Columbia Mens Newton Ridge Plus II
1. Columbia Mens Newton Ridge Plus II
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They come in two models, standard or wide, each model available in several sizes for you to fit it to your needs. They have 3 colors available – shark mountain red, cordovan squash, and black – and they feature a waterproof, seam-sealed construction, which allows no rain, muck or puddle to stay in your way.
Design
The upper part is made from a mixture of suede leather, and mesh, with metal hardware to keep the laces secured and tight, while the midsole is made for long-lasting comfort, superior cushioning and high energy return thanks to the Techlite EVA technology they come with. Additionally, the outsole is made from super-grippy rubber, made to be able to resist rocks, grass, gravel, and roots, thanks to their Omni-Grip non-marking traction. Moreover, they are a stable and safe choice even in winter because of the dual-zone winter tread pattern which ensures solid footing on slippery surfaces like ice and snow.
| PROS
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CONS
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- Waterproof
- Comfortable
- Solid construction
- Lightweight and easy to wear
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- They don’t have an integrated thermal protection system
- Some complained about them not being time-resistant
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| VERDICT
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| A comfortable and waterproof pair of boots, they will offer you a strong and powerful grip no matter the terrain you decide to tackle. However, while they do protect you from rain, mud, and puddles, they do not provide you with thermal comfort, so wear them with thermal socks for your feet to stay warm during cold weather. |
2. Timberland Men’s Flume
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They come with a waterproof, seam-sealed overall design, and have full-grain waterproof leather uppers which protect your feet from rain, mud, and puddles as you hike, while the fully gusseted tongue keeps away any type of debris that might get stuck. It has compression-molded EVA midsoles and footbeds which provide you with lightweight cushioning and shock absorption, making your journey easier and more comfortable. The solid rubber outsoles come with multidirectional, strategically placed lugs for increased traction, allowing you to grip rocky trails and crave elevation all while keeping you comfortable and protected. They feature strong lace hardware which will keep your feet tightly secured, while the strong-padded collar will make sure your feet will never get tired. Additionally, they are able to resist to elements wrath, being able to keep your feet warm at -15 ° F, even though they don’t exactly feature a thermal system. They come in 2 colors: dark brown and black, and in several sizes.
| PROS
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CONS
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- Versatile
- Comfortable and time resistant
- Waterproof
- Don’t need a break-in
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- Some complained about them not being time resistant
- There were some complaints about the laces
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| VERDICT
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| A waterproof pair of boots that will offer you a comfortable and safe hiking experience, they are built to last. Cushioned, able to resist several weather conditions, they will protect your feet, allowing you to never worry about traction even on rocky trails. |
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They are one of the lightweight versions of hiking boots for women, as they are made from a mixture of synthetic and fabric. The shaft measures approximately 8 inches from arch, while its molded TPU ankle support and heel, along with the moisture-wicking mesh lining makes them perfect for hiking snowy trails. If you worry about your feet not being warm or dry, you don’t have to, as it has 200-gram Thinsulate insulation, specially designed to make it resist temperatures up to -30 ° C, and an EVA-made midsole for more stability and comfort. It has a waterproof mesh upper with a Hydroshield Membrane waterproof design which will protect your feet from rain, mud, and puddles. Additionally, it has a rubber top cap and rubber outsoles for optimal trail grip, providing you with enough traction even on slippery ground. They feature a lace closure system, and come not only in a variety of sizes, but in 4 colors, as well: black, camouflage, light grey, and charcoal grey/blue. However, you should pay attention to the size as they are slightly smaller than comparable brands.
| PROS
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CONS
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- Durable and waterproof
- Insulated and warm
- Lightweight and easy to wear
- Several model choices for you to choose from
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- They don’t have spikes for ice hiking
- Some complained about them not being time resistant
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| VERDICT
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| An insulated pair of footwear that can keep your feet warm and dry during your hike, they are not only waterproof, but they offer you good traction. They are able to resist temperatures that go as low as -30 ° C, while their lace closure system will maintain their firm on the foot regardless of terrain. |
4. Skechers Relment Pelmo
They come in 4 different colors for you to choose from: gray, khaki, black and tan, and they have a waterproof, suede upper. They have stitching accents with embossed suede side details and a mesh fabric collar for a cooling effect during your hike. It has a padded collar for increased comfort and tight fit, while thanks to the gusset, padded, tongue there will be no water coming inside your boots. They feature a Relaxed Fit design for a roomy yet comfortable and supportive fit and a memory foam full-length insole. The seams are also waterproof, while the midsole comes with a shock absorbing feature to attenuate shocks, and a protective rubber toe cap to allow you to move around easily, without worrying about bumping into different types of debris. They have 1-1/2-inch heels to provide you with support during your hike, and they come with a flexible, rubber high-traction lug patterned outsole for increased and strong traction, preventing any potential slips, and for a better grip. They feature a lace closure system, measure around 4 inches from shat to arch and go high, over your ankle for increased support and safety.
