Recently, I was able to try out a pair of charcoal grey Trooper Mid 200 i WP boots from Hi-Tec. I had heard great things about these boots over the years, and when an evaluation pair in my size was sent to us, I jumped at the chance to get my feet in them, and find out how they’d do in the rugged Utah terrain.
These boots come with i-Sheild, which repels water, oil, and prevents stains, to keep your boots looking good. They also have a Dri-Tec membrane that is breathable and waterproof, which keeps your feet dry. Unfortunately this winter has been so warm that there was no snow to tromp around in and check the warmth that the 200g Thinsulate can provide. On the outside, the charcoal with white stitching is a good look. In fact, I received several compliments in just the first few days of wearing them. They’re a mix of canvas and leather, making them durable, but not the weight of full leather boots. I have tried, really just wore out, many types of boots over the years and what I found is that I prefer this hybrid type boot that keeps the stiff over-the-ankle support, but is able to breathe better down at your foot. Any type of hiking boot has to be water proof and breathable if I am going to even consider it for regular use. This boot has both of these features. They are complimented by a thick, heavy lug Vibram sole. These boots feel solid, but not like you‘re wearing a stiff, heavy duty all leather boot that adds ten pounds to your weight. I get the impression they will handle most anything that you can throw at them.
The Dri-Tec membrane left me quite impressed. These boots are insulated, and I generally by un-insulated boots and use quality socks for insulation. The downside of this is that my feet can‘t breathe and will overheat if it‘s not cold enough. In the Trooper Mid, I felt like my feet could still breathe, and they didn’t get too hot. So they’ll be good up through late spring high country hiking and fishing, but will be too warm for the hot valley summers around here.
I’m really looking forward to wearing these while on multi-day outings. They will allow me to go all day, and have the support I need to carry a decent sized pack. There really is only one thing that I‘m finding that I don‘t like about these boots, and that is that they’re probably just too warm to wear all year. Other than that, they are good looking, with an easy to clean leather toe, heel and stress points. They have nylon hardware that fits the looks of the boot well. They’re nice and tall with solid support to handle true backcountry work, and they look good enough to wear every day too. hi-tec.com
– Rob