As a travel blogger, I’m usually much more concerned with comfort and practicality than fashion, but when I was invited to trial and review a pair of Timberland 6 inch boots, I had an inkling they might just be able to tick all three boxes.
…and I was right.
I trialled these boots while exploring nine countries as part of the EUROPEAN DISCOVERY TOUR with Contiki. I chose to go in December (probably not the best time of year for Europe!) but, despite some harsh weather, they performed great!
Not only did these shoes serve me well in some of Europe’s most desirable cities, they withstood some harsh winter weather and one unexpected trek through Swiss woodland.
COMFORT
This is where these boots really excel. There was absolutely no pain or discomfort associated with wearing them in. In temperatures below freezing, my feet were snug and warm, and come rain or snow, they remained waterproof. I wore them straight out of the box for 16 consecutive days of sightseeing, covering more miles than many serious hikers, and they didn’t relent – something I wish I could also say for my umbrella during my day tour of Paris…
Tip: I read in another review that it was best to order a size smaller than normal. This reviewer had experienced significant pain until the leather stretched. In my opinion, it’s much better to get them in your usual size. Even if your feet are narrow and they feel roomy, they’ll stay firmly on.
DURABILITY
Timberland boots have been around almost 40 years, so the manufacturers have had a lot of time to tweak any issues and incorporate the best materials. The current design has anti-fatigue technology and uses premium waterproof leather with seam-sealed construction to keep your feet dry. There’s a padded collar to cushion the ankle, and the outer material is rustproof so that the authentic Timberland look doesn’t deteriorate with wear and tear. The rubber gum sole provides traction on challenging terrain and the steel shank gives additional arch support.
Tip: Timberland sell an effective waterproofing spray. A couple of coats of this before you first wear them will help keep them looking new.
STYLE
If celebrities are anything to go by, then the past year has proven that Timberland boots are bang on trend. Everyone from Kanye West to Rihanna has been snapped by the paps wearing them. They’re unisex and surprisingly versatile. While you wouldn’t usually think to wear a hiking boot as a fashion statement – much less pair it with a dress – these actually look pretty damn good with most outfits. Compliments were flooding in from people of all ages, proving that their appeal knows no bounds.
Tip: Straggly laces can make these boots look a little unkempt, but if you’re keen not to sacrifice your comfort, you really need to tie them. One way around this issue is to loop the laces so that they end on adjacent eyelets on the inside of the boot. This way, you can tie your laces behind the tongue and tuck them inside the boot out of view.
PRICE
As with pretty much anything in life, you get what you pay for. With a recommended retail price of £160, they’re not particularly cheap. Having said that, they deliver on so many levels that it really is worth the splurge. They’ll last you many years, you can wear them for almost any occasion and you’ll look good in the process. I believe that premium Timberland 6 inch boots should be on any city traveller’s packing list.
Tip: Make sure you’re buying the genuine deal by using a trusted retailer. The traditional boots have a punched Timberland logo on the side. They come packaged in a sturdy, branded box and the lace tip ends are burnt rather than tipped with plastic. I ordered mine online from JD Sports and they arrived in good time for my trip and in perfect condition.
STILL NEED CONVINCING?
I love mine so much I bought a second pair in black to wear on smarter occasions when I just want to be comfortable. You can find out more about all of Timberland’s products on their website below.
BROWSE TIMBERLAND BOOTS
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Disclaimer: In return for this review, I received my Timberland 6 inch boots free of charge from JD Sports. I was under no obligation to write a favourable review and all opinions expressed in this article are genuine and transparent.
I’m in serious need of footwear. I’m in the market for both sneakers/runners and a walking shoe as I walk (and hike) a lot, am on my feet teaching for several hours each day and jog about three times per week; so I wear stuff out fast. Maybe, just maybe you have me sold here, will try to find these and try ’em on anyway. Hoping hoping hoping they’ll fit wonderfully and I’ll want ’em as buying footwear is often an elusive endeavor for moi.
