Can You Hike In Timberlands? We Tested Them!
Timberlands are very common boots and feel comfortable and durable. They’re however commonly considered more casual wear that doesn’t fit outdoor activities such as hiking. So, are Timberlands good for hiking?
Timberlands are suitable for hiking, mainly for non-technical trails, depending on the hiker’s personal preferences. They offer comfort and durability, but their weight and poor traction and support may make them less suitable for hiking compared to dedicated hiking boots.
In this post, we’ll cover the topic of hiking in timberlands, compare them with proper hiking boots, consider the pros and cons, and showcase my test of timberlands on hikes.
Hiking in Timberlands
Considering Timberlands as hiking boots, some features make them suitable, and some make them less ideal for a hike. Considering the pros and cons is really important for making an informed decision, so you can make the right choice for your specific preferences.
Many people have Timberlands and typically use them as casual wear shoes. I like their design and overall look, but when considering whether they’re suitable for hiking, multiple other factors have to be considered.
One of the main advantages of Timberlands is comfort, as many people report they’re really easy to break in, so they feel the boots become comfortable right from the start.
Timberlands are also known for their durability and overall toughness. This can be a major benefit for hiking, as the boots can withstand the wear and tear of the hike, and hold up during the trip. The boots are also water-resistant, making them good for water crossings and more.
However, there are a few downsides with Timberlands as hiking boots. The first main issue with the boots is that they don’t provide enough traction and support. While they have a decent grip, their sole pattern isn’t as aggressive as might be needed for hiking in rough terrain. On rougher hikes, you need good traction to stay on the trail and more forward without slipping, and while Timberlands do have decent traction, it’s not as good as the alternative.
Timberlands are also considered heavy when compared with other options, which can lead to fatigue and discomfort if you’re going on a long hike.
When choosing which boots to go on a hike with, it’s important to think about the specific hiking conditions you’re going to encounter. Timberlands might be suitable for shorter, less strenuous hikes, but generally aren’t recommended for rougher trips. It’s also important to consider how well the boots fit on your feet, as improper fit can lead to discomfort.
Timberlands Comparison with Hiking Boots
As discussed before, Timberlands can be good for hiking in certain conditions, based on the hiker’s personal preferences. But to make an informed decision, we should compare Timberlands with proper hiking boots, to see how they measure up.
Of course, hiking boot models vary in features, but here I’ve compared an average hiking boot with Timberlands.
In general, both Timberlands and hiking boots are comfortable to wear, and both are made to be durable enough to withstand trail conditions. Additionally, both are water resistant, which can be very important for hikers.
It’s important to note that many hiking boots may require breaking in before going on a serious trip, while Timberlands generally break in really fast.
However, when it comes to traction and support, hiking boots are designed specifically for rough trail conditions, and will generally perform better than Timberlands. On rough trails, proper hiking boots provide essential support and traction, which is important to safely stay on the trail, while Timberlands may struggle to provide the necessary grip.
Generally, if you’re going on a difficult trek or a technical hike, I’d suggest leaving your Timberlands at home and going with a pair of proper hiking boots, which are designed for hiking and should do much better in these conditions. Still, on more comfortable trails, Timberlands can do just fine, even when compared with hiking boots.
I’ve summarized the different features one should consider for hiking footwear, comparing Timberlands with proper hiking boots:
Feature | Timberlands | Hiking Boots |
Comfort | High | High |
Durability | High | High |
Waterproofing | Yes | Yes |
Traction | Adequate | Excellent |
Support | Adequate | Excellent |
Weight | Moderate | Moderate |
Testing Timberlands on a hike
I recently went for a hike with my girlfriend. We were traveling abroad, so we didn’t have all our normal equipment, including boots. She was traveling with Timberlands as her footwear of choice, so she went out on the hike with them.

The hike was on a relatively easy flat trail, with some areas of ice here and there, and minor challenges that included a somewhat steep incline. Despite the lack of proper equipment, she found her Timberlands to be relatively comfortable during the hike, providing enough support for the trail conditions we encountered.
Her shoes seemed to hold up pretty well on the trail and showed no signs of wear during the hike.
Conclusion
Timberlands are popular shoes, and they’re fine for hiking, mainly for relatively easy, non-technical hikes. They’re very comfortable and durable but lack traction and support.
If you don’t have an alternative, going on a relatively simple hike with Timberlands should be completely fine. I always prefer to go out with proper hiking boots, because I feel more comfortable and better supported, but Timberlands are fine for easy hikes.
Have fun on your next hike!