For 2013, Hi-Tec is ushering in the tropical storm season a little early with the introduction of the Hurricane and Hurricane Mid WP hiking shoes. Many fame the Hurricane as the embodiment of nature’s power or acts of divine wrath. The word “hurricane” itself actually derives from “Hurakan,” a destructive Mayan god. In the same way, think of Hi-Tec’s Waterproof Hurricane as a monster on the trail.
On Performance and Design…
Unlike Mother Nature’s tropical storms, hiking boots don’t gain intensity in wet conditions. So the Hi-Tec design team gave the Hurricane a durable combination of suede, textile, and mesh all made waterproof to keep moisture from ever gaining a weight-adding foothold on your boot. So whether our team member was trekking through sloppy wet conditions, or found themselves caught in downpour, the Hurricane Mid Waterproof boot proved to be up to the task.
When it comes to Nature’s fiercest storms, the eye is the calmest part of the Hurricane. Along those lines, if you consider the insole the center of a hiking shoe, then Hi-Tec’s Hurricane ensures a calm, serene experience on the trail courtesy of an Ortholite insert. The Ortholite insert is one feature that sets the Hurricane apart from similar light hikers you’ll see on the shelves for Spring 2013. The insert ensures a comfortable ride for your feet from the the moment you take the shoes out of the box and onto the trail.
But there’s more to the Ortholite insert then “added comfort”. The unique open cell structure of OrthoLite creates a moisture management system inside the shoe by moving moisture away from the foot leaving feet drier. That means less chance of blistering, and greater comfort over the course of extended miles on the trail.
More likely you won’t find yourself hiking through any tropical storm, but since you never know what the melting snow will reveal underfoot, rely upon the Vibram outsole to grip and grab every obstacle that comes your way. Hi-Tec also added in a durable toe rand to fend off trail riff raff and lend extra protection to your toes. Over the course of testing, our team was left with little doubt that these shoes will provide steady and trustworthy traction for traversing mile after mile of long winding trails.
A rounded heel counter and gentle upturn at the nose of the boot not only de-emphasize the heel strike, but aide a more natural motion with each step. It’s a small but thoughtful detail you may not appreciate out of the box, but our team loved with every step of every mile. Hike a few miles in the Hurricane and you’ll wonder why the rounded heel counter hasn’t become a standard feature for more hiking boots.
The Critique…
We recognize that finding the right fit in a hiking shoes can be a highly subjective exercise. Every outdoor enthusiasts has their own preference in terms of fit, style, and height. While our tester had no fit issues with the newest addition to the Hi-Tec line-up, there were two worth mentioning. First, consumers will want to try on the mid-cut version of the Hurricane prior to purchase to ensure that the topline of the cuff fits them in a comfortable fashion and doesn’t ride too low on the ankle. Secondly, we’d like to see a tad more width across the ball of the foot. The Hurricane is by no means narrow however, those with a wide foot may find themselves wishing for slightly more room in the front end.
Bottom Line…
Whether you’re out for a short evening stroll along local fire trails, or out to reclaim the miles of trail that winter locked away, the Hurricane Mid WP Hiking Boots offers tremendous traction, comfort and support without weighing you down.
*Gumption Gear Review received the product samples featured in this review from Hi-Tec USA. The item featured was provided solely in exchange for testing the products and providing our honest views and opinions. We received no other form of compensation for this or any related review.