| PROS
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CONS
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- Waterproofed
- Arch support
- Increased stability and comfort
- Breathable, providing good traction
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- There were some complaints about the laces
- Some complained about the grip
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| VERDICT
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They will keep your feet safe and dry during your hike, providing you with arch support and a shock absorbent heel for more comfort. They will keep water and moisture out while increasing your stability and terrain grip. |
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They have the upper made from a mix of waterproof suede leather and mesh with striped nylon straps running alongside it. The collar of the boots is very thick, providing cushioning and comfort while right under it, they feature a breathable yet waterproofed membrane which keeps your feet dry while allowing moisture out, and a removable molded insole, so you will be comfortable regardless of the season. They have an EVA midsole that provides you with good stress and impact resistance. Additionally, they have rustproof lacing hardware which will keep the laces secured around your foot, and the steel shank and rugged rubber cupsole ensure your foot stays stable when hiking on uneven grounds, providing you with traction in any conditions. They are available in 3 color combinations: brown/bone/mustard, chocolate/bungee/warm grey, and charcoal/black/steel grey, and several sizes, so you can easily pick the one that fits you best.
| PROS
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CONS
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- Stable and comfortable
- Strong and powerful gripping
- Cushioned against impact
- Waterproof design
- Available in several sizes and 3 colors
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- They don’t have thermal protection included
- Some complained about the laces
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| VERDICT
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| They provide you with a breathable yet waterproof design, offering you a strong grip regardless of what terrain or weather, you choose to hike in. Additionally, they come in 3 different color schemes so you don’t have to limit your preferences. |
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They are made from Dri-Tec waterproof suede leather with nylon upper which offers you durability, breathability, and comfort during your hikes. They have a soft padded collar which will offer you prolonged comfort throughout the entire day, and a 5.5-inch shaft with a 1.0-inch platform. Additionally, they have a rustproof hardware lacing system, to allow you to securely and tightly fit them to your feet while the highly cushioned and shock absorption EVA midsole will reduce strain on your body. Moreover, it comes with a removable molded EVA footbed which delivers underfoot cushioning for easier hiking. It comes with a steel shank to provide support and stability with every step while thanks to its MDT, rugged rubber outsole with 5mm lugs your grip will improve regardless of what terrain you choose to explore. Moreover, it comes with a protective toe bumper and heel guard for increased protection. They come in several sizes and in 4 color combination: brown/gold, smokey brown/olive/snow, smokey brown/olive/snow/black, and choc/DK.taupe/orange.
| PROS
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CONS
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- Toe bumper and heel guard
- Highly supportive and comfortable
- Waterproof
- MDT rugged rubber outsole
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- Some complained about them being too hard to wear
- There were some complaints about them not being time-resistant
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| VERDICT
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| Sturdy and waterproof, they will keep your feet dry and protected all the time. They provide you with a solid grip regardless of terrain while, at the same time, offering you a comfortable hike. They come in several color combinations and sizes, so you have a large range of options to satisfy your preferences. |
While going on a hike, you will need footwear that can complement your equipment, footwear that is comfortable enough for you to keep going without getting tired. So, in order for you to choose a pair that will improve your nature-reconnecting experience, there are certain
factors you should keep in mind, as they can be a major turning point.
- Comfort and fit. Find a pair that can offer you the support you need. They may differ from person to person according to their preferences: wide or narrow, with arch support or with special heel support, and others. So, be sure to find a pair that fits your feet or your trip might become quite painful.
- Weight. You might be surprised, but depending on your hike, you will need a different weight for your boots. The most favored one is the lightweight type, as your backpack might pack a few extra pounds, so you’d want to compensate with feather-like footwear. However, if you plan on venturing in the nature in not-so-friendly conditions, then you might have to reconsider your choice because a heavier type will offer you more grip and more stability.
- Waterproof. Nowadays almost all types of hiking boots have one kind or another of waterproofing system. You don’t know when you’ll have to pass through a puddle or a muddy place, nor will you know if the rain will pour down on you. If your boots are waterproof, you don’t have to worry about wet feet, as the boots will keep you comfortable and warm.
- Traction. It is an essential feature that you should really pay attention to when you choose your boots. Good and strong traction means fewer chances for you to fall and hurt yourself. Regardless of what type of area or terrain you plan on tackling, it will make you feel better to know your feet are secure and there are no chances for you to slip.
- Ankle support. There is a heated debate on whether hiking boots do really need ankle support. For some, it might be an impending element, while for some it might be just what they’re looking for. So, pick the one that fits your condition best.
- Laces. Last but not least, it plays an important role in your trip. If your boots have poor lacing, which is prone to quick loosening, you risk injuring yourself when you least expect it. If the laces are the problem, you can simply replace them with better ones. However, if the entire closing system is at fault, if it doesn’t hold your foot or if it doesn’t fit you very well, then you should consider changing your boots.
To sum up, all it comes down to is your preferred footwear style and your hiking location and conditions. Try them out first and choose a pair that fits your preferences, your necessities, and your overall hiking style, and you won’t regret it.
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