The Weekender
“This is the Chuck Norris of hiking shoes!” proclaimed one tester. Even if we couldn’t see the resemblance, we certainly agree that the Col packs an impressive punch. Bolstered by a waterproof liner, the mostly full-grain leather upper—the toughest breathable material—proved itself on weekend after weekend of wet slogs in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rustproof metal grommets let you really crank down the laces for a responsive fit, and Vibram’s deeply lugged dual-density outsole—a firm edge for stability and a soft centerline for grip—kept the boot steady during rough, slippery descents under 40-pound packs. Sweaty feet, beware: This boot gets hot. 16.9 oz;
Support: 4.6
Comfort: 3.6