This chunky fashion-forward mid-top boot offers a blend of waterproofing, durability and mileage, says seasoned hiker Mark Bailey.
Jack Wolfskin sounds like the name of a macho American cowboy, but it’s actually a German brand (the name is inspired by the free-spirited wolves in Jack London’s classic adventure novel The Call of the Wild). The company prides itself on its German engineering and there’s plenty of innovation in its Terraquest Texapore mid-cut boots. These ox-strong boots feature abrasion-resistant fabrics and an elite waterproof liner, making them some of the best hiking boots for men. The result is a muscular boot that performs well outdoors and looks stylishly robust in the pub afterwards. If this boot were a man, he’d wear a check shirt and know how to knock up a log cabin.
Men’s Fitness verdict
A burly boot which overcomes its beefy weight to deliver a reliably strong, stable and element-proof ride.- Lush nubuck leather upper
- Eco-friendly Vibram Ecostep outsole
- A pair of size 8 boots weigh a beefy 1.14kg / 2.5lb
- Some initial stiffness around the ankle
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Jack Wolfskin Terraquest Texapore Mid design and build
On first glance, the Jack Wolfskin Terraquest Texapore Mid (buy now) is a military-style boot with street-style credentials. My pair was Jet Black, but these also come in Bear Brown and Gecko Green. Holding the boot, you can instantly sense its brawny build, with that hardy nubuck leather upper reinforced by Cordura ballistic fabric – a tightly-woven nylon originally developed for use in military body armour.
This is a muscular boot, with a single size 8 weighing 570g / 1.3lb, so it packs serious bulk. The brand rates this boot ‘A/B’, which means long day or multi-day hikes in sub-alpine regions and routes up to the tree line.
Jack Wolfskin Terraquest Texapore Mid performance
As an unapologetically robust product, this boot had some initial stiffness around the well-supported ankle area, but after a few weeks the boot relaxed and served up a smooth, supportive and solid tread. You feel almost recklessly confident in any terrain, thanks to the outstanding stability and protection.
The boot has a seriously stout sole. To see just how chunky, try wearing one boot and observe the height difference against your unbooted foot. It means you won’t get troubled by rocky terrain. But the surprisingly pronounced rocker sole makes these boots more agile and propulsive than they appear.
Nevertheless, this is a heavy boot, at 1.14kg / 2.5lb for a pair in size 8. That’s almost 200g / 7oz heavier than the North Face Vectiv Fastpack Insulated Futurelight I reviewed, which are a full high-top design packed with winter insulation. I know many hikers who like – in fact, need – a robust feel, but I definitely prefer a nimbler boot. But the flip side of that weight issue is that these should be a solid long-term investment, with excellent abrasion- and tear-resistance.
All in all, the boot feels reassuringly solid, and the Vibram sole is trustworthy underfoot. The boot offers excellent protection against rain, thanks to the brand’s own Texapore Ecosphere Pro waterproof membrane – that’s the brand’s premium fabric, with a waterproof rating of 20,000mm, which essentially means it can handle any storm. On a spring hike of 17°C, the boot inevitably got hot and prickly, so keep it in hibernation until autumn/winter.
I suspect this is a fashion-conscious boot, with one eye on the casual hiker wanting a visibly brawny boot. But with its premium materials and protective layers, this is still a high-performance boot at heart.
Jack Wolfskin Terraquest Texapore Mid features
Its waterproof membrane is made from recycled materials and the Vibram outsole from 90% natural ingredients. The treatment that’s applied to the upper to aid water beading is free of toxic chemicals, and even the zinc lace hooks are recycled. Jack Wolfskin takes this stuff more seriously than most brands – and it shows.
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