Backpacking Boots Reviews

New Hance Trail, Grand Canyon.

Ask Me: Which Boots Do You Recommend for Backpacking, Heavier or Lighter?

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Michael,

This is a great, straightforward review [of the La Sportiva Thunder III GTX boots]. I was just looking at these boots and I am strongly considering them based on your review. I am torn between these Thunder III GTX and the La Sportiva Hyper Mid GTX. Perhaps you can provide some insight or guidance based on your experience with both boots. My primary activity will be backpacking, carrying 30 to 40 lbs., 10 to 15 miles per day in south-central Alaska. The terrain is just about as mixed as you can get: sharp rocks, sand, mud, roots, tundra, steep alpine, scree, creeks, etc.

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Gear Review: Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Boots

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Oboz Bridger Mid BDry
Oboz Bridger Mid BDry.

Boots
Oboz Bridger Mid BDry
$160, 2 lbs. 8 oz. (men’s 9)
Sizes: men’s 8-12, 13, 14, women’s 6-11
obozfootwear.com

How much should you expect from boots that weigh just two-and-a-half pounds and cost just $160? I wondered that as I set out in these boots on an overnight backpacking trip in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park in late March. Carrying up to about 50 pounds—including gear and food for my two kids and me plus, at one point, 13 liters of water—I honestly was ready for my feet to feel a bit sore and beat up by day’s end. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of support and performance delivered by boots at this weight and price.

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Gear Review: La Sportiva Thunder III GTX Boots

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La Sportiva Thunder III GTX
La Sportiva Thunder III GTX

Boots
La Sportiva Thunder III GTX
$195, 2 lbs. 15 oz. (men’s US 9/Euro 42)
Sizes: Euro men’s 38-47.5, women’s 36-43
sportiva.com

Very few backpacking trips put boots to the test like a multi-day hike in the Grand Canyon. On a three-day backpacking trip with my 10-year-old daughter in the Grand Canyon, carrying up to 50 pounds—including, at one point, 17 pounds of water—down and up very steep, rugged trails, the Thunder III GTX boots delivered an impressive combination of support and protection balanced with a surprisingly nimble feel.

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Gear Review: Salomon Conquest GTX Boots

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Salomon Conquest GTX
Salomon Conquest GTX

Boots
Salomon Conquest GTX
$180, 2 lbs. 7 oz. (men’s 9)
Sizes: men’s 7-12, 13, women’s 5-10
salomon.com

Recovering from a deep bone bruise on the top of my left foot (suffered in a leader fall rock climbing a month earlier), I was hiking again for the first time when I wore these boots on a three-day backpacking trip to the Big Boulder Lakes in Idaho’s White Clouds Mountains. Hiking with my 12-year-old son, I carried up to 35 pounds for about 22 miles, with nearly 5,000 feet of uphill and downhill and significant sections of the route off-trail or on rough, user trails. I wanted a boot with a little more support and rigidity than most competitors in this midweight category, and the Conquest GTX delivered on that count.

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