You model those very well btw. :-)
Mike | Earthdrifter recently posted..Scenery From My Temporary Backyard
Oh good! I hope you like them. I honestly wasn’t too convinced until I tried them myself and now they never come off! ;)
semi-sealed? seam sealed?…is it just a typo or is it alien technology? :P
Oops. Thanks for pointing that out. I’ve edited it!
Had two pairs of the vaunted Tims. Mine didn’t last even a year. I have been using Fitwell Yumas since the last five years. Anyway, that’s just my two cents and I do not model mine as well as she does hers…so, there’s that ;)
Haha. Thanks for the compliment! I have to say, I’ve got two pairs as well, one of which I’ve worn day in, day out for two years (including occasional hiking through mud and boggy areas!), and they’re still performing incredibly well. My only complaint would be that the laces have needed replacing three times, but I guess that’s a minor issue when they’re so cheap.
Do It! I spent years avoiding these boots on the basis that the price was for the brand only. How wrong I was! Snaffled a pair last year at a Timberland outlet…and lived in them through winter. Instantly comfortable. Durable. And snug! Have just bought a pair of Timberland sandals to appease my sadness for having to put my boots away for summer. Suffice to say, sandals are just as comfortable…more so than my slippers :)
Ohhhh, I’ve never tried the sandals. I bet they’re really comfy though! I basically live in my Timberlands all winter and then switch to Havaiana flip flops for summer.
These are a great pair of unisex boots. They really are one of the best waterproof boots on the market at the moment, I wear my pair at least once a week. Great review and photography : )
Ivor recently posted..The Top 10 Best Work Boots of 2015
Thanks! Yes, they’re awesome!
Are they good for summer hiking too? :)
I would say so, yes. I would probably choose a walking boot rather than these for hiking, but for longer walks in summer weather where they’re unlikely to get covered in mud I’m sure they’d be supportive and comfortable.
Hey! I’m just wondering if your boots ended up stained after being in the rain or snow a lot? I’m thinking of buying the pink Timberlands to travel to Europe in winter but I don’t want them to end up looking all grotty! Thanks :)
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Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for your message! Mine look pretty good still, and they got rained on a lot! I think you should be ok as long as you’re not trawling through mud as well. It’s also a good idea to spray them with protector before you first wear them. I didn’t bother, but I don’t know if that will make a difference further down the line…
Hi, I have a quick question about warmth. Im travelling through sweden’s north during winter and it looks like Timberlands will be my best bet. What temperatures did you test them through? Sweden gets down to -30 in the north.
Thanks
Argh, I’m afraid I can’t help you with that. It was winter in Europe when I tested them out. I can tell you they’re pretty toasty at temperatures of around 0 celsius, but I don’t know about extreme cold…
Hi Tegan,
I’m also thinking about getting these boots for travelling in lapland in winter. I found one website selling them that said their comfort range is -12 to 12 celsius so for trekking through snow/trekking outdoors for long periods of time you probably need a specific snow boot which has a comfort range from somewhere like -40 but these should be good for cities and towns when you aren’t outside for ages at a time. I’ve decided to hire snow boots so I don’t have to carry them around with me but depends on how much time you are spending in the outdoors in really cold places for whether it’s worth it.
Thanks for your advice Amy! I’ve never been anywhere even close to that cold, so it’s great to have your input :)
Hi! I will be traveling in two weeks and I just bought a pair of this online. Are they really comfortable fro walking? and hope they are not so heavy, i am a bit worried i will get tired with these!
I find them really comfortable for walking. They’re like stylish walking boots. I think you’ll be absolutely fine. They’re a bit heavier than other shoes you might be more used to, but you won’t notice when you’re wearing them. Hope you like them!
Are they good for winter?
I think so – certainly in Europe. I haven’t tested them out in really cold weather, but some people have discussed this in the comments above. I’d say they’re definitely good for temps above O degrees. It’s quite likely you’d need a specialist boot for anything much colder than that…
wooow cool….awesome boots…i really want to buy….
