Timberland Euro Hiker Review


The Timberland Euro Hiker boot can get any trail-head’s approval. As you may or may not know, I’ve got something of a penchant for boots. So when the Euro Hiker was first released a few years back, I was one of the first people to buy a pair. Needless to say, I’ve worn them more times than I can count.

The Timberland brand has been around for close to a hundred years and is often known as the manufacturer of the first ever Original Yellow Boot. Since the company was established however, it has come out with quite a number of other footwear designs that put it as one of the juggernauts in the shoe manufacturing industry.

Featuring a hardy construction characteristic of the Timberland brand and a stylish silhouette to boot, the Euro Hiker is definitely an option you might want to look into if you’re in the market for a worthy footwear investment.

Of course, I’m not just going to recommend the boot and leave you wondering why. Find out why this Timberland design gets two thumbs up from me by checking out what I learned after trying it out for myself.

First Impressions

For the purpose of this review, I will be mainly talking about the original Euro Hiker Boot with leather uppers. There are quite a variety of Euro Hikers though, so I’ll try to squeeze in as much information about other styles and variations as we go through the different considerations.

Now, for the standard Euro Hiker Boot, the uppers are made of full-grain leather. These original Euro Hikers are particularly more durable than any other variation, which is why they were my boot of choice. The construction looks solid overall, with a sturdy rubber sole and plush padding all over the tongue and interior of the boot.

The treads of the sole aren’t quite as aggressive as other work boots, so it may cause some slipping especially in moist environments. Nonetheless, they are sufficient for navigating off-road terrain and rocky landscapes.

The entire boot feels tough, with the leather uppers offering great resistance against ankle movements. Of course, they do break-in after a while, but they will remain relatively stubborn even with some wear.

Outstanding Comfort, Subpar Breathability

Comfort is not an issue with the Euro Hiker Boot. Featuring thick, ample padding along the ankles and sides of the interior, the ultra cushioned design keeps your feet comfortably cradled as you walk. The foot bed itself was designed to accommodate a variety of foot shapes, causing the boot to accommodate your foot to create a more satisfying user experience. So even if you suffer from a bad case of high arches or no arches, you can bet that the Timberland Euro Hiker Boot will conform.

With breathability, I can’t be quite as enthusiastic. The thick, stubborn leather uppers are pretty unforgiving when it comes to ventilation. So you may want to prepare for that by wearing the right socks for your needs. It also pays to air out the boots after you’ve used them to keep foul odors from developing throughout the interior.

If breathability is one of your main concerns however, the non-leather variations might suit you better. For instance, the Euro Hiker Jacquard Boot uses a distinctive jacquard upper that’s a whole lot more breathable compared to the leather variation. They’re also particularly more stylish, if you were hoping to use your Euro Hikers for more casual purposes.

The trade off is that the jacquard version isn’t quite as durable as the leather. So if you’re looking for the best of both worlds, the Euro Hiker Boot in the fabric and leather combination upper variation could be a better choice.

Impressive Support But Traction Could Be Better

With the leather Euro Hikers, support rarely becomes an issue. At a glance, the leather seems unmoving and stiff. Once you wear them, you’ll find that to be absolutely true. Needless to say, the boots resist a great deal of ankle movements keeping you well-protected from inversion and eversion injuries.

After some wear, the boots do give in a little more to movements and bending ankles. But this fortunately doesn’t sacrifice support, so you can continue to step in confidence even after some time of use.

True to size, there’s no such thing as having problems with fit if you make sure to purchase your actual boot size. The boots also offer lots of space up in the toe box which is great for accommodating thick socks for work or outdoor use.

Although traction isn’t a dream, the boot does offer quite a bit of bite. The rubber soles are particularly resistant to wear and tear, eliminating the chances of worn out treads. Unfortunately, the sole pattern isn’t quite as exaggerated compared to other work boots. This simply means that using the boots on smooth, moist surfaces could cause some slipping. Nonetheless, they do feature a Trail Grip outsole that can be great for use on off-road conditions.

