Timberland White Ledge Mid Waterproof Review

If a simple, waterproof leather boot with a high-ankle design, average support, and reasonable comfort is what you seek, the Timberland White Ledge Mid Waterproof will do the job. Its classic styling, including metal hardware for lacing and a tall, well-padded ankle cuff, won't necessarily stand out from the crowd for its performance. Still, it may catch the eye of budget-conscious shoppers needing a functional option for basic day hikes, occasional backpacking, or days on a job site.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Despite this being a full-leather upper hiking boot, we found it easy to slip these on and immediately start hiking. The leather is soft and well-conditioned, so there is a minimal break-in period. The wide and durable laces are run through metal lacing eyelets, so it is easy to get a snug and secure fit, as long as you have a medium or high-volume foot. We tested the medium-width model and found that it fit well in the forefoot and toe box but had a lot of room in the heel pocket. The White Ledge Mid boot uses an innovative ReBOTL recycled material in this boot's fabric lining. It is comfortable enough that you'd never know it was made from old plastic bottles!

While the ankle cuff is generously padded with this fabric lining, it does feel tight and constricting around the ankle when laced up. Since the heel area below is too roomy, we found that this bulky padding negatively impacted the boot's comfort. The bulk may pack out over time, but initially, it is way too tight around the ankle.

Support

The White Ledge boots have a forefoot width of 4.5 inches, giving them reliable resistance to keep you from rolling side to side in uneven terrain. The medium fit width we tested gives a pretty snug fit, keeping our foot from sloshing around, though the heel area is relatively wide, making it hard to get a secure fit overall. The 6.5" ankle cuff height, as measured from the bottom of the sole to the top of the ankle cuff, is enough to isolate and support the ankle. However, most of that support and stability is derived from the padded fabric cuff, and the lower ankle feels sloppy and insecure. We were also surprised that it was quite easy to feel rocks and roots through the fairly soft midsole of these boots, making them a better fit for hikes on smoother and maintained trails.

Traction

We tested the Timberland White Ledge boots in the dry and dusty Sierra Nevada mountains, in the snow, and in the wet, mucky trails of the Pacific Northwest. The outsole, made of a proprietary Timberland rubber compound, features directional 4mm lugs in the forefoot and bi-directional lugs in the heel area. We found these boots to offer decent traction in wet and muddy conditions and average traction in dry or loose conditions. This impact on performance is due to the stiffness of the boot's sole, as well as the depth and spacing of the lugs. The best performance these boots offered was on packed dirt trail conditions.

Water Resistance

The White Ledge Mid boots use a full leather upper to keep feet dry. This leather has been treated and conditioned to repel water rather than using a waterproof/breathable membrane behind the upper materials. The leather does a good job at keeping water out, though it will require maintenance using a leather conditioner or waterproofing treatment to keep it performing. The biggest limitation to not using a membrane is that the upper's stitching creates the chink in its armor. These will be fine for sloshing through the odd stream, though in prolonged submersions, they begin to allow water in via the seams and the tongue gusset.

Weight

We checked the weight of the White Ledge boots on our scale, verifying their 2.34 lbs weight in a men's size 11 US. This is a pretty good weight for a boot of this type, and it is quite a bit lighter than some of the burlier leather boots we have tested.

Durability

While the White Ledge boots are made of leather, they are not indestructible. We noticed scuffing and scratching of the thinner leather and the sole beginning to delaminate from the upper. Others have noted cracking of the leather and seams falling apart. While we did not experience those issues firsthand, it should be noted that with heavy use or improper care, these might not be the longest-lasting boots.

Should You Buy the Timberland White Ledge Mid Waterproof?

This inexpensive, all-leather hiking boot is a good entry-level boot for those who will be going hiking every so often and don't want to break the bank to get a pair of boots. For those who plan on wearing them much more frequently, spending a bit more to get a more durable and comfortable boot may be a better option.

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?