As Spring turns into summer, it’s the perfect time for people to start breaking in their new pair of boots if they want to be ready for the summer hiking season.
I’ve discussed tactical boots in many other blogs that I’ll attach below, but not many of them are available on Amazon. One of my biggest issues with buying from other companies (the reason Amazon owns the world) is the cost of shipping and taxes turn a $50 product into $100 when it’s all said and done.
All 4 of these hiking boots are listed with Amazon Prime so the delivery should only be 2 days. Free shipping with 2 days lead-up time is just too difficult to beat right now.
Danner 61241 Trail Hiking Boot
The Danner Trail Hiking Boots are made of suede with a textile upper fabric to keep your foot securely in line with the shoe while offering flexibility to move your foot around.
This helps with climbing rocky terrain because it allows your foot to roll without putting force on your ankle joint. Many avid hikers know how to roll with a fall and allow their bodies to go with the flow. This prevents sprained ankles and broken bones in the foot.
Each pair of Danner 61241 Trail Hiking Boots only weigh 1.75 lbs (28 oz. per pair) for a lightweight feel and offer GORE-TEX liners to provide 100% waterproof capabilities.
One of my biggest issues with waterproof boots is the fact that they can’t be breathable because they have to be sealed to prevent water from getting inside the shoe. However, most Danner boots that are uninsulated offer a rare breathable feeling that is difficult to find in other boots.
Not only does the GORE-TEX material help, but the footbed is made of open-cell polyurethane to prevent the friction of your foot moving from generating more heat. This keeps your feet cool and dry while you walk and hike, even if you’re really stressed going uphill.
Danner Men’s Jag Khaki Hiking Boot
The Danner Jag hiking boot is a full-grain leather boot with the same textile upper that has made Danner famous for its flexibility and durability. Personally, I think these boots are heavy at 2.13 lbs per pair, but they have a lot of features that make up for it. For example, the abrasion-resistant textile upper just slides off rocks, sticks, trees, and dirt to keep your boot from looking like you walked through a blackberry bush all the way up the mountain.
The Danner Jag boots are 4.5″ in height (0.5″ higher than the trail hikers) to provide more ankle support for those of you that have weaker ankles or a history of sprains and strains. The leather is treated with durable water repellent (DWR) and covered with fully treated nylon panels to offer the perfect amount of protection against the elements.
One reason the boots are so heavy is that the footbed is customizable and offers 3 removable layers of density to provide more or less comfort, depending on your preference. These boots are perfect for those hiking in rougher terrain in the mountains with the possibility of having to cross streams, rivers, and puddles formed from unexpected rain or snow.
Salomon Men’s Speedcross 5 Trail Running Shoe
Salomon has built its incredible reputation over the last few decades due to its durability, practicality, and comfort in every shoe. I might be different than most, but I prefer to hike in trail running shoes more than hiking boots in the summer because they’re lighter, breathe better, and allow me to move quicker than hiking boots. The Salomon Speedcross 5’s are the lightest shoe on this list at only 0.71 lbs per pair.
The Speedcross trail running shoes are not necessarily meant for rocky terrain in the mountains, but more for muddy terrain with the softer ground. This is important because the outsole is not meant to absorb the shock from sharp rocks for hours at a time. These shoes are perfect for trail running in places in the midwest where they get a lot of rain and have fewer rocky trails than we all do in the mountains.
The Salomon Contagrip outsole is meant to grip any loose, soft, rugged, muddy, or uneven surface with ease due to its deep, sharp lugs that act as snow tires do in the snow. The Speedcross 5 trail running shoe’s midsole is where it makes the most difference in my opinion. The patented EnergyCell material is meant to provide a springboard-like feel, even in soft ground, much like running shoes do on hard pavement. The EnergyCell provides excellent durability and allows your foot to move with the shoe so you roll and/or injure your lower leg less often.
Salomon Men’s X Crest Hiking
The Salomon X Crest Hiking Shoe is the crossover between a hiking boot and trail running shoe with outstanding features from both platforms. I have gone through 5 surgeries all on my right leg since I got out of the military and that has had a tremendous impact on my running and hiking capabilities. I always go for the lightest possible shoes because it’s easier on my ankle and knee.
The X Crest hiking shoe provides great support with its patented SensiFit cradle system that provides a snug and secure fit all the way around your foot. Each pair only weighs 0.77 lbs and offers incredible grip and durability with the Contragrip MD material. This material ensures you can wear these shoes for longer periods without having your heel or ankle joint wear down from the constant strain of uneven surfaces.
The X Crest shoe is 100% waterproof with GORE-TEX liners to ensure that your feet stay dry if you’re running or hiking across waterways. The only negative about this shoe is the ankle support is low with a 1.1″ height from the footbed to the top of the shoe. This will only allow you to cross low streams and puddles without getting wet, but i’s still awesome to have that protection for the entirety of the shoe. I wouldn’t wear this shoe in really rough terrain or muddy, soft environments because the height of the shoe is low and the structure of the shoe is meant for flatter surfaces without a lot of rocks. This is a great shoe to hike in the woodlands of the midwest and parts of the eastern United States.
If you’re interested in learning more about products for this summer read our blogs below
Top 4 Wide Hunting Boots From Dungarees
Top 4 Fillet Knives For Summer Fishing
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