Introduction
Having grown up in New Hampshire, I’ve been hiking for most of my life with the White Mountains practically in my backyard. Because of this, I’ve come to value the quality of my hiking gear immensely, with boots being the number one make-or-break when it comes to hitting the trails.
Product Overview
While I’ve been able to cycle through some great boots over the years, there was one pair I recently had the opportunity to test during a trip to Colorado that completely changed the game: the Altra Women’s Lone Peak Hiker 2. And for $160 at Zappos, these boots are the comfortable pair you’ve been looking for, no matter what terrain your next hike has in store.
After wearing these boots during a week-long, muddy, snowy, and rainy hiking excursion in Colorado, it’s safe to say that they’ve proven themselves as a new mainstay in my outdoor gear repertoire. These boots sit higher on the leg than other hiking shoes I’ve tried, creating impressive stability on even the most unpredictable terrain, all while keeping dirt and snow from finding its way into my shoes. A durable leather and textile upper lends itself to the durability and lasting power of these boots, and classic lace-up closure makes it easy to get your perfect fit every time you slip them on.
Performance
Perhaps my favorite facet of these boots, however, is the unparalleled padding within the insole that truly made it feel like I was walking on a cloud — even while traipsing across slick and rocky trails. Not to mention the rounded toe box fits like many other Altra shoes, offering ample space for my feet to sit comfortably without being squeezed. And while they’re not waterproof, after hiking through the worst conditions imaginable, I still managed to return to my tent at night with dry feet thanks to these boots.
One of the greatest concerns I have while hiking is slipping and sliding down the trail during my descent, but these lightweight boots offered impressive grip, even when my friend and I ended up traversing through an icy blizzard in the middle of June. Plus, due to their feather-light design, I was easily able to pack them into the carry-on I was traveling with, never worrying about them taking up too much space or weighing down my bag. Not to mention they were comfortable straight out of the box, so blisters were the furthest thing from my mind while taking in the sights of my first trip out West.
Customer Reviews
And I’m not the only one who has nothing but glowing things to say about these high-quality hikers. In fact, one outdoorsy shopper admitted that they “just finished a 35-mile backpacking trip in Colorado,” and these shoes “were perfection.” They noted that the boots proved to be “very stable in extremely wet and muddy conditions,” which led them to declare that they’ll “be a customer for life.” Meanwhile, another shopper went on to call them the “most comfy shoe” they’ve “ever worn, hiking and otherwise.”
Other Hiking Boots Options
When I’m on the trails, I want to be focused on taking in the views and enjoying the fresh mountain air — not fighting through the pain of fresh blisters or a lack of support from my shoes. Thankfully, I can rely on the Altra Women’s Lone Peak Hiker 2 Boots to be a reliable mainstay on my packing list for outdoor activities regardless of the weather, length of the hike, or terrain, and they’re available at Zappos for $160.