Hi-Tec Hiking Boots Review: Is it a Good Brand?

Hi-Tec is a well-known brand for sportswear and outdoor shoes. They’ve been in production since the 1970s and have since made a name for themselves by producing outdoor crossover shoes, trail running shoes, and hiking boots.

You may have heard of Hi-Tec’s reputation for low-priced products. Over the years, Hi-Tec has pumped out a ton of different hiking boot models. So yes, if you’re looking for budget-friendly hiking boots, Hi-Tec has options for you.

Hi-Tec produces an enticing product, but we have some qualms with the brand. Check out our full review of Hi-Tec hiking boots to learn more about the product along with our likes and dislikes of the brand.

Products

Hi-Tec Men’s Altitude VI

The Hi-Tec Men’s Altitude V 200 I was specifically designed for cold weather. In our opinion, it is among the best Hi-Tec hiking boots.

This boot is made primarily of 100% leather, with synthetic material accents, and is completely waterproof. The fact that the entire upper is a consistent leather material helps insulate these boots and seal out cold air and water.

On top of the leather, Hi-Tec engineered this boot with its i-Shield hydrophobic technology for added protection against water.

The Altitude V 200 I boot features a sole that is lightweight and supportive. This boot has an EVA midsole that is both compression molded and impact-absorbing. A lightweight shank is built into the boot to provide simultaneous flexibility and stability. Lastly, a rubber multi-directional traction (MDT) outsole with a 1.5-inch heel offers better traction in cold weather conditions.

The shaft on this boot is mid-rise and measures approximately 3.78 inches from the arch to the top of the boot. It provides a good amount of cushion around the ankle. Additionally, the shape of the upper ankle is designed to fit comfortably around your Achilles while walking. The Altitude V 200 I features an OrthoLite sock liner to keep your feet dry and warm.

Overall the Hi-Tec Men’s Altitude V 200 I is a stylish boot. There are some user complaints about the laces giving out rather quickly. However, that is an easy and inexpensive replacement.

Compared to other Hi-Tec boots, the Men’s Altitude V 200 I is a sleek design. The absence of mesh will allow you to go the distance when hiking in cold weather conditions.

It may be of note that this model has been discontinued and replaced by the Altitude VI. This means, the Altitude V 200 boot is only available with select sellers and there are better, more up-to-date options on the market.

Pros

• Leather upper
• MDT sole
• Ghillie lacing system
• Waterproof
• Ortholite sock liner

Cons

• No longer produced

Hi-Tec Women’s Skamania Mid

The Hi-Tec Women’s Skamania boot is a waterproof boot made of 100% Suede and mesh.

The suede material overlays a mesh Dri-Tec waterproof liner, which is a breathable design that protects from water. The mid-rise shaft measures about 5 inches from the arch and is topped with a padded collar for comfort.

Hi-Tec uses a Ghillie lacing system to allow you to cinch up your boots as tight as you want without damaging the boot over time. Plus, the lacing hardware is rustproof. The interior of the boot has a contoured sock liner for comfort and temperature control. And a gusseted tongue keeps rocks and debris from wedging their way into your boot.

The Skamania’s sole construction consists of a molded EVA inner sole, which is comfortable and forms to your foot. The Heel measures approximately 1.5″. An impact-absorbing midsole rests in between layers. And a multi-directional traction rubber outsole keeps you on your feet and protected from punctures.

The Hi-Tec Women’s Skamania runs slightly small. It is recommended that you size up half a size. Hi-Tec no longer makes this style, so there are more up-to-date models available. However, all in all, this boot is built to withstand the rigors of the outdoors.

Pros

• Dri-tech upper
• Rustproof hardware
• Ghillie lacing system
• Waterproof

Cons

• No longer produced

Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera Mid

The Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera boot is very similar to the Women’s Skamania in construction. This style comes in both mid-rise and low-rise options. It is made of a mesh waterproof liner that provides breathability and water resistance. Overtop of the liner is 100% authentic suede.

