The Boot Report™

Hiking boots that are worth your money, styles we shouldn't forget about, and a list of boots you can buy on a budget.

It’s been almost exactly a year since the last Boot Report™, which is kind of crazy, but we’re back and there are so many new styles that we need to talk about. Boots come in all different shapes and sizes, so there is a lot to choose from. A lot of variety makes the search for the ideal boot a bit more difficult but exciting all at the same time.

We have the hiking boot, arguably the most discussed style online right now. Can’t forget about the new wave of what I like to call the low-top boots, which are basically an elevated derby that has all the properties of your classic boot. There are also boots that are designed to protect you from the most extreme weather, and those have a completely different vibe too. Can’t forget about the classics either. Basically, we have a lot of different styles to go through in today’s newsletter.

We’ll be taking a look at my favorite hiking style options that you can buy right now, a new addition to my rotation that may be a bit too wild, classic boot styles that we shouldn’t forget about, and some more technical options for the most extreme weather conditions.

Plus all paid subscribers receive access to — Boots On a Budget: a list of fire secondhand boots you can buy right now without breaking the bank. The full list will be at the bottom of the newsletter.

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I’ve said this before, but yeah, boots aren’t cheap and it’s one of those items you shouldn’t be replacing once a year anyway, so spend a bit more and get yourself some proper quality that’s going to last. If you’re looking to grow your style this winter, then having a pair of good boots will be one of the most important additions to your wardrobe — especially if you’re going to buy one pair that you will wear pretty much everyday for months…

My personal rotation is more than secured. I have the Visvim x Supreme Serra boots that got a year ago that I’m still hyped on — perfect for fall. Once some snow hits I can switch over to the Merrell Moab 2 Mid, which served me surprisingly well last winter. Recently I added a boot from Montbell that is designed to withstand the gnarliest snow conditions.

Photo 1: Visvim x Supreme Serra, Merrell Moab 2 Mid. Photo 2&3: Montbell Powder Boots

Ok, these are absolutely wild, but bear with me for a second. The Montbell Powder Boots are waterproof, lined with fleece which automatically turns on cozy mode and gives a perfect level of comfort and warmth. The top of the boot can be folded in half, allowing you to change the look on the go which I thought was a pretty neat detail. I think the thing that surprised me most was how incredibly light these were.

So why do I even need these? Slush in the middle of winter hits differently. The worst is when you walk outside and the back of your legs are completely destroyed from the slush, and before you know it im out here scrubbing every single dot when I return home. I don’t need that. Winter in Montreal gets crazy, and sometimes I just need to get from point A to point B by foot, so why not get a pair of boots that I can easily tuck my pants into without having to worry about dealing with the mess after? I do not care about how I look when that winter storm hits, I’m just trying to survive. But with these I think I can still pull a fit off even though it might feel like The Day After Tomorrow.

I got these directly off Montbell Japan, and yea, I got hit with some duties but it was only something under $50. They shipped really quickly too. Worth it considering they retail for only $150. Oh yeah, they also come in 2 additional colors that you can check out here.

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THE HIKING BOOT

Ok, so you want a hiking boot this season but don’t know where to start? Brands like Paraboot, Danner, Fracap, Visvim, and Timberland are all going to be perfect contenders this fall, and with their high level of quality it’s something you can purchase once and have for years to come.