Hi-Tech boots, whats your take?

Kermit

Kermit

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I was looking in the usual suspect stores for a pair of good, light and waterproof boots and found Hi-Tech had moved away from making sub standard tennis shoes and were offering affordable walking boots. They were asking at least 25% less than the big brands such as North Face, Merrel, Miendl after the sales reductions and it appears they saved resource cost on the steel toe cap and passed on the savings onto the consumer.

If you own a pair of mid or high price range Hi-Tech's I would love to read your experiences with them.
 
No experience with Hi Tecs, but have read a fair bit about them when their Ion Mask waterproofing technology was introduced.

Much of the Hi Tec range now uses this. Early examples of their boots using this were very hit and miss, with many users reporting leaking boots after a couple of trips.

If water proofing is important to you, I would avoid the ion mask boots until the technology matures a bit more.
 
I got a pair on sale for $60 that I am very happy with. I have not tested their waterproofing, but have worn them for close to a year as work boots. They have held up well and have been very comfortable- to the point I wear them on weekends sometimes, too. Great value. Sorry, there is nothing on them saying what model they are.
 
My dad has a pair of Hi-tech boots, they seem to be OK as hiking or walking boots. I did notice in the last few pics he has sent me from walking trips back home that he had gone back to wearing the Crispie walking boots he has used for years before he got the Hi-techs though.

I have personally worn a set of Hanwag boots for the last few years and could not be happier with them. They do cost a fair bit more than the Hi-techs though. :p
 
i got a pair of hi top hi tec leather boots that were on sale because i needed cheap hi-tops...i was skeptical of overall quality because of low price and the "unfashionable" brand...however, the boots worked out great; my feet suffered no ill effects on moderate use hiking/fishing the sierras...the boots were classed as water-resistant; short dunks in streams confirmed this...boots showing no quality deterioration that i can see so far...

the buy turned out to be outstanding, so much that i have purchased another pair (on sale of course) of Hi-Tec's: ankle high waterproof hiking boots...i have not used them yet, but i'm confident they will be good performers.

i have no opinion on durability when used everyday; i am only using mine in specific situations...

if i was hardcore, probably i spend the $$$ on a top brand model, because durability on performance would be #1 priority. i suspect Hi-Tec's could hold their own; someone else would have to comment on that as i haven't used them that long or hard.

final thoughts...good choice for the occasional hiker...best performance/value for the money...
 
I wear a pair of Hi-Tech Altitude boots almost daily. Got my first pair (Altitude II) in July of 2004 and they lasted me about 4 years. Got a second pair in 2006 (Altitude first gen on closeout) as a backup that I started using in late 2008. When my first Gen Altitudes wear out, I'll probably get a pair of the current generation. Before getting the Altitudes, I had gotten a pair of Hi-Tech's back in 2000 that lasted 2 years (they didn't like me walking through brush fires and controlled burns :o). Great water proofing on all the High-Tech's I ever had. They make a good Light hiker IMO.

Heber
 
I have had a pair of Hi-Tech Latitude boots for 3 years,they don't get worn every day,but have lasted pretty well.All I did was swap the crappy insoles for a pair of Superfeet( which cost more than the boots).You get what you pay for,these are comfortable and grippy,but do not compare to my Zamberlans,Danners or Chameaus-nevertheless they are good value.
 
I bought these ones today.
46869_V-Lite-Altitude-Ultra-WPi_section.jpeg
The Nanotech thing seems like a good idea put to use, when or if the treatment runs out of life (have yet to research this) the leathers can be treated as usual with water proofing agents.

I may get around to producing a review of them in a few weeks time but ideally I want to hold out till the weather starts getting proper foul again before I put them on.
 
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Haven't bought any recently, but I have a pair that I've been wearing for about 5 years that are excellent. Go them on sale for about $50.00 No complaints.
 
I wear Altitude IVs every day for my street shoes,very comfortable with a lot of cushion.I love em.I've had them for about 4 years now,& the laces are finally wearing out.And I wear a pair of Waupaca WPs for camping & light hiking.Love them too.
 
I bought 2 pr of the 5.11 ATAC six inch boots about two months ago for everyday wear, I needed to get "high tops" for ankle support.....I am really happy with them so far...I think they are marketed towards the law enforcement field...not sure if they are totally waterproof though
 
I've owned two pairs of Hi-techs and found they were a better value than my last pair of Timberlands. The best bang for the buck were the Cape Trails by hi-tech. I wore them for just over 2 years straight (I usually only get one year out of a pair of boots). Mostly Landscape contractor type work as well as hiking/camping. I'm very hard on a pair of boots and find Hi-tech's mid priced offerings are a great compromise of comfort, durability and price.
 
I blow through a pair oh HI-Techs in about 2-3 months. Although I do have flat feet and I am harder on my boots than most people. They are good for the money. It has been a few years since I haveworn a pair so quality may have improved.
 
I think you will be happy with your purchase. I bought some mid-weight Hi-Tec hikers several years ago, and have been nothing short of happy with them. I've hiked a few hundred miles in them over the years and they have been great. The waterproofing has been tested time and again, and has yet to let me down. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up!!:thumbup::thumbup:

I am however, in the market for a new pair as these are pretty well worn out now!
 
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