Good/Better/Best

Heavy-Duty Hiking Boots

Palladium x Finisterre Pallatrooper hiking boot

Good/Better/Best

Heavy-Duty Hiking Boots

A price and style comparison

When the weather is this cold, this wet and this treacherous, only a proper alpine boot will do. Good thing that hiker styles have never been more popular. That's probably because, unlike some trends, these boots are as practical as they are stylish—helping you trek through winter's harshest conditions while keeping your feet dry and looking damn good while doing it. And you will be able to wear them year after year (even after Gorpcore runs its course), so you might as well invest. But which is right for you? We tried on a handful of pairs to bring you three smart options, in a range of price points. But don't worry, they all look great and can stand up to everything from a city slush puddle to an icy mountain trail.

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Good

The Comfortable
Pair

• Constructed from heavy-duty polyurethane and waxed canvas with a Sympatex waterproof membrane

• Fits and feels more like a heavy-duty sneaker

• Removable quick drying merino-lined insulated footbed

• Classic lug sole

Pallatrooper hiking boot,
$200 by Palladium x Finisterre

Better

The Really
Rugged Pair

• Kudu leather upper, with full wax impregnation, is reliably waterproof

• Made in Italy and finished with quick-lacing external metal hooks

• Rubber toe cap for added protection from moisture

• Vibram “Megagrip” toothed tread pattern sole for optimal traction

Andres hiking boot,
$589 by ROA

Best

The Luxe
Pair

• Made in France with Norwegian welted construction

• Distinctive wrap-over tongue system with gusset

• The sturdiest of all the models, these will require a break-in period

• Chunky natural rubber lug sole is easily able to be resoled

Avoriaz hiking boot,
$705 by Paraboot

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