REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Great waterproofing
Quality material
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Clunky
Uncomfortable
Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof Review
This is a classic hiking boot that uses traditional materials and is an inexpensive option for someone who wants a beefy boot
Credit: Ryan Huetter
RELATED: Best Hiking Boots for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof is what we consider a classic hiking boot style. With a full-grain leather upper, it takes a considerable amount of time to break in. It is solidly constructed and offers good support for those who want above-ankle protection and a very stable midsole. It is inexpensive yet made of quality materials, so this could be a consideration for a heavy-duty hiking boot or even a work boot. That said, there are other top-rated hiking boots to consider that offer more comfort.
Editor's Note: This hiking boot was slotted into our fall update on October 25, 2022.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Hiking Boot |  Best Bang for the Buck | |||
| Price | $99.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $143.83 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $119.99 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $89.95 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $120 List $136.31 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This heavy leather hiking boot is a budget friendly and offers great atability | This high-top boot is one of the most stable we tested, and with plush cushioning is perfect for big backcountry missions | This inexpensive boot is super comfortable and is a great all-around option | This durable boot is inexpensive and offers good ankle support for hikers carrying heavy packs | This is a nice looking hiking or work boot that doesn't break the bank |
| Rating Categories | Timberland Mt. Madd... | Hoka Kaha 2 GTX | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... | Columbia Newton Rid... | Timberland White Le... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Timberland Mt. Madd... | Hoka Kaha 2 GTX | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... | Columbia Newton Rid... | Timberland White Le... |
| Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) | 2.31 lbs | 2.77 lbs | 2.44 lbs | 2.20 lbs | 2.34 lbs |
| Upper | Full-grain leather | Waterproof nubuck leather | Pigskin leather, mesh | PU-coated leather, suede, synthetic mesh | Waterproof leather |
| Width Options | Regular, wide | Regular | Regular, wide | Regular, wide | Medium, wide |
| Waterproof Lining | TimberDry | Gore-Tex | Waterproof membrane | Omni-Tech | Waterproof leather |
| Midsole | EVA | 2-density CMEVA (rubberized EVA) | Super Rebound Compound | Techlite EVA | EVA footbed and sole |
| Boot Type | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot |
| Last Board/Shank | TPU shank | Not specified | Molded nylon | Not specified | Not specified |
| Sole | Rubber | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Vibram TC5+ | Omni-Grip rubber | Rubber |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
We tested the Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof on a variety of day hikes with and without weight and found them to be a classic take on a hiking boot design, with many of the common benefits and detriments that come with this type of boot.
Performance Comparison
Tall and supportive, but with a clunky feel.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Comfort
The Mt. Maddsen boots are made of full-grain leather uppers, which are fairly stiff and unyielding. We found these boots to be slightly less than average comfort, based on the initial break-in period required, the feel of the stiff structure around the ankle collar, and the fit.
These boots fit quite wide, and it took us two pairs of heavy-weight hiking socks to make them fit well. The midsole is firm and does not give the foot much reprieve from the jarring impacts of the trail like more cushioned models. In short, this is the old-school hiking boot that we used to have to wear, while now there are much more comfortable boots readily available.
Despite an EVA molded midsole, we didn't feel much cushioning wearing the Mt. Maddsen.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Support
The Mt. Maddsen is very stable if it fits your foot. It has very tall ankle support, and the material is stiff and adds structure to the upper, making this a very rigid boot. The TPU shank adds significant stiffness to the sole, giving these a lot of ability in off-camber terrain. You gain these benefits if you can fill this boot out (as in, have wide enough feet or thick enough socks). If you have a narrower foot, the fit will likely be sloppy, and the stiff material keeps you from effectively tightening the boot to the point where it feels stable.
If they fit you properly, the Mt, Maddsen does well in rough terrain. If they fit you poorly, then they feel much more awkward to wear.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Traction
Thanks to the TPU shank, a hearty midsole, and a rubber lug outsole (unbranded, we assume proprietary), the Mt. Maddsen Mid offers solid traction in most every terrain type we tested them in. They edge really well thanks to the stiffness of the sole, and while they don't smear all that well, we found them to work fine in both wet and dry environments.
The lug pattern is quite shallow for this type of boot - we would have liked to see them deeper and sharper for better traction.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Water Resistance
Timberland uses its own waterproof membrane made of recycled plastic to create the waterproof barrier in the Mt. Maddsen, and it works effectively. Also useful is the treated full-grain leather upper, which beads water off much better than many synthetic materials.
No issues with the Mt. Maddsen waterproofing, it is one of the things they do well.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Weight
We took the Mt. Maddsen to the scales and verified their weight at 2.31 pounds for a pair of men's size US 11. This is an average weight in this category, though we would happily take some extra weight for more comfort.
For full-grain leather boots they are actually not that heavy.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Durability
One of the benefits of the Mt. Maddsen using a leather upper with double-stitched seams is that it is much more resistant to wear and tear than lighter boots made exclusively from lightweight synthetic materials. These boots should last you quite a long time, especially if you continue to treat them with a leather conditioner.
Full leather uppers like you find on the Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid tend to resist wear and tear from use well over time.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Should You Buy the Timberland Mt. Maddsen Midf?
These boots are made from quality materials, and everything points to them being well-made. They are also inexpensive, so if you are looking for heavy-duty hiking boots, these might be of good value to you if you have wider feet.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
At a similar weight, the Merrell Moab Mid 3 is way more comfortable and is also a budget-oriented boot. For the best of the best regarding support, stability, and comfort, the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX is our Editor's Choice in this category and is tough to beat.
—Ryan Huetter
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