Patagonia’s Brawny Outdoor Boots Grant Great Grip on the Slipperiest of Surfaces

If you’re angling for some new do-it-all adventure footwear, this under-the-radar release should help you hit your stride.

Gray and tan Patagonia hiking boot with mesh and suede upper and rubber sole.Patagonia

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At this point, Patagonia (yes, the outdoor giant) could win awards for underestimating its own gear. For instance, the brand launched a fishing bag last year that turned into an EDC travel darling overnight. Similarly, the brand has dropped a snow jacket that was sneakily superb for city-going, and aprés surf pants perfectly equipped for travel and adventure.

With a pattern like this, it should come as no surprise that the brand’s latest footwear, the Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II, has the capacity to extend far beyond its intended use.

Gray high-top Patagonia hiking boot with mesh upper and gum Vibram sole.
Uniquely, these boots have an almost basketball sneaker-like quality, upping their curb appeal.
Patagonia

A different angle

As their name suggests, these boots are a follow-up to an existing product: the River Salt Wading Boots. Furthermore (and to be fair to Patagonia), there’s a much narrower gap between these boots’ intended purpose and what they’re capable of.

You’ve likely gathered by now that these are fishing boots, part of Patagonia’s ongoing line of fly fishing offerings. However, this new version improves upon its predecessor in nearly every way, and it’s these changes that give them a leg-up beyond the banks of rivers and streams.

High-top gray sneaker with mesh and suede upper and gum rubber sole.
The ankle strap adds extra stability, helping keep wearers steady on their feet.
Patagonia

The previous boots were taller, had a largely leather construction and were, frankly, pretty clunky. These new ones are shorter — more like mid-length hikers — and have a better ratio of leather to nylon (Cordura, in this case).

They’re more breathable, flexible, easy-wearing and they look far better (so much so that it’s hard to even think these are in the same family). And yet, they still offer plenty of capability to pair with these changes.

Pair of gray Patagonia hiking boots with gum rubber soles shown from back and front.
The abrasion-resistant Cordura nylon mesh uppers are lightweight, breathable, quick-drying and extremely durable.
Patagonia

Treaded trekkers

One of the boots’ strongest features is their outsole. Boasting an unusual treaded pattern and a Vibram base, they’re designed specifically to offer grip and steadiness on the soggiest of terrain — riverbeds, literally. That also means they’re great at gripping on virtually any other terrain, including hiking trails, campgrounds and wherever else your trekking might take you.

And yet, that’s only one part of the story. The boots also have a thick ankle strap that lends further credence to their use beyond just angling. That strap helps increase the boots’ stability, helping wearers better avoid injuries on uneven terrain.

Close-up of a shoe sole with a tan rubber tread featuring a geometric pattern and a gray upper side.
The thick tread on the boots’ Vibram soles offers excellent grip on even the slipperiest of terrain.
Patagonia

Furthermore, the boots have an excellent lacing system — another factor that improves their stability and ensures a snug fit. And while they’re not waterproof, they are water-resistant, quick-drying and have a leather wrap around the lower part of their upper, helping keep them from getting bogged down when things get soggy.

Interestingly, Patagonia doesn’t trade in hiking boots at the moment (it has in the past, but it was sporadic). But this pair is a pretty serious contender, if incidentally, and great proof of concept for the brand expanding more into that space, should it so desire.

Pair of gray Patagonia high-top hiking boots with gum Vibram soles, one showing tread pattern.
These boots look outstanding and promise to perform even better.
Patagonia

Available now

The Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II are now available on the brand’s site for $349 per pair.

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