The boots are nicely accented with nylon cords that provide the structure for the Ghillie lacing system. These cords combined with the triangular lace attachment points make the boot feel nice and snug on your whole foot when cinched up.

The Bandera features a gusseted tongue to keep out small rocks and dirt. And a padded collar adds an extra level of comfort. Hi-Tec added reinforcement to the toe to prevent holes and extend the life of the Bandera.

This boot has a steel shank inside the sole for firm support. The outer sole is made of multi-directional traction rubber suitable for all terrains.

The Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera runs about half a size small, so it is recommended that you size up. Again, this style is no longer in production, which means you may be able to find a better rated Hi-Tec boot.

This boot has mixed reviews. Like every Hi-Tec boot we’ve looked at thus far, the laces seem to give out within a couple of months. Some customers admit problems with the upper eyelet popping off, while others say they would purchase this style again after months of use.

Pros

• Large suede overlay on upper
• MDT sole
• Gusseted tongue
• Waterproof
• Nylon Cords

Cons

• No longer produced

Hi-Tec Men’s Altitude Lite

The Hi-Tec Men’s Altitude Lite i boot has great waterproofing capabilities and an aesthetically pleasing design. The upper is made primarily of waterproof mesh, with a suede overlay. The toe is reinforced with rubberized fabric and the entire boot is coated with Hi-Tec’s i-shield waterproof coating.

The shaft on this mid-rise boot rises about 5 inches from the arch. The collar is sufficiently padded and dips in the back to fit comfortably on your Achilles tendon. The tongue is a gusseted-style tongue to prevent dirt and rocks from getting in while you hike. And the boot laces using a Ghillie lacing system with rustproof hardware.

The heel on the Men’s Altitude Lite i is about 1.5 inches tall. The sole is rubber with multi-directional traction and flex patterns on the bottom. The inner sole is an Ortholite impressions sole that forms to your foot.

The Hi-Tec Men’s Altitude Lite i boot is a great waterproof all-purpose hiking boot. This style is not produced by Hi-Tec anymore. However, upgraded styles of the Altitude are still in production. The fact that the Altitude series is still being produced, even if this model is off the market, proves that this boot is a high-performing product.

Pros

• Rustproof hardware
• MDT sole
• Ghillie lacing system
• Waterproof

Cons

• No longer produced

Hi-Tec Women’s Wn Logan

Hi-Tec’s Women’s Logan boot is a boot made for all-terrain types and all weather conditions.

The Logan’s sole is made up of a molded EVA inner sole. This type of sole is comfortable and forms to your foot. The heel rises 1.5 inches off the ground for support and comfort. An impact-absorbing midsole sits within the layers of the sole. And a multi-directional traction rubber outsole keeps you on your feet no matter what terrain you are hiking on.

The Logan features a Dri-Tec waterproof liner proven to keep your feet dry. A suede overlay provides further protection and aesthetics. This boot has a mid-rise shaft that measures 5 inches from the arch. The collar is sufficiently padded for comfort.

A Ghillie lacing system allows you to cinch up your boots as tight as you want without damaging the boot over time. And all the lacing hardware is rustproof. Inside the boot is an Ortholite sock liner that is designed to cushion your foot comfortably. Lastly, a gusseted tongue keeps rocks and debris from wedging their way into your boot.

The Hi-Tec Women’s Logan runs true to size. Customer reviews claim that this boot is a high-performing product that holds up over time. Unfortunately, Hi-Tec does not produce the Logan series anymore. However, it is still available at a wide variety of retailers.

Pros

• Dri-tech upper
• MDT sole
• Ghillie lacing system
• Waterproof
• EVA inner sole

Cons

• No longer produced

Hi-Tec Men’s Trail Blazer Low

The Hi-Tec Men’s Trail Blazer Low comes in two styles. You can get it as an ankle-high boot or a mid-rise boot. With that being said, the mid-rise version is more of a low, mid-rise, with a shaft of 4.75 inches.