Do it! I miss mine. I’m in SE Asia at the moment and only brought flip flops!
Hi sorry I have a question about the exact weight of premium 6″ boots if you know? Tnx
I’m sorry, I don’t know their weight. I couldn’t find it listed on the Timberland website. I’d weigh mine for you, but I’m in Asia for the next few months. As with any sturdy boot, they’re heavier than the average shoe, but they don’t feel heavy when you wear them. Perhaps you could find a store to try them on at before ordering online…?
400g each
Hi, wonder you did a spray coating on the boots before wearing? I love the natural look. Wonder if it’s ok on snow area if I don’t do the spray coat? Your recommendation? Thanks!
I actually didn’t bother. I haven’t worn them in snow, but they got rained on a lot and they still look good. They’re shoes after all. I agree with you that the natural, worn look is good. I’d imagine the spray helps protect them and keeps them stronger for longer, but they’re very sturdy anyway.
are they the premium boots or basics?
These are the premium boots :)
I live in iceland i wear this boots allyear round goodin freezing road
That’s great to know! Thanks for sharing Aj. I hope I get to visit Iceland one day :)
Well, I beg to differ! I have my boots for a few years, have worn them as necessary and taken good care of them. Last month I was really surprised to see that the sole had broken down spectacularly: it comprises a internal foam and a relatively thin plastic cover that just peeled off!!
As an engineer, I can understand that companies experiment with new materials, but what disappointed me is the indifferent reply that I got when writing to Timberland. So strike durability off ….
Oh no! I’m really sorry to hear that.
Thanks for the review. Gonna buy it soon but dont know if they are in fashion in India anyways going to buy it!!!!
I don’t think it matters! If they’re not, perhaps you’ll start a new trend there :)
Hello, i’m planning to buy them on my trip in usa this june/july.. How much does it cost for the premium ones? And is it okay to use in the summer? Thankyou (:
Is the Premium boots called/labelled ICON on their website? Thks! ;)
Hi Arianwen,
I’m reaching out on behalf of our client Timberland.
We love the photos you’ve included in this review, and are interested in using them in a Timberland video.
I tried emailing you, but received a bounce-back. We’d love to chat with you!
Can you please email me?
Thanks, Arianwen!
Hi Christina! Thank you for your message! I’ll email you now :)
Hi I tried to make an order on the website http://www.timberland.pt. and the only thing I got was 121 € debited on my account, and no order, I spent money to call to the only number available for store support, and they have said that in 24h I would have my money back, this was at a few days ago, and until now I got 0€ back?
Since then they are saying that don´t find find my payment, but I already sent the proof of payment with card number, hour, day, value, everything that I could send an until now, nothing satisfactory, they don´t even care about the items that I was trying to order. Cold support client, I do not recommend to buy anything on timberland website. Beside that, the site is slow, and not intuitive, there is some difficulties in the filters the client can use. sheety website..
Before buying on timberland online or even stores, please read reviews over the internet…
Hi, I just read your article, I’m going to travel to Europe these winter, and I’m worried about the comfort of the boot for long walks. I just bought them, and on the first try they are a little bit rigid on the ankle and the heel, is that normal? I’m worried that they are not comfortable as timberland says.
Hi George. Thanks for your comment. It’s difficult for me to say, as I suppose different shoes fit different foot shapes more comfortably. I believe that, in general, they’re a well-designed comfortable shoe. You will probably also find that they loosen up a bit after you’ve worn them a few times. I own two pairs and have never had problems with the rigidity of the boot. They have to be firm to be durable. I hope you find that they become more comfortable over time.
I read some reviews mentioned they were narrow and entry slip on was difficult??? And is it true to size? I wear a 7.5 if not it’s not considered narrow otherwise a 8.
