Ridgeline Warrior EXP Boots

Ridgeline Clothing of New Zealand is now very well established and is better known for their high quality jacket and trouser combinations. But now they’ve added footwear and here’s their first attempt - the Ridgeline Warrior EXP Hunting Boot.

The Warriors are of a very high standard by way of their sturdy and strong construction, rugged soles plus the amount of extra padding and protection given at key areas. Measuring 10 1⁄2” at the front (including tongue) and dropping to 9” at the rear they fall firmly in what are generally termed a ‘high leg’ design. The boot is mainly manufactured from full grain wax leather which has been treated to a waterproof outer.

HYDRO GUARD

To ensure total weatherproofing incorporated into the build is a Hydro Guard membrane and a very generous Thinsulate insulating liner. This will ensure your feet are kept warm and dry in even the worst conditions. The lacing system compliments the tough and rugged design. All lace retainers are manufactured from metal that’s treated to be fully weather resistant. These include four pairs of captive eyelets and a further four pairs of speed hooks. The former are riveted and hinged so allowing them to articulate to allow the boot to be drawn firmly into position, which also evens out the tension applied.

There’s also a ‘lace guide retainer hasp’ set approximately half way up the generously padded tongue. This also translates over to enabling the tension of the laces being able to be relaxed more efficiently when the boots are untied so coupled with the open hasp speed retainers getting in and out of the boot is made far quicker and easier.

RUGGED!

The rugged build of the boot transfers down to the thick and deep cut outer sole which is also fitted with a very generous full ‘wrap around’ tough rubber rand which is configured to give extra protection at the toe and raises up at the rear to give protection at the heel. Just above the extra protection at the rear is a ‘flex panel’ that offers a degree of give at this section for wearer comfort. The very aggressive cleat and lug layout of the outsole gives a very high degree of traction on a variety of terrains and is very easy to clean.

This rubber composite sole is actually given a name – Hyper Grip – which it lives up to as it really is very ‘grippy’ even on slippery surfaces. In fact the company make a point of stating: ‘the sole has been especially developed for Ridgeline to offer the wearer secure and positive foot placement on surfaces that would normally be inaccessible.’

To sum up I’d say the Ridgeline Warrior EXP Boots are amongst the most rugged, tough and hard wearing hunting footwear I’ve tested and if you require a high level of protection from both terrain and weather then they’re definitely the ones to consider!

FOR: Tough, robust and practical
AGAINST: Not a lot
VERDICT: They offer the wearer a high level of protection and comfort Bit heavy for some