Reviews > Footwear > Boots > Hi-Tec Altitude II Boots > Owner Review by Kevin Hollingsworth

Owner Review:  Hi-Tec Altitude II
Date: 24 Oct 2006

 Reviewer Information

Name: Kevin Hollingsworth
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Height: 6’ 1” (1.9 m)
Weight: 195 lb (88 kg)
Email address: kholling55@yahoo.com
City, State, Country: Williamsburg, Virginia. USA

I started backpacking and camping when I was in the Scouts. I spent 20 years in the military, which curtailed my personal outdoors adventures. I have mostly gone camping and then day-hiking in the surrounding area, but have been on a few multi-day hiking trips. While day-hiking, I normally carry a light load, a waist pack with mostly food and water, with a few other things. On three to four day trips, I will carry a pack weighing about 45 - 50 lb (21 - 23 kg). I have been hiking in Colorado, Korea, Egypt, and most recently Shenandoah.

Product Information

Manufacturer:  Hi-Tec
Year of Manufacture:   Approximately 2005
URL: www.hi-tec.com

Listed Specifications:
Weight: 20 oz (567 g)
Size: 11.0 US (10.0 UK, 44.0 EUR)

Note: All measurements are mine (unless otherwise specified)
Weight: 22.3 oz (633.2 g)
Color: Chocolate
MSRP: $79.95 (US)

   

The Hi-Tec Altitude II is an ankle high light hiking boot. I purchased the boots at a local retail store. They came in a cardboard box and each boot was wrapped in shipping paper. There was one pair of brown laces included. The boots are leather construction, with double stitching. The upper portion is of waterproof Nubuc leather, with a padded leather collar. It has a fully gusset leather tongue that protrudes about .5 in (1.5 cm) above the collar. It is bellowed and waterproof to keep debris and water from getting inside the boot. The mid sole is constructed of light weight, compression EVA and the outer sole is of a durable carbon rubber. 

The boots have rustproof brass hardware; four metal lacing loops on the foot portion and two metal lacing hooks on the ankle. From the outside all the hardware looks likes riveted to the boot, but because everything is covered by the inside liner, I can not see the see if the rivet go all the way through. The inside liner is made of a moisture wicking fabric. The boots have board-steel shanks, for added rigidity.

 
Field Conditions

I have had these boots for about 2 years, and have worn them on numerous trips. These have included camping trips in both built-up campsites and backcountry sites.  These sites have all been in Virginia, mainly the Shenandoah National Park and in areas around the eastern coast of Virginia. All trips were conducted with a three season tent, ground tarp and a sleeping bag rated at 20 F (-7 C). One trip was conducted in February, with weather conditions changing from clear to rain and then snow. The temperature ranged from 20 to 50 F (-7 to 10 C). The other trips were conducted in the spring and fall with temperatures as low as 40 F (4 C) and as high as 105 F (41 C), The weather conditions have been mostly dry condition with some dampness at night and in the morning and a few raining/drizzling days. The terrain has included mountains, with altitudes around 3000 ft (914 m), and in wooded and clear type areas at around sea level. Most of the trails were either on the Appalachian Trail or in the general area. The trails were either class 2 or class 3 trails as rated by U.S Forest Service and include some rock scrabbles.

Observations

I have been wearing the boots for approximately two years now. I initially bought the boots as general work /outdoor boots. They felt comfortable from the beginning. I was hiking one day with my normal hiking boots, when in the middle of the hike, it started raining. The result was that my feet got “soaked”. The Hi-Tec was labeled as a “light hiking boot” and was suppose to be waterproof, so I tried them out on the next trip.  They worked great.  They were comfortable, had the support that I need, and are waterproof.  I normally wear wool, cotton, or wool blend socks. While wearing the Altitude II, I never had a problem with blisters or “hot spots” on my feet. They are light, but they still support my feet well.  I never had any problems with my ankles after hiking rough terrain. The soles are stiff enough for hiking in varied terrain, but not so stiff, that they are uncomfortable in flat and level terrain. In damp weather or while crossing streams, my feet stayed dry. I have had the boots almost completely submerged in water, and never had water come into the boot.  They have good grip, but when the trail is damp, they tend to get slippery; so I have to be careful.  The boots breathe well at moderate temperatures. But at higher outside temperatures, approximately 90 F (32 C) and above, my feet seem to get hotter and sweat more than they did with my other boots. This is not a huge problem; I just change my socks an extra time.  In the evening, I put my boots either under the tent’s vestibule or in the corner of the tent, by the foot of my bag. After a hard day, the only noticeable odor is one that I would compare to the smell of damp clothes. This is not an unbearable smell, and would quickly go away.  In the morning, the boots are dry and ready to go; there is no drying stiffness or anything like that. I just put them on and go.  To me the price is reasonable, and a lot less than other boots that I’ve had.

 
Summary

 I am quite pleased with the Altitude II. They are good, general hiking boots. I have never had a problem with them and plan to buy the newest version, Altitude IV, soon.

 Things I like:

• Comfort
• Light weight
• Waterproof
• Good grip

Things I don't like:

• Needs to breathe more (hot feet at higher outside temperatures)

Reviews > Footwear > Boots > Hi-Tec Altitude II Boots > Owner Review by Kevin Hollingsworth