Our testers spent many months and miles hiking through a wide range of terrain types to discover precisely how each one of these boots performed. We trekked across the Western United States, from the high deserts and rocky peaks of the Sierra Nevada range to the wet temperate rainforests and sub-alpine meadows of the Pacific Northwest. Our test locations included the flanks of Mount Baker and the trails of the North Cascades National Park, the summit of Mount Whitney, the Palisade peaks of the Sierra Nevada, and the rough and durable granite expanses of Yosemite National Park. Several boots also made it to Peru for testing in the desert and volcanos found there.
We tested these contenders over a range of terrain types and weather conditions so that we could accurately record feedback on each pair under a set of testing metrics. Below, we identify these parameters and discuss the testing methods that we used.
Comfort
Comfort is largely a personal, subjective criterion since everyone's feet are different. Still, we looked at the fit of each shoe and how effective the lacing system was for a range of foot sizes. The quality of the included insole was noted, as some of the boots had footbeds that should be immediately swapped out for quality aftermarket products. The ankle padding was factored in, as some boots used thin material that bit into the ankle. Similarly, the amount of cushion in the sole was assessed as it plays a significant role in determining the boot's comfort on long hikes. We also paid attention to foot comfort on our test hikes, noting where and when we got blisters due to rubbing or poor ventilation. By testing so many boots side-by-side we're able to confidently assess when boots are a bit long, short, narrow or wide.
Support
We tested each pair of boots on tough, off-trail slopes with scree, talus, slabs, and grassy traverses to see how they performed on uneven ground. We noted how well they supported the ankle, resisted rolling, and edged into the dirt, snow, or rock. Boot height was considered since lower cut models did not provide the same high ankle support as higher cut options, even if they offered a higher degree of ankle articulation, translating into a more climbing ability in the steeps.
Traction
To test traction, we sought out situations that would best test the boot's grip. We found which rubber compounds best stuck to the rock on steep scrambling routes, and we saw which boots stuck or slipped on wet and muddy trails. With a very snowy and wet season in our main testing areas along the Rockies, we found lots of firm snowfields, muddy slopes, wet creek crossings, and steep rocks to climb on our test hikes.
Water Resistance
Since water resistance is a top concern for many hikers, we sloshed through streams and creeks and stood on lake shores to test how quickly the boots kept water out. All of the boots we tested use a waterproof and breathable membrane which is designed to keep water out while also allowing perspiration to pass through.
Beyond just testing the boots in real-world scenarios, to improve the standardization of our review we also use a water bucket test in which we fill a clear tote up to the point that water begins entering the boot, which we call the flood height. We then let the boots dry, and step back into the bucket which is filled below the boots flood height in order to gauge how long the boot can remain inundated before it begins letting water in.
Durability
We put hours of rugged use into these test boots and began to see some of them show signs of weakness that we could pass on to you. Admittedly, two months is a rather short test period. Still, it is sometimes long enough to see the beginnings of issues consumers might find and corroborate the findings of other users and reviewers. In addition, we keep some particularly popular boots in our rotation longer to assess wear over more miles and longer periods of time.
Weight
Weight was the easiest to test for and involved us taking each of the boots and weighing them on our scale to test against the manufacturer's claimed weights. We found benefits gained and lost by wearing lightweight or heavyweight boots on our hikes. For instance, lightweight boots often let us save energy on hikes but heavyweight boots usually provided better support, particularly when wearing heavy backpacks.
Throughout many miles, both on the trail and off, we found which boots rose to the top across all our metrics and which were best suited to specialized uses. We had a lot of fun putting these boots through their paces so that you can find the right ones for your needs and get out there and have an adventure of your own with the right footwear.