Gore-Tex^® Tennine Waterproof Hiker Boot (Men)

I was initially excited to try the Hoka Tennine Boots, but that enthusiasm quickly turned into discomfort on a short hike to Mt. Fremont Lookout. I purchased my usual size 10, yet the fit felt slightly oversized right from the start. Even putting them on was a challenge as the speed hooks are awkward to use, making the lacing process unnecessarily cumbersome. On the ascent, the extended heel bumper made climbing feel less efficient, as if I needed to work harder with each step. However, the real problem became clear on the descent. The heel bumper continually pushed my feet forward, causing my toes to slam into the front of the shoe. By the time we reached the trailhead, my toes were CRUSHED and were in severe pain. The issues were even more apparent on the hike’s easy stair sections. Walking down felt unsafe, as the protruding heel bumper would catch on the steps, making each descent feel unstable and risky. Frankly, I’m shocked this design made it to market. For me, these boots were not just uncomfortable, they felt unsafe.