The Hiking Boots You Should Absolutely, Positively Wear Off the Mountain
SHOP $345, seasonthree.com
Welcome to The Esquire Endorsement. Heavily researched. Thoroughly vetted. These picks are the best way to spend your hard-earned cash.
Remember when lockdown started and suddenly everyone got really into hiking? Like, your friends whose regular exercise previously consisted of the walk to and from the bar for the daily shot-and-a-beer special were miraculously transformed into sure-footed mountaineers who knew about trailheads and elevation changes and washouts and shit? No? Just me? I'm certain it's not just me. But even if it is, I think everything you've read up until this point probably serves as a pretty solid indication that my knowledge of the hiking arts is...limited.
Don't get me wrong: I love getting out into nature as much as the next guy, but I'm a dabbler. I hike, but I don't hike. Mostly, I walk. And yet, over the last few months, I've found myself working a pair of hiking boots into my regular footwear rotation. Turns out the right pair—in this case, the Ansel by the newcomers at direct-to-consumer brand Season Three—works just as well on the sidewalk as it does on the mountain. Even better, perhaps. Go figure.
They look the part.
Here's what I mean when I say Season Three's Ansel boots have exactly the right kind of vibe, visually speaking: They look like hiking boots—they are hiking boots—but they aren't of the sort preferred, generally, by serious hikers nowadays. By which I mean they don't look too technical. In fact, they're a bit of a throwback, the kind of refined alpine style you might expect to see in a mid-century chalet in a black-and-white movie populated by trans-continental stereotypes. "Classic," in a word. Wear 'em like you'd wear any other pair of dressy-ish leather boots—with jeans or cuffed trousers, and a chore coat or even a sport coat if you're feeling a little fancy—and you're golden.
SHOP $345, seasonthree.com
They walk the walk.
If you do find yourself unexpectedly taking to the trails in these boots—I'm not sure exactly how this would happen, but it doesn't seem entirely inconceivable that a surprise hike might happen under some fortuitous circumstances—you're still in good shape. Though the Ansel's natural habitat is arguably off the mountain, it's built sturdily enough, with a lightweight but substantial Vibram sole and a waterproof upper, that you could put in a good couple miles of physical exertion without putting yourself on unstable footing. Would I make a habit of it? Nah. But in a pinch, you'll be just fine.
When it comes to quality, they're the real deal.
As with so many direct-to-consumer offerings, the Ansel's value proposition lies in getting more for your money than you might be used to. It's made in Italy, so you know the construction is on point. The uppers—in either leather, nubuck, or hairy suede—are soft and pliable, molding to your foot while still providing the necessary support. A merino wool lining is both sustainable and extremely cozy. And an Ortholite insole—plus additional inserts to help tune in the perfect fit—makes for a smooth and comfortable ride. If you were buying them in a store, these boots would cost a whole lot more. But you're not. Lucky you.
SHOP $345, seasonthree.com
Photography and prop styling by Ben Alsop
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