Our Picks: Better Boots

Glacier Point Boots

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The North Face
Glacier Point Boots, $145

At first glance, the Glacier Point looks like it might be another of those suede boots that leak like a sieve and don't breathe much either. But looks, as they say, can be deceiving.

I'll remember a certain hike after a surprise summer snowfall for two things—the surreal effects of flowers poking through the snow, and the considerable length of time it took for the slop to soak through the Glacier Points. I also remember how much more water resistant the Glacier Points were than some of the smooth-surface boots worn by other members of our party.

The cornerstone of the Glacier Point's ducklike performance is the wide rubber rand that covers the toe and extends halfway back to the heel. It covers the area where water is driven against the leather as the boot moves through wet grass, mud, or sloppy snow. It also provides good wear resistance in the places that are most susceptible. However, in spite of this quite large non-breathable area, the boots are not excessively hot in warm weather.

For mountain day hiking on and off trails, the boots have worked well. The sole is stiff enough to protect against poking and bruising on uneven surfaces, while still having enough flexibility for an easy stride.

Protection from ankle twisting is adequate under a moderate packload—the sole has retained reasonable torsional rigidity over time and the heel cup is still fairly firm after a year or so of use.

The seam stitching has stood up to some quite abrasive conditions with no sign of trouble. The tongue width, design, and padding in relation to lace hook positions worked fine with my feet, which is not something I can say for all boots. The Vibram sole pattern and rubber compound provided satisfactory grip in a variety of conditions.

As for fitting, the boots are not quite as narrow as they look—if they were, I would not have been able to wear them as much as I have. However, they do still taper considerably from ball to toe, and people with a wide forefoot and needing lots of toe volume may find the Glacier Points constricting. Weight: 3 lbs., 5 oz. for a pair size 10.5.

High points: Light, supportive, moderately breathable boots with surprising water resistance; worked well for day hiking on trails and rough mountain terrain.
Low point: Some people may find the fit rather narrow near the toes.

For more information: Contact The North Face at (800) 447-2333 or visit www.thenorthface.com.