Admittedly, I am a tennis shoes hiking-type of gal. That said, I am open-minded enough to try new gear which may change up my standard operating procedures. Garmont reached out to try the Garmont Toubkal GTX hiking boots, and I decided to give it a go and see if they can change my ways.
The Boot
The Garmont Toubkal GTX is a higher boot, which hits a little above the ankle. It features an asymmetrical cuff, tongue and differential ankle pads for stability and comfort, a roomy toe box, precision lacing, double damper technology for shock absorption, a heel lock to avoid friction, a Gore-Tex waterproof upper, and a piece of rubber around most of the foot to protect the toes if encountering rocks. The tread is nice and chunky, and the soles are wide to help with traction on tough, rocky terrain.
Pros
Stability
To give these boots a true test, I decided to wear them on a hike that would test their stability and grip – 1100 ft straight down and ,1100 ft straight up with plenty of rocks and roots to traverse along the way. Although I wear tennis shoes a lot, the one downside to that is that I have weak ankles. Having damaged my ligaments as a child, and having many subsequent sprains throughout my life, my shaky ankles don´t always do well with descents and rocks. I was very pleased with the Garmont Toubkal GTX’s ankle support that the differential pads and overall design provide. Even when going down rocky descents, I didn’t feel my ankles would roll like they often do. Theses boots live up to their stability promise.
Fit
I have a very odd-shaped foot, a skinny heel and a much wider ball of my foot. The large toe box was sufficiently ample, and I had no pressure on my toe area, as I so often do. These boots run true to size (I usually wear a size 9) but I decided to go up a half-size to account for swelling. I had absolutely no fit issues. You can trust that your size will fit you with these boots.
Durability
I enjoyed the toe protection offered by the rubber wrap around the shoe. It was perfect to avoid stubbing a toe on rocks and roots. It very much reminds me of a rock-climbing shoe. If you do tough climbs with lots of rocks and debris, the Garmont Toubkal GTX boot as the protection you need.
Tread
The Garmont Toubkal GTX had great grip. Even going down a steep descent, I wasn’t sliding, and my feet stood firm. These boots would be great for rough terrain and even loose surfaces.
What Could Be Better
Temperature
I took these boots out on a hot summer day. While they do have breathability, for me, they were much warmer than tennis shoes. I think this “con” is a matter of preference. Perhaps this wouldn’t be something that bothers someone else. However, I am looking forward to getting these out on hikes in cooler months.
Waterproofing
Don’t get me wrong, waterproofability on a rainy day and in shallow water is a fantastic feature. However, on some hikes I have completed, I am in well-above ankle-deep water. Those adventures always make me question using waterproof boots. As soon as you get in deeper water, your boots will flood, and the water is trapped. I love tennis shoes since they dry quickly and the water has a way to escape. In these boots, I would worry about getting trench foot if wearing them too long when wet. However, if you are a hiker that doesn’t march through water frequently, (like those of us in the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’), this may not be a concern for you.
Overall Impression
In general, I was thoroughly impressed by the stability, comfort, and resilience of these boots. I love how wide the toe box is, as well as the toe protection when I run into rocks and tree roots. I didn’t think I would imagine hiking in the Garmont Toubkal GTX again after reviewing them, but it looks like I am going to have to line up some fall hikes to continue breaking these in, and I am looking forward to it.