At this point in our Hi-Tec Hiking boots review, we are glad to see some morsel of variation in the Hi-Tec boots. However, the low-rise cut is about as far as Hi-Tec will stray from their well-worn path because everything else about this boot mirrors the others we have reviewed.

The Hi-Tec Men’s Trail Blazer features a mesh upper with Dri-tech technology to keep your feet both dry and ventilated. A suede overlay adds durability and design aesthetic. The toe and heel of this boot are both reinforced with rubberized fabric. The heel also has a reflective strip to keep you visible on the trail.

A gusseted tongue and Ghillie lacing system keep your boots cinched up tight without allowing debris in. The thick rubber sole provides stability and comfort. And the bottom of the sole has rugged, multi-directional traction, so you can hike in any terrain.

The Trail Blazer is another of Hi-Tec’s boots that are no longer in production. However, they can be found with select retailers.

Pros

• Low-ankle style
• Dri-tech upper
• MDT sole
• Ghillie lacing system

Cons

• No longer produced

Hi-Tec Ravus Vent Mid

The Ravus Vent comes in both men’s and women’s models and low-rise or mid-rise. One benefit of this model is that it is still produced by Hi-Tec today. Now that we’ve got one of the most up-to-date Hi-Tec styles, let’s take a look at what it has to offer. Spoiler alert: it’s nothing we haven’t seen before.

The Ravus Vent has a mesh underlay with Dri-tech technology for waterproofing and breathability, with a suede overlay. This is a mid-rise boot with a shaft that rises 6 inches from the arch.

This boot features a Ghillie lacing system with nylon loops and a pair of rust-proof eyelets at the top. The tongue is a gusseted-style tongue. And the toe and heel are both reinforced with rubberized material.

The inner sole is a removable EVA sole that molds to your foot for comfort. The midsole is a compression-molded EVA sole. And the outer sole is rubber with multi-directional traction. This allows you to hike uphill and downhill on any terrain.

The Hi-Tec Ravus Vent weighs about 1 pound and 5 ounces per boot, give or take depending on size. The sizing of this style is running true to size.

Pros

• Waterproof
• Ghillie lacing system
• Dri-tech technology
• EVA sole
• Still produced by Hi-Tec

Cons

• Similar to most Hi-Tec boots

Hi-Tec Men’s Ridge

Hi-Tec brings us another low-ankle boot with the Hi-Tec Men’s Ridge. The Ridge was designed for high-stress use. It offers a synthetic mesh underlay topped with a suede leather overlay. The overlay covers much of the upper to increase durability. To take that durability up another notch, Hi-Tec has reinforced the toe and heel with rubberized material.

This boot features Dri-tech technology to ensure that it is completely waterproof. The gusseted tongue prevents rocks and dirt from making their way in through the tongue. This boot also has a Ghillie lacing system. The Ridge uses nylon loops in the lacing system rather than metal, which will hold up better over time because it isn’t subject to breaks or corrosion.

The low-ankle cut allows you more flexibility when hiking. With your ankle free you have the mobility to move freely through the terrain you are hiking on. And you’ll have the freedom to wear these boots on even the smallest outdoor adventures.

The Hi-Tec Men’s Ridge boots weigh about 3 pounds in total, depending on size. Customers report that this boot runs large.

The Ridge boots were released in May 2019, however, they are no longer produced by Hi-Tec. They are available with other outdoor retailers. If you prefer to purchase directly from the company, the closest style Hi-Tec currently produces is the Ravus Vent Low.

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Pros

• Designed for high-stress use
• Suede and mesh upper
• Reinforced toe and heel
• Ghillie lacing system
• Low-rise option

Cons

• No longer in production

Is It A Good Brand?

About Hi-Tec

Hi-Tec was founded in England in 1974 when they released their first product, a squash shoe. Shortly after, the brand established itself in the USA with the introduction of the Sierra shoe, which was marketed as a lightweight sports shoe for the outdoors. Then in the 1990s, Hi-Tec gained a lot of fame as it was named the official shoe of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

Hi-Tec has continued launching new technologies and new products ever since. They consider themselves leaders in outdoor crossover shoes for comfortable everyday use and outdoor adventures.

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Mission

Hi-Tec’s mission is “to get the world outside.” Their promise is to deliver comfort with versatility, lasting quality, and innovative technology.

Technologies

Hi-Tec has developed several of their own technologies to increase the quality of their hiking boots. Here are the common Hi-Tec Technologies found in the boots we reviewed.

Dri-Tec Waterproof – Dri-Tec Waterproof is found in almost every Hi-Tec boot. This technology is a mesh-like membrane that is both breathable and completely waterproof.

i-shield – i-shield was created for protection from water and dirt. This technology is an invisible coating that repels dirt and water. This allows you to have clean and dry feet when you remove your boots after a hike.

Ortholite Impressions – Ortholite Impressions is a sole technology designed to offer added comfort. This type of sole is breathable and molds to your foot to achieve a customized fit.

M-D Traction – Every sole on Hi-Tec boots is a rubber multi-directional traction sole. M-D Traction is a technology designed by Hi-Tec to increase the grip on your boots. Similar to the tread of an all-weather tire, MDT soles have treads facing all directions, so you can hike on any terrain.

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What We Did Like About Hi-Tec Boots

Hi-Tec has a wide variety of boots and other products available on Amazon Prime. Plus, you can often find older models (like many in this review) for a lower price. With Prime shipping, you only have to wait for one to two days to receive your order, rather than the five to seven days that it would take if you purchased from a retailer’s website.

The vast majority of Hi-Tec boots currently available are low-price compared to other brands, such as North Face, Merrell, and Teva. Some can even be found in the $40 range. With that being said, the newer Hi-Tec models are priced closer to $100, which is comparable to competitors.

Hi-Tec offers both men’s and women’s models. They design boots in each category to achieve the best anatomical fit. They have a good variety of color options for women’s boots, so whether you like bright colors or neutrals, you can find a boot that fits your foot and your style.

Their waterproofing technology has a bulletproof reputation. Although some customer complaints are circling the web about the waning quality of Hi-Tec boots, their waterproof technology is rock solid. There are only a minuscule amount of reports about water getting into the boots. We’ll give Hi-Tec the benefit of the doubt and chalk those up to user error on this one.

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What We Didn’t Like About Hi-Tec Boots

While they may have been renowned for tennis shoes and outdoor crossover shoes. Their hiking boots are lacking.

After reviewing eight pairs of Hi-Tec hiking boots, both old and new, it became clear that every boot produced by Hi-Tec is essentially the same, with identical specs and features. They use the same materials, technology, and design aesthetics to create different combinations of the same boot essentially.

Hi-Tec does not seem to keep their styles in production long. Whether that is a marketing strategy or a testament to poor customer satisfaction, it is unclear. This may be unfortunate to some who find a lifetime favorite in one of Hi-Tec’s boots. Although, no need to worry since each new model of hiking boot is almost identical to the last.

Hi-Tec may be widely known for their budget-friendly hiking boots, but unlike their mission statement claims, they are no leader for high-quality boots. Throughout our research on eight different Hi-Tec boots, we crossed many customer complaints about poor stitching, weak laces, and faulty lacing eyelets.

Lastly, you can’t actually purchase any products directly from Hi-Tec’s website, whether it’s still in production or not. So say you researched and finally found the Hi-Tec boot you want, now you’ve got to go on a wild goose chase to find it amongst one of their 9,000 retailers worldwide.

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Conclusion

Does Hi-Tec produce noteworthy hiking boots? Yes, Hi-Tec’s boots can be a great fit for many hikers. The brand certainly does have its own pool of lifers, who have converted to purchasing Hi-Tec boots time and again.

However, compared to the market leaders, Hi-Tec’s boots are not up to par. Their quality is not the highest, their designs are not diverse enough, and their technology is not evolving.

We would only recommend this brand to people looking for a low-priced boot with the caveat, you get what you pay for.