Few companies can match Danner’s distinct design terminology when it comes to footwear, especially when it comes to utilitarian silhouettes. But if there was one outfit that could, it would be Seattle, Washington’s Filson. As luck would have it, the two are, once again, utilizing their heritage-focused experience to create one of the genre’s most capable boots — an attractive leather peripheral dubbed the Combat Hiker.
Calling upon a silhouette that was once issued to U.S. troops for use in sandy overseas locales and throughout numerous types of mountainous terrain, the Combat Hiker was built to employ a suite of ruggedized materials to keep it both functional and formidable. Alongside its smooth-surfaced leather exterior, a protective-rubber rand, Vibram Bifida outsole, and GORE-TEX lining provide wearers with a purpose-built option for those soggy days on the trail, while also protecting the shoe from cuts, abrasion, and water penetration. Each example boasts a durable leather construction that was built exclusively for Filson, and with an overall weight closing in on four pounds each, the $340 Combat Hiker straddles the line between a mil-approved staple and everyday traversal boot. Head to Filson’s website to pick up a pair of your own.
