When I’m off on a gear-testing adventure, I try to find a location that’s rugged, remote and has a wide variety of weather conditions so I can really put my hiking gear through the wringer. So, when I signed up for a 10-day trek through Chile’s mountainous, untrammeled Aysen Region with Wildland Trekking, I knew it would be the perfect place to take my new hiking boots, the Altra Timp Hiker GTX.
Before I hopped on the plane, I took these babies out for a few snowy dog walks in my hometown of Boulder, Colorado, to see how they fared on icy sidewalks. Then, while traveling, I tramped around on- and off-trail in the brand-new Patagonia National Park, hauling 20 to 30 pounds in my backpack. Along the way, my group encountered brisk glacial river crossings, steep forested slopes riddled with slick tree roots and rocky passes in the high alpine zones.
Not only was the trip an absolute stunner in terms of scenery, but it also gave me a fantastic look at how these hiking boots perform across a huge variety of conditions. Below, I’ll elaborate on where the Altra Timp Hiker GTX shine and where they lack.
Featuring Vibram Megagrip soles, a cushy midsole and Gore-Tex waterproofing technology, Altra’s ultralight Timp Hiker GTX are designed for maximum comfort and tread in the harshest terrain.
Durable ankle support meets ultra-grippy Vibram soles in these lightweight, zero-drop hiking boots by Altra. Their wide toe box makes steep descents a breeze, and Gore-Tex waterproofing helps your feet stay dry and cozy in any weather.
What we liked about them
Having trekked in the Timp Hiker GTX across muddy puddles, dusty dirt roads and rocky national park trails, I can safely say these hiking shoes are ready to tackle almost anything. But their ultralight profile, ankle support and extra-grippy soles truly set them apart.
Ultralight weight
Weighing 10 ounces per shoe (for the women’s model), Altra has done the seemingly impossible and created a well-cushioned hiking boot with ankle support that weighs well under 2 pounds for the pair. This is important if you’re planning on a multiday backpacking expedition or a big-mile day hike, because the more weight you have on your feet, the more quickly you’ll fatigue on the trail. Somehow, the brand even managed to slip in a solid layer of Gore-Tex waterproofing while maintaining the boots’ ultralight design.
After 10 days of rambling through Patagonia in the Timp Hiker GTX, hiking 5 to 14 miles per day with loads of elevation gain and loss, I can safely say that I hardly noticed the weight on my feet — the shoes feel more like a lightweight trail runner than a full-on heavy hiking boot.
Great ankle support
I’m one of those people who routinely rolls their ankles, so the trend of long-distance backpacking in lightweight trail runners is utterly lost on me. I was pleasantly surprised when I first laced up my Timp Hikers to find they boast sturdier ankle support than most similar boots I’ve tested in the “ultralight” category. If anything, I found myself loosening the shoelaces around the upper hooks to occasionally give my ankles a break when the trail flattened out.
Wide forefoot area
True to the brand, Altra designed its Timp Hiker GTX with its famously wide toe box and zero-drop profile. This is ideal for those of us who like to put up 10 miles in a single day or trek across a national park with a 40-pound pack on for days on end because it’s common for feet to swell and widen over time spent pummeling the hard dirt trail. Plus, a wider forefoot (even if your feet are categorized as normal width) makes it easier to descend steep terrain comfortably, without your toes slamming into the front of the shoe and dislodging your precious toenails.
Awesome, grippy soles
The boot’s Vibram Megagrip outsole is my favorite feature of the all-new Timp Hiker GTX. Not only did they keep me firmly in control of my footing while crossing dangerously swift glacial rivers and scrambling up craggy alpine passes in Patagonia National Park, but they also kept me from falling into the mud or slipping on a late summer snowfield when the weather turned sour during my trek. To me, this is well worth the price point, because staying upright in the wilderness is a huge point of safety.
What we didn’t like about them
As with most ultralight gear, Altra had to make some necessary sacrifices when designing the new Timp Hiker GTX. For instance, we’d love to see a slightly sturdier midsole cushion and more forefoot stability in future iterations of the shoe.
Sensitive midsole foam
One of the few downsides to ultralight hiking boots is that the cushy midsole foam that makes them so comfortable is usually a bit fragile, meaning the shoes might not last as long as a heavier, more durable set of clunkers. After only two days of 5- to 10-mile hikes, one of my fellow Patagonia hikers asked how many miles I’d put on the Timps because the midsole foam on my right shoe was already shredded along its inner edge.
That being said, these boots are built with Altra’s proprietary Ego Max midsole cushioning and are one of the most squishy and comfortable of the brand’s rugged, zero-drop lineup. Just don’t expect them to last 10 years in your closet.
Lacking forefoot stability
This gripe might be on me, because, while the Timp Hiker GTX performed incredibly well on established trails, I noticed my forefoot taking a beating any time my group descended a steep, off-trail slope or trekked across a loose, rocky alpine pass. Unlike when I wear a sturdier hiking boot such as Hoka’s Kaha 2 GTX, the ball of my foot often wavered from side to side in rough off-trail conditions, which tired out my ankle stabilizing muscles much quicker than usual. If I knew I’d be slogging up high mountain slopes without a well-defined trail, I might have packed a heavier (and sturdier) hiker for the job.
How they compare
Compared to other Altra high-tops, like its Lone Peak All-Wthr Mid 2, the Timp Hiker GTX are much cushier and well padded while still maintaining the zero-drop profile the brand is known for.
If you know you’ll be trekking off-trail, or in notably rocky or rugged terrain, and want a lightweight boot that’s sturdier underfoot, try Hoka’s Kaha 2 GTX, which weigh in at 1 pound, 15 ounces per pair. Keen’s bestselling Targhee III Waterproof Mid are a quality, cheaper option for lightweight stability, at just 1 pound, 13 ounces per pair.
Of course, if budget-friendly pricing is at the top of your list when shopping for waterproof hiking boots, you could always go with the fan-favorite Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof hiking boots.
Bottom line
If you want a well-cushioned ultralight hiking boot that’s extra grippy and waterproof enough to tackle established trails in any kind of weather, I’d highly recommend Altra’s new Timp Hiker GTX. With Gore-Tex waterproofing and super-comfy Ego Max midsoles, these shoes are surprisingly robust and full-featured for their low weight. Plus, a sturdy ankle support you can adjust with your own lacing technique means they can transition from day hikes to summertime backpacking romps with ease.