Hi. I think your best bet is to try some on in a store before ordering them from whichever supplier you decide to use. Which size you go for might depend on how you intend to use them. I actually have a tan pair in one size bigger than I normally buy because I tend to wear them with thicker socks for hiking. More recently, I bought a black pair in my normal size because I tend to wear them with smarter outfits and thinner socks. I can’t comment on how comfortable they’ll be for everybody, but they’re well designed and very popular. For me, it’s not difficult to get them on and off, as long as I loosen the laces a lot and then tighten them quite a bit once they’re on my foot. I hope this helps!
Hi Ari,
My personal best pair for hiking have been the Asolo Fugitive for their excellent durability and light weight. I seem to love the Timberland after your review. How heavy did you find them? I see other features such as comfort, style and traction are a catch and their durability is of course unquestionable. If their weight is something I can carry on my feet for long hikes then I have found a new catch!
Daniel recently posted..Expert Review of the Best Hiking Boots (Both Men’s and Women’s)
I find my Timberlands to be reasonably lightweight, although I’m sure there are brands out there made specifically to be lighter. I love my Timberlands so much I have two pairs in different colours. I personally wouldn’t wear them to go on long hikes for two reasons. 1. I like how they look and wouldn’t want to ruin them; and 2. I still think that boots made specifically for hiking are likely to be a bit better (i.e., perhaps more waterproof or provide better ankle support). I wear these boots for hiking and my Timberlands when I want to look smarter/cooler but know I’ll have to walk a long way that day and need to be comfortable too. If I can only choose one pair of heavy shoes to take on a big trip travelling, it would be the Timberlands, as they’re so versatile.
I have been a dedicated Timberland user for 25 years but have been having problems with the last 3 pairs I purchased. In my opinion they are barely water resistant, by the second or third time they are in the water they start leaking. Even worse then this, the last three boots I have purchased have started squeaking really bad! Everyone knows when I am coming from 50 yds away!! I think the quality of these boots has dropped dramatically so I don’t recommend them anymore. I will not longer buy Timberland products!
Hi Jay, I’m sorry to hear this. I’m still getting on really well with the two pairs I have, and I only purchased the second pair a few months ago.
Are they comfortable to walk in for hours if I were to wear it on trips when long hours of walking’s required?
I do this all the time, and I find them really comfortable. Obviously, I can’t speak for everyone as we have different foot shapes, but they’re certainly supportive and well-cushioned. When I took mine to Europe, I wore them every single day for 2 weeks, and on a lot of those days I was out for around 10 hours doing nothing but walking around cities with my camera.
They are not the cheapest but they have style and comfort. What more can you ask for?
Great review! I’m looking to by a pair of black timbs, but I’m worried about keeping them clean. I’m not sure if you’re often in area with a lot of snow and salt, but are you able to keep your black pair clean in the winter with all the salt on the roads? I had some black suede boots that got badly stained from salt and I don’t want that to happen to a muchmuch more expensive pair!
Or even with just general wear and tear, do scuff marks on the black boots come out easily? Seems like everything shows up more on black shoes.
Hi Gina! I really love my black pair. I’ve had them for over 2 years and worn them almost constantly. We don’t experience a lot of snow and salt in the UK, but there is some. I’ve also walked along plenty of very muddy footpaths and they’ve fared pretty well as walking boots. A bit of a light scrub brought them up clean and I still wear them with dresses. I never used any kind of protective spray on them either. I hope you find that they withstand the snow and salt. They are a very comfortable and sturdy shoe.
I’ve heard so many good and bad reviews but i think i will leave it at this one! I’m looking to buy a pair of Timberlands, i am a school student and will most likely be wearing them every day going about life.. do you recommend i should bye then?!?
I’d say go for it. I wear mine all the time in the UK and I think they’re really comfortable. They’re the only shoe I’ve ever bought a second pair of in another colour :)
I’ve always had the unfortunate knack of buying the wrong type of boots. Thanks for this article! Will be buying a new pair soon.