The North Face M Alkaline LT, W Alkaline LT

Verdict

Talk about mixed conditions: Over the course of 14 hours and 6,500 feet of vertical gain on Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland’s highest peak, I dealt with crumbling volcanic rock that shifted underfoot, loose gravel, slushy snow, glaciated hardpack, and mist so thick it settled like rain. This high-cut, Gore-tex-lined boot barreled through it all without giving me so much as a hot spot or a drip of internal condensation. The nylon mesh upper with nubuck reinforcements is light but tough, and offered ample ankle support for up to 30-pound loads on the uneven terrain. The Vibram tread gripped securely on slush, mud, and hardpack. Ideal for medium- to narrow-width feet.thenorthface.com

Best For

Hikers looking for a waterproof boot with comfort for dayhikes and support for weekends

Tester Data

> Anthony Cerretani

> Duration May to July

> Locales/conditions CO, Iceland; rain, snow, ice; rocky, muddy trail

> “The high, gusseted tongue kept water, stones, pebbles, and debris from sneaking in, even when I was scrambling down steep scree slopes.”
A new lightweight, breathable amphibious multisport shoe designed with monofilament mesh panels that drain water, while preventing
debris from entering the shoe. UPPER/ Abrasion-resistant synthetic nubuck and breathable, quick-drying mesh upper / Monofilament mesh
drainage ports allow water to escape quickly while preventing debris from entering the shoe / Quick-pull lace-lock system with lace garage
for convenience / Quick-drying, perforated Northotic™ footbed BOTTOM/ Lightweight, dual-density, compression-molded X-2™ EVA midsole
/ Heal Cradle™ Pro technology utilizes molded TPU above the midsole to stabilize the heel over a softer density EVA cushioning platform
/ Molded TPU Snake Plate™ protects against stone bruising without a weight penalty / Tenacious™ Grip rubber outsole provides excellent
traction in wet-dry conditions over variable terrain