D-shaped lacing hooks line the uppers of the leather and leather-fabric combination variations. This makes the design much easier to tighten, especially because the leather material can be a little on the stubborn side.

On the jacquard version, you’ll find the D-shaped hooks replaced with speed hooks that add a touch of aesthetic to the overall look of the boot.

Ultra Durable for Demanding Terrain

We’ve all come to know Timberland as one of the most reliable boot brands on the market. Rarely will you find a Timberland design that easily gives in to wear, tear, and damage. So it’s safe to expect the same from the Euro Hiker.

The leather option definitely delivers in terms of long-term use. With its stubborn uppers and reinforced sole, the design can last you a good five to ten years, depending on how often you use them and what kind of environments you use them in.

For a fashion boot design, the jacquard and the leather-fabric combination variations don’t do too bad in the durability department as well. Of course, they may require more maintenance, care, and caution, but ultimately, the boots will last you some time before you’ll find the need to settle on buying a replacement for them.

A Wealth of Other Variations

The Euro Hiker Boot comes in a number of different variations. Across the designs however, silhouette rarely changes, with main differences lying in the materials used for each choice.

As I previously discussed, the Euro Hikers can come in a jacquard material or in a leather-fabric combination variation. These choices can be a whole lot better looking than the leather Euro Hikers, often purchased by Timberland patrons as more of fashion footwear rather than a work or hiking boot.

For those who want a worthy winter-time companion, the Euro Hiker can also be purchased in a Shell Toe Winter Bootvariation. This ultra reinforced design uses both leather and textile for its upper, and features a reinforced synthetic sole. The boot measures 7 inches from the heel and comes equipped with a waterproof membrane to protect your feet from the moisture of snow and muddy winter terrain.

In terms of colorways, there’s a wealth of choices if you’re invested in style. From wheat beige to blacks, you can be sure to find a boot that’s right for you.

Keep in mind though that most of the colorways are available as leather-fabric combo boots or jacquard boots. That’s because the leather alternative was designed more for work and hiking. As its buyers tend to be less particular about aesthetic, it doesn’t offer quite as many colorway choices.

Choices for Women and Kids

Of course, Timberland also offers the Euro Hiker design as a women’s and kids’ boot option. For women, the designs rarely differ compared to the men’s. With a sleeker silhouette and more feminine colorways, the Euro Hiker for women boasts the same durable stylish design that the men’s option provides.

The children’s Euro Hiker on the other hand is more for aesthetics rather than function. Since kids rarely ever need the robust construction of a full-fledged work boot, the materials are more forgiving. This gives the boots improved comfort perfect for little feet. Nonetheless, they are pretty hardy. So you can be sure that the boots will stand the onslaught of tireless toddler feet.

Pros of the Euro Hiker Boot

  • Durable construction characteristic of the Timberland brand.
  • Comfortable boots with plush padding and enough cushion to cradle your feet and conform to your foot shape.
  • Aesthetically pleasing, allowing you to leverage the boot as strictly for fashion purposes.
  • Lots of colorways to choose from so you can get one that truly suits your preferences and taste.
  • Superb ankle support, keeping you safe from all sorts of ankle injuries.
  • Spacious toe box for added comfort.
  • Secure lacing system helps make it easier to adjust boot tightness for a snug and comfortable fit.

Cons of the Euro Hiker Boot

  • Leather variation isn’t quite as breathable as it could have been.
  • Jacquard and leather-fabric combo variations aren’t as durable.
  • Traction could use improvement especially on workplace surfaces and in moist conditions.

The Verdict

Timberland has done it once again with a great boot design that marries function and form perfectly. I highly recommend the Euro Hiker Boot for anyone in search of a great everyday boot. They’re also ideal as a trusty outdoor companion for those challenging nature trails. Just make sure to buy the boot in the right make and material. With so many variations, it’s easy to fall into a purchase that doesn’t meet your actual needs.

Sources

  1. ANKLE ACUTE INJURIES…, www.sportsci.org