While I’ll always recommend using the best footwear for your intended activity, there’s something to be said about a pair of boots that can take you from work, to the trail, to the town in just a few hour’s time. Justin’s Dark Mountain boots are one of the few that are able to do just that with ease. Originally listed at $124.95, Justin has lowered the price of these American-made boots to just $99.95 on their company website and are practically begging people to snatch them up. If that has you interested, read on and make your decision quick, because the Dark Mountain Boots are being discontinued; Select sizes remain and once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
I came across the Dark Mountain boots through Sportsman’s Guide about two years ago and jumped at the opportunity to pick up a pair of boots from the renown manufacturer. What initially caught my eye was the traditional styling instead of the sneaker-like appearance that is so common today. It seems every pair of boots has rubber-capped toes, brightly colored logos, or are stitched out of twelve different space-age materials that you’ll need a bank loan to afford. Justin chose to shun that approach and make an active boot that has the same qualities that made your grandma swoon over John Wayne: they’re handsome, but rugged.
The Dark Mountain boots sport an 8-inch rise, brass hooks and eyelets, and a Goodyear welt that joins the nubuck leather exterior to a hard rubber sole. The upper and lower sections of the boot are joined by a triple-stitched seam and are tied tight with 60-inch laces that won’t rip or fray. When walking the heel of the hard rubber sole meets the ground with a satisfying thud that will let people know that you’re on your way.
The inside of the boot meets the same high standards with Justin’s Ultrathotic comfort inserts and remains breathable by omitting an interior liner all together. The absence of a liner eliminates bulk up the shaft and cuts down on weight significantly. The issue of wet feet is easily resolved by using a quality waterproofing product such as Nikwax or Kiwi Boot Protector (which you should be using on all of your leather footwear that are not pre-treated).
The Dark Mountain boots are not purpose-built for the great outdoors, but they rise to the occasion in style. I laced them up for a five mile hike in the Southern California hills and was pleasantly surprised with how they performed. The 8-inch height kept brush and dust out of my boots while providing protection against the prickles of cacti. It’s been said that the additional layer of leather around the ankle may prevent a snakes fangs from penetrating through to the leg, but that hasn’t been proven as far as I know. A full-height leather boot will always be heavier than an ankle-height hiking boot, but when compared to other traditionally styled work boots I found the Dark Mountain boots lighter and much more breathable. If work takes you off the beaten path the Dark Mountain boots will keep the spring in your step.
The most significant shortcoming of these boots is the lack of an aggressive tread pattern to give the traction needed for exceptionally rough terrain. Walking on packed soil or in thick underbrush is no issue at all, but mud or lose earth quickly becomes dangerous. When coming down a scree covered slope I found each step would slide forward and throw me off balance to the point that it would be very easy to take a tumble.
Despite the functional limitations, there’s no denying that there is a market for attractive, trail-to-town boots for the weekend warrior. I’ve worn the Dark Mountain boots on the job site, on the trail, and on the town and have been happy enough every time. There’s something to be said about that.
Check them out and keep you boots wet.
Wet Boots, Worn Packs, and Other Wonderful Things 