Backside Line
The Salomon Toundra Professional boots are one in every of our favourite winter boots for hikes in rugged circumstances. To check them out, we performed a collection of side-by-side experiments and wore them on hikes round Durango, Colorado, in addition to into the workplace.
One factor we found via these checks is that these boots have unimaginable tread! Not solely did they excel on our traction machine, however we now have by no means felt as safe strolling on ice as we did in these boots. One other space of reward is the nice and cozy insulation and fake fur lining. These boots felt heat, generally a bit an excessive amount of so, on every kind of hikes.
No piece of drugs is ideal. In terms of the Toundra, we want they had been a bit lighter on the ft. On drier terrain, specifically, they’ll really feel barely heavy by the tip of the hike. It was additionally disappointing to seek out out that they’ll moist out after about an hour of full submersion. Nevertheless, they carry out properly with brief durations in water.
Total, we had been impressed with how properly these boots carried out in a couple of key areas, and their constant efficiency throughout the board makes them a brand new favourite on our checklist of ladies’s winter boots.
How We Examined
We examined the Toundra boots within the snowy San Juan Mountains of Colorado. These boots had been primarily used for day hikes in each dry and snowy circumstances. We additionally wore them to the workplace and round city to place additional miles on them.
Fast Specs
Salomon Toundra Professional
Finest Winter Climbing Boot for Traction
CleverHiker Score:
4.5/5.0
Value:
$200
Weight:
1 lb. 4 oz.
Temperature Score:
-40°F
Insulation:
Areotherm Aerogel
Additionally Obtainable In:
Toundra Forces Unisex Boot
Sizing:
True to sizing
Execs
- Distinctive traction on ice
- Heat insulated design
- Safe, confidence inspiring match
- Performs properly in rugged circumstances
Cons
- Feels barely heavy on ft
- Too heat for gentle circumstances
- Not waterproof for lengthy submersions
Weight
The Salomon Toundra Professional boots are related in weight to, or barely heavier than, different hiking-specific boots. A few of this may be attributed to the options it presents, corresponding to taller shaft top and aggressive tread. In line with our scale, the boots weighed 22 ounces, putting them in the midst of our lineup. This was additionally in line with or barely heavier than lots of the different hiking-specific boots we examined, such because the Eager Revel Polar and Oboz Bridger boots.
On the paths, we discovered these boots to really feel a bit heavy on the ft, particularly in drier circumstances. In snowy environments, the load was much less noticeable as a result of uneven terrain and icy surfaces. That stated, mountain climbing in them was a bit extra tiring than with a few of our lighter fashions. We additionally wore these boots for over 8 hours within the workplace and hardly seen the load all through the day.
The takeaway? These boots are barely heavy, which might result in elevated fatigue throughout hikes, even when it’s not instantly obvious. Nonetheless, it’s a small tradeoff for among the different options this boot presents.
Water Resistance
We had been stunned to see the Salomon Toundra boots turn into moist after simply an hour of submersion. Contemplating their sturdy construct and gusseted tongue, we anticipated them to withstand water higher. Nevertheless, throughout our side-by-side take a look at, they merely didn’t maintain up.
We submerged the boots in water as much as the underside of the tongue and weighed them down with a rock. Whereas monitoring, all the pieces appeared regular till we seen water seeping in via the aspect panel. Fortunately, the within of the boot was solely damp as a substitute of soaked, but it surely was sufficient to get our socks moist.
Throughout testing, we tried to seek out alternatives to stroll via puddles with these boots. Fast submersions had been by no means sufficient to soak via, and we had no points with snow whereas mountain climbing. This means that the Toundra boots are appropriate for drier snow and path circumstances, however different boots is likely to be higher for long-term use in moist circumstances climates.
Heat
The Salomon Toundra carried out properly in chilly circumstances and is one in every of our high selections for devoted mountain climbing boots that hold you heat. After we buried these boots in snow for our side-by-side take a look at, we had been impressed to see that they matched the efficiency of the main boots. We used an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature inside and took readings each 5 minutes. The temperatures we recorded had been increased than common in comparison with all the opposite boots we examined.
Within the area, we respect how cozy the fake fur is, which lends a sense of heat. On early-morning hikes on snow and ice in Durango, Colorado, our ft all the time stayed heat in these boots with common mountain climbing socks. Even when plowing via deep powder close to Little Molas Lake, our toes remained heat.
After all, the trade-off is that these boots can really feel a bit too heat throughout shoulder season hikes. We skilled this firsthand with sweaty ft whereas mountain climbing the Log Chutes path system close to Durango. Total, these boots are amongst our high selections for colder circumstances hikes.
Consolation
For consolation, the Salomon Toundra Professional boots function a number of adjustability factors and a taller shaft top, which end in a greater match. Since consolation is very subjective from individual to individual, we centered on customization when evaluating completely different fashions side-by-side. We rated the Toundra boots primarily based on availability in half sizes, detachable insoles, adjustable laces, a return coverage, and fake fur lining.
Sizing, insoles, and laces all permit customers to personalize or modify these boots for a greater match. We additionally discovered that fake fur lining makes the boots really feel cozier and extra snug to put on. The choice to return boots which might be uncomfortable presents the chance to strive them out with out full dedication.
Within the area, we discovered these boots to be comparatively snug to put on. Apart from feeling slightly heavy in some circumstances, we didn’t expertise any foot fatigue or discover any rub spots. The taller shaft reduces the probabilities of rubbing on the aspect of the ankle the place the fibula and tibia bones meet the foot. Total, we like how snug they’re and can hold sporting them in numerous conditions environments.
Traction
The Salomon Toundra Professional boots are one in every of our favorites to be used on ice and different slick surfaces. We’re really impressed with how these boots carried out in each our side-by-side and area checks. After we examined them on our traction system, they stayed on the rock longer than some other boots we tried. This matched our expertise within the area, the place they confirmed glorious traction.
We had been particularly excited to seek out that they gripped pure ice, the sort created by frequent freezing and thawing of snow, so properly that strolling a big canine was simple. We’ve by no means had such an expertise with different boots, and the distinction in grip was noticeable after we wore completely different ones afterward. We’d fortunately suggest these boots to be used in terrain the place traction issues.
Ought to You Purchase the Salomon Toundra Professional Boots?
The Salomon Toundra boots have many glorious options that make them appropriate for extra technical winter hikes. Their heat inside and durable tread make mountain climbing on chilly, icy terrain simpler.
They may really feel a bit heavy on the ft, so though that is much less noticeable within the snow, different boots might be a better option the place distance issues. Equally, they’ll deal with transient submersions in water however should not best for very moist circumstances climates.
What Different Ladies’s Winter Boots Ought to You Think about?
If the Salomon Toundra’s aren’t for you, think about testing these winter mountain climbing boots that we examined for our ladies’s winter boot gear information:
Oboz Bridger 7” Insulated Evaluate: Our best choice for ladies’s winter boots, the Oboz Bridger boots share many advantages with the Toundras. They’re equally weighted and have glorious tread. In addition they supply higher water resistance and adjustability.
Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Evaluate: One other hiking-focused boot, the Merrell Thermo Chill boots function a lighter design with first rate water resistance. In some ways, they’re a much less rugged model of the Toundras.
Eager Revel IV Polar Evaluate: The Eager Revel Polar boots are designed for snow mountain climbing, that includes good tread and gaiter attachments. These are one other nice choice for hikes in drier circumstances climates.
