Reviews > Footwear > Boots > Timberland Flume hiking boots > Owner Review by Erin Marie Hedden

TIMBERLAND FLUME HIKING BOOTS
BY ERIN M. HEDDEN
OWNER REVIEW
January 31, 2011

TESTER INFORMATION

Backpacking Background: I have been backpacking since I was 4 years old, taking trips into the mountains for week long stays at a time with my family. I hike various terrains throughout Colorado from mountains and plateaus to grasslands and prairies. My excursions can be a day hike with a waist pack, a loop trail with 3 nights camping between start and finish, or an in-and-out trip which can range from an overnighter to 4 nights camping. Depending on the area and weather I use a tent or go hammock camping if I would rather stay up off of the ground.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer: Timberland Company
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.timberland.com
MSRP: US $90.00
Listed Weight: 2 lbs 5 oz (1.05 kg) Per Boot
Measured Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz (0.99 kg) Per Boot
Material: Leather & Mesh Uppers
Color: Brown/Black
Size: 8 US Men's
Timberland offers the Flume in men's sizes only, from size 7 Medium to size 13 Medium.
I purchased Men's size 8 because ever since childhood I have always worn men's footwear. I am more comfortable in men's shoes for the most part.
Product Description:
According to Timberlands website it boasts that one could "trudge through icy puddles and across frozen streets without a second thought". So with the multidirectional rubber lug outsole to give traction on slippery surfaces, and being made of premium high quality leather with mesh uppers they are not only comfortable they are waterproof and are said to be abrasion resistant too. They are constructed with seam-sealed outers and a moisture-wicking lining inside which is made from 50% recycled PET. The footpad is removable while the padded collar and gusseted tongue adds to comfort. On the outsole the lugs are strategically placed so that they follow the curved center of pressure and the four natural motions of one's own foot, this is to improve traction and to extend the wearing performance of the boot itself. It is a tread pattern unique to Timberland, and it works!

Photo from Timberland Company

Photo from Timberland Company

FIELD CONDITIONS

I've worn the Timberland Flume Hiking Boots on the streets and sidewalks of towns and cities as well as on trails that were hard packed dirt, some that were covered with gravel and were well kept and on some trails that were more like game trails than actual hiking trails, sometimes scrambling over tree roots and sandstone slabs.

Many times I have run into bad weather and had to pick my way over muddy trails that were more like bogs while avoiding spills into the mire since the soil is clay in the canyons and it can prove quite difficult to navigate over, around and through without at least slipping and falling at least once or twice for every 2 miles (3.22 km) of travel. Sometimes the trail would get bad enough that I would pick my way through the prairie grasses, cactus, sagebrush and rabbit brush that commonly surrounds the trails in Southeastern Colorado rather than sink ankle deep in the muck.

The snow in my area is generally heavy and wet and quickly ices over with the cold temperatures of the evening and nights here. There have been several times that the boots became saturated in the heavy snow but my feet would remain dry, which I was quite appreciative of since the temperatures were quite balmy at the time ranging anywhere from 10 F (-12 C)to -15 F (-26 C). As long as I had gaiters on there were never any problems with wet feet at the end of the journey.

I've covered everything from sub-alpine forest to sandy lake shores, sidewalks to shale slopes and everything in between.

OBSERVATIONS

I purchased these boots 4 years ago and the first day out of the box they were used on a 12 mile (19 km) hike through the canyons in Eastern Colorado and despite the fact that they had no time to be broken in, rather they were thrown right into the fire with this hike, they proved themselves well when I came out of the canyons without any blisters on my feet. Since buying them they have carried me up steep mountain trails and down scree slopes through the high Wet Mountains as well as the Sangre De Cristo mountains range as well. Crossing streams and rivers and even standing in bogs they have been put to the test and stressed to the limits over the last 4 years.

Not only did I not experience any aches and pains the first time out with these boots I have never had a problem since my purchase either. They've proven to be quite comfortable as well as being quite at ease rock-hopping through the canyons and ravines near my home as well as trotting along the beaten switch back paths found in the mountains.

I've worn them out in plenty of snowstorms over the 4-year span of time in which they have been in my service and they have experienced temperatures of down to -15 F (-26 C) and there were no run-ins with leather cracking or becoming brittle after they became wet then set up in the cold temperatures. I generally wear wool socks during the winter months while out and about with these boots on.

On an ice fishing trips out onto the thick ice of North Lake where the temperature was -5 F below 0 (-21 C), they stood up to the cold and the wind and kept my feet from freezing while I stood there on the ice with my three-foot pole and a hole in the ice.

4 Years & Still Hiking

During the summer months in the canyons where I spend a great deal of time the temperature gets up to 110 F (43 C) during the heat of the day and the boots were subjected to everything from loose gravel and sand to hard packed trail and sandstone. In these conditions I don cotton socks to prevent sweating profusely.

SUMMARY

In summation I feel that it is safe to say that the Timberland Flume is a very comfortable fit for me, it has withstood the test of time, many trails and many miles off trail as well. When Timberland promised the boots were made of premium leather and were seam-sealed to be waterproof they delivered on that promise still today, 4 years later. Timberland designed and produced a very versatile and durable hiking boot that I plan on employing on many more trips out on both the beaten path as well as the paths I make for myself.

CARE PROVIDED

To test the Timberland Company's claim I never applied any waterproofing to the boots but rather relied on the claim that they were indeed waterproof upon purchase, however, I did clean them regularly with a soft toothbrush after each use by cleaning away any mud and dirt that was stuck on the boots and pulling out any rocks that were wedged into the lugs on the soles.

I never applied any high heat to the boots to dry them off after they became wet, rather I allowed them to dry naturally.

THINGS I LIKE

1. The high quality construction of the boots.
2. The comfort is phenomenal.
3. The long lasting life of the sole.
4. Being waterproof and remaining to be waterproof over 4 years and running.
5. The sleek look.
6. The ease of breaking them in.
7. Their versatility.

Well Used

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

1. If I had to choose one thing I disliked about these hiking boots it would be the fact that the company boasted about the boots' premium leather being abrasion resistant when in fact after year 2 they began scuffing on the toe portion of the boot even with the proper care and treatment provided.

Reviews > Footwear > Boots > Timberland Flume hiking boots > Owner Review by Erin Marie Hedden