the Style 1006 Yellow Boots are fantastic boots designed for walking, yet with insulation, you can get sweaty feet in warm weather and are not good for hiking over long distances.
Mt. Maddsen Hiking Boots
Features:
- Waterproof leather upper
- Rubber sole
- S.P.F. traction system
- Anti-Fatigue Technology
- Internal TPU. Shank
- 1 pounds per shoe
One super high-rated Timberland hiking boots by the Timberland brand is the Timberland Mt. Maddsen hiking boot. This features a leather design on top of a traditional hiking boot.
The Timberland hiking boots are outfitted with a super thick and robust rubber sole to keep the bottoms of your feet safe and good for hiking on rough terrain.
This is a higher boot about mid-level from the ankle. Some boots go both higher and lower, so this is pretty middle of the road. Although leather, these are waterproof, so keep that in mind as they can keep your feet dry.
Timberland White Ledge Ankle Boot
Features:
- Leather upper
- Rubber sole
- Multi-directional traction system
- Rustproof
- One boot weighs 1.2 pounds
The Men’s White Ledge Ankle Boot from Timberland is one of the most comfortable options available for serious hiking. Even in bad weather, they can keep your feet dry while going the distance. You may quickly put them on and forget about them.
The main problem with them is that they aren’t very durable. You should expect the shoes to deteriorate after the boots begin to crumple. Extreme weather can potentially negate the benefits of the shoe.
Chocorua Trail Boots
Features:
- Leather and Gore-Tex mesh uppers
- Rubber Sole
- Anti-Fatigue technology
- Rustproof
- 6 pounds per shoe
The Timberland Chocorua Trail is the only one of them that is suitable for modern hikers. If you insist on getting a Timberland shoe, these are the best hiking boots if you conduct multi-day hikes or go on many day walks. If you want to go on ultra-long hikes, though, choose something else.
The Timberland Chocorua Trail is entirely waterproof, even with a leather and Gore Tex mesh upper. The boots offer a lot of traction, are more stable and comfortable.
They’re a little on the heavy side, but they’ll get you where you need to go. Although the quality and durability are questionable, they are superior to the competition.
1978 Waterproof Hiking Boots
Features:
- Waterproof leather upper
- Ortholite footbed
- Aerocore midsole
- Timberdry membrane
- 3 pounds per shoe
Timberland’s Men’s 1978 Waterproof Hiking Boots are among their best hiking shoes. They’re great for day trips and look great in the city. The Vibram outsoles are the boots’ standout feature, making them far more durable than standard rubber outsoles. They stand out a lot because of the original clay pot hue.
The only complaint we have about these sneakers is their lack of comfort. Some consumers have expressed dissatisfaction with the overall construction, particularly the seams. The synthetic liners aren’t exceptionally high quality, but they do the job for some folks.
Buying Guide Basics
Breaking In
You should expect your Timberland boots to feel uncomfortable when you first put them on. You’ll need to break them in just like any other leather footwear. Breaking into Timberland’s isn’t as complicated as it appears.
Wear your Timberland boots about the house and move around in them to break them in. Do various duties, walk through them, and treat them as though you were hiking up a mountain. The key is to stick to a daily schedule with them.
Wear the same socks every time. Tie them together in the same way. Move around as if you’ll be using them for a long time. The way you break in your boots will determine how they look for the rest of their life.
Sizing
When it comes to sizing, it’s one of the few brands that is correct to the inch. On some of their styles, they additionally request width, which is better than most brands. When purchasing Timberland boots, make sure you choose the exact size that your feet require.
You can choose between medium and wide widths. It’s advisable to choose broad if you’re a bit robust or know you have wide feet. With thicker socks, going wide is simple, but small shoes are difficult to overcome.
Material & Weight
Timberland boots are, to put it bluntly, relatively heavy. These are some hefty boots, weighing in at over three pounds. They resemble steel-toed boots in this sense.
You’ll be closer to two pounds if you acquire a more current pair of hiking boots. Although it may not appear to be a significant difference, you will notice it right away if you switch to a lighter shoe when serious hiking.
These, too, are fashioned of old materials. GORE-TEX, full-grain leather, split-grain leather, and other top-notch technologies are used in other boots for hiking. These traits are not present in Timberland’s, which are relatively old school.
Waterproofing
Timberland makes it a point to let customers know that all of their boots are water-resistant and not completely waterproof.
Even the classic yellow boot is tanned and coated to protect the leather from the elements. Water causes complications inside the boot as leather absorbs water quickly and takes ages to dry.
As long as the water is only a couple of inches deep, Timberland’s are safe to use. Yet, typical hiking boots might not get wet on the inside and dry quickly rather than when a boot weighs double from soaking up water.
Snow
In chilly temperatures, one element of using Timberland’s works exceptionally well. You will not be freezing if you travel through the snow because the boots are hefty and insulated.
In addition, the boot’s bottom tread is quite suitable for slick, snowy weather.
These features are combined with the waterproofing element. So, if you’re looking for a boot to wear in the snow, this is a good choice.
Even in the snow, the question is, are Timberland boots good for hiking? You won’t want to embark on extended treks with the classic yellow boot, but if camping or on a short trek, these are great boots to wear in the snow. (Find the Best Hiking Compass)
With all the above, the answer to can you hike in Timberland’s is as much down to your choice whether the boots are inferior to other brands of hiking boots. The selection here is just a few from the range, and the longer it goes on, you could find Timberland’s good for hiking as they use newer production methods, materials, and techniques.
