Timberland Chocorua Goretex Day Hikers

[cchu518]

Over the past few years I have been wearing the newer style light hiker/day hiker boots and shoes. Mainly Keen Targhees and Merrell MOAB GTX. This past summer I went back to Timberland and more specifically the Timberland Chocorua. I just wanted to put in a plug for this pair of hiking boots.

I normally do day hikes primarily and car camping. The steepest vertical climbs I normally do are manageable and would include day hikes such as Stairway to Heaven on the AT Trail. Which is a 3.5 mile trip with a 1,000 foot elevation or Harriman's Blue trail which I call the stupid trail as the other trail going up to the pond is a much easier hike, lol.

The Chocoruas are rather old school looking but weight in just at 32 ounces for the pair. This is identical to the Moab Ventilators and Keen Targhees

Pro's
Excellent shoe for those with a lot of foot volume
Tons of ankle padding
Large toebox
Great all around non-tech gear shoe but with a Gore-tex liner
Better foot padding then the Moab but less than the Targhee (a solid aftermarket insole would make each brand of shoe rival the OEM insole)
Easy to get into
Better fit than the Waterproof Targhee whose liners kill the overall fit of a wonderful shoe by making the toebox area too tight if you are a half size
Waterproof

Cons vs the Targhee and Moab
The heel is not as stable as the other too but that's because the overall fit is a bit looser so if you have skinny feet you might not like the boot
Not as snub as the Targhee or Moab
Does not feel like a sneaker which the Moab manages to do
The sole is not as thick as the Targhees

Overall if you don't need serious serious ankle support I would recommend this day hiker for those who only carry a sub 20LB pack on their hikes. I have found it to be a really great shoe for hiking.

In comparison the very best day hiking show I've ever worn is now discountinued - is the Nike Wildledge GTX which I have done 15 miles hikes in the Arizona desert in. The thick rubber bottom actually prevented my foot from being speared by a 3" saguaro pricker. Unfortunately they don't make those anymore.

I would have kept on buying the Merrell's had they come with better foot padding or the Keen's had they provide more room for people with flat feet and a lot of foot volume. Either way I'm glad I found the Chocorua's as they have been very good for their $100 price tag.