We Ran the Numbers on the Best Hiking Boots for GovX Members
For short day hikes or long treks, here’s the bestselling boots worn by GovX members nationwide.
By Brent Hannify – September 9, 2022
We took a look at the hiking boots moving fast through the GovX catalog. Whether you’re looking for boots for a short hike or a multi-day backpacking journey into the remote wilderness, put your GovX discount to work on these top choices.
We’ll start off with an entry from one of GovX’s all-time top-selling brands. Under Armour delivers a waterproof hiking boot here that can stand up to the elements over a long period of time. Stomp your way through the rain and the muck with UA StormProof waterproof tech that, despite its impermeability on the exterior, remains quite comfortable and breathable on the interior. The tough rubber forefoot resists abrasions on the trail, and the hardened foam plate provides rigid stability and underfoot protection from sharp rocks.
What kind of list would this be without an entry from SALEWA? This German-born hiking footwear brand cut its teeth in the unforgiving trails of the Dolomites, so can expect some mountaineering prowess here. The Droplines are built for shock absorbency and speed in alpine, with precise traction and agile, supportive design. The EVA rebound midsole and S Path outsole gives you a natural, smoother roll-off during dynamic movement, which is a technical way of saying you can bounce around with these things on your feet and reduce your risk of rolling an ankle. If you’re the kind of hiker who likes a crisp pace, load out with a pair of SALEWA Droplines.
Zamberlan is a favorite brand of wildland firefighters and hotshot crews, the kinds of mighty Americans who tackle the gnarliest terrain on a regular basis. And do it while surrounded by fires. So when it comes to toughness and mobility, you’d be hard pressed to do better than Zamberlan. The 1996 Vioz Lux is a durable trail-trekker with a resilient waterproof waxed finish and calf leather-lined collars for comfort around the ankles. The Tuscan full-grain leather offers a rich and long-lasting appearance that only gets better with age.
Rocky Boots specializes in footwear for uniformed pros in the military, law enforcement, and firefighting communities—all areas where staying comfortable for hours on end on your feet is vital. They bring their talents for durability and long-term comfort to the Legacy 32, an all-leather waterproof hiking boot with a classic, old-school look. Even if you’re not into hiking, the appearance of this boot evokes reliability and competence. This is a boot that gets things done.
RockRooster named the solid rubber outsole on these hiking shoes after a notoriously reliable tire. The “Goodyear” sole is ideal for tackling difficult terrain, and is also heat, acid, chemical, and oil resistant. The exterior is suede leather, infused with COOLMAX technology that wicks away moisture to keep the wearer cool and dry on hot days. We’re also big fans of the anti-fatigue insole which lets you go the distance—however far you prefer that distance to be.
You’re looking at the world’s lightest GORE-TEX hiking boot. This unique and nimble boot from INOV-8 lives up to its brand’s promise, with a supportive, weatherproofed design intended for fast motion and resilient performance. This new version features an even more durable rubber outsole, and the waterproof upper now has a strong Cordura mesh. Weighing in at just 286 grams, this boot is a lightweight pioneer.
HAIX is a brand you’re certain to find in fire houses and emergency personnel around the country. They’re built from the ground up as tanks that can withstand the toughest emergency conditions. So it got our attention when they made a hiking boot. The Scout 2.0 is an upgraded version of their first version, now with a rugged Vibram outsole for exceptional grip and stability—even in cold, rainy conditions—and the GORE-TEX liner makes another appearance here to keep you comfortable and dry no matter what terrain you’re on. The 2.0 also has a new lacing system, with speed hooks on the upper for faster, even more customizable lacing. A nice touch from a brand that knows that the little things matter. Especially on a multi-day backpacking trip.
Welcome back to SALEWA territory. The low-top, sure-footed Wildfire is designed for fast mountain approaches, technical scrambles, and making short work of alpine climbs. The POMOC Speed MTN sole gives you the kind of terrain grip adventurers rely on. It’s quite capable in wet conditions as well, with a GORE-TEX extended comfort lining waterproof protection, a breathable OrthoLite footbed that wicks away moisture, and aggressive lugs that offer stability on muddy terrain.
Ever heard of yak leather? You have now. The Exohike boots by ECCO are made of real leather. From real yaks. In a real tannery. So what does yak power do for these shoes? In addition to a unique look on the trail, this shoe is naturally gifted at repelling water, with ECCO HYDROMAX technology and a high traction rubber outsole.
Like Rocky Boots, Garmont is another brand dedicated to making footwear for Americans of service. From desk jobs to front line combat, Garmont boots excel at everything they do. The Toubkal GTX boot is an ideal boot for skilled backpacker because it includes a Double Damper split midsole, which softens the blow on your feet on the trail, dampening ground impact with internal shock absorbers. Over long distances, a feature like that really comes in handy for maintaining your endurance, which is pretty much the same thinking that goes into Garmont’s military boots. Good enough for government work. Good enough for you.
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