Great for winter in Wisconsin review

Who should buy The North Face Chilkat 400 II

The Chilkat 400 II from The North Face Minimal break-in time. Buy it if:

• Could be lighter womens version.
• Cold, non-frozen creeks and streams are part of your daily adventures.
• Collecting The North Face Chilkat 400 II: Comfy on day one is your thing, particularly those that thrive in freezing conditions.

Who should NOT buy it

If you find the women's Chilkat 400 II too weighty, skip it for the lighter KEEN Revel IV High Polar (it's only 550 g per boot). Also, you might be better off buying the Columbia Bugaboot III as it doesn't have any reports about collar stiffness.

Updates to Great for winter in Wisconsin

Unlike its predecessor, the Chilkat 400 II from TNF has a pair of pull loops—one on the back of the heel and another on the tongue. Their presence makes on and off much easier.

But perhaps the most significant change done on the second-generation Chilkat 400 is found on its outsole. Now engineered with V-shaped ridges at the heel and forefoot, the boot's outsole delivers more braking power on ascents and descents than before.

Great for winter in Wisconsin

This winter hiking boot from The North Face got "the best warmth-to-weight ratio" result in a gear blogger's test. Another critic also swears by its excellent warming ability by saying, "I didn’t wear wool socks, but my feet never got cold at all." Also, picture this: Wisconsin is hailed as the eighth coldest state in North America during winter.

An enduring winter boot from TNF

"Extremely durable" is how numerous reviewers describe the Chilkat 400 II. Those who chose to use it for work (lift operation, equestrian work, and mail delivery) attest to its amazing durability, and believe it is "well worth the price."

The North Face

Many reviewers, including a professional one, find the Chilkat 400 II from The North Face mighty plush, with one stating that it's "unlike other boots I tried." Because of how comfortable and well-fitting it is, an expert considers it his day-to-day winter boot.

The Chilkat 400 II's initial stiffness

Based on reports, the featured boot has a rather stiff collar. They're stiff when you first put them on, said one reviewer, who also was quick to point out that the boot's high ankle cuff loosens up (or relaxes) sooner than later.

Keeps wetness at bay

"Puts emphasis on affordability and water resistance"—this is how a professional gear tester refers to the Chilkat 400 II in the area of waterproofing. Many experienced hikers who gave this boot a 5-star rating also ended up with the same conclusion, with one saying that it's "great for stomping around town in slush".

Anchored feet on ice

Experts trust the second-gen TNF Chilkat 400