It was a soggy weekend on the Larch Mountain trail outside Portland, the kind where the clouds never quite commit to raining but the trail stays perpetually soaked from the night before. My usual boots were still damp from the previous week's outing, and I'd been eyeing a budget-friendly pair to rotate in. That's how I ended up pulling the NORTIV 8 Men's Waterproof Hiking Boots out of a box and lacing them up for the first real test.
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If you're a weight-conscious hiker on a tighter budget, you know the drill: the good stuff costs serious money, and everything else is a gamble. These boots from NORTIV 8 landed squarely in "let's see" territory for me. Here's what I found out after several muddy, wet, occasionally miserable miles.
How it stacks up
NORTIV 8 markets these as a mid-cut waterproof boot with a waterproof membrane construction, a rugged rubber outsole with multi-directional traction (MDT), suede leather upper, a rubber toe cap, and a reinforced heel. They also include a flexible, removable insole sitting on top of a shock-absorbent MD midsole. That's a solid feature list on paper.
Compared to mid-range boots from more established names, the NORTIV 8s don't come with a published weight spec, which honestly bugs me a little. Weight matters when you're grinding out miles. I can tell you they feel reasonably light for a mid-cut leather-and-suede boot, but I can't give you a gram count because NORTIV 8 doesn't list one, and I'm not going to make up numbers. Same goes for price, which fluctuates on Amazon, so check the current listing before budgeting.
The mid-cut design gives you ankle support without going full mountaineering-boot stiff. That's a trade-off I appreciate on day hikes with a moderate pack, though it's not the right call if you're scrambling technical terrain with a heavy load.
On the trail / in use
First impressions out of the box: the suede leather feels durable and the stitching looks clean. Lacing up is straightforward, and the fit around my size 11 foot felt true to size with a little room for thick wool socks, which is exactly what I want in a boot I'll wear in cold, wet conditions.
On wet leaf litter and muddy switchbacks, the MDT outsole performed well. I didn't slip once on the kind of slick mud that's sent me into embarrassing slow-motion slides before, and the rubber toe cap took a couple of rock kicks without any drama. The reinforced heel kept my foot from sliding around inside on descents, which matters a lot to my knees.
The waterproofing held up through standing puddles and repeated wet brush contact. My socks stayed dry. That's the baseline requirement for any boot I'd recommend in the PNW, and these passed it on the days I tested them.
Here's my honest criticism, though: the removable insole is underwhelming. It's thin, it compresses quickly, and after a full day on the trail my arches were starting to feel it. I swapped in a pair of aftermarket insoles I already owned and the comfort improved noticeably. If you've got wide feet or high arches, plan on that upgrade from day one and factor it into your budget.
Break-in time is real with these. The first four or five miles had some stiffness and minor heel rubbing. Wear them around the house and on shorter walks before you commit to a long day out.
What I actually liked
The rubber toe cap is genuinely useful. I hike with a bad habit of kicking rocks when I'm tired, and I've dinged up plenty of boots that way. The NORTIV 8's toe protection took the abuse without showing much wear.
The outsole grip surprised me. I expected mediocre traction from a budget boot and got better-than-expected performance on wet rock and packed dirt. Not crampon territory, obviously, but solid for general trail hiking.
The suede upper has held its shape and isn't showing worrying wear after regular use. I'd treat it with a water-resistant spray anyway, which I'd recommend for any suede boot regardless of the built-in membrane, especially if you're hiking in persistent Pacific Northwest drizzle.
And look, the versatility argument NORTIV 8 makes isn't wrong. These aren't a dedicated technical mountaineering boot, but for day hiking, car camping, light backpacking, and general outdoor use, they cover the ground most of us actually cover.
If you're ready to give them a shot, check the current price and availability on Amazon and see if it makes sense for your budget. For a rotating pair or a first serious hiking boot, they're worth a look.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Waterproofing held up in wet PNW conditions | Stock insole is thin and compresses fast |
| MDT outsole grips well on mud and wet rock | Requires a real break-in period |
| Rubber toe cap handles trail abuse | Weight spec not published by manufacturer |
| Reinforced heel adds stability on descents | Not suited for heavy technical terrain |
| True to size with room for thick socks | Price fluctuates, so check before you buy |
I wouldn't call these my go-to for a five-day backcountry push, but as a budget-friendly, waterproof mid-cut for day hiking and weekend trips, they've earned their spot in my rotation. Swap the insoles, break them in properly, and treat the suede, and you'll get solid mileage out of them. If that sounds like your situation, they're a reasonable bet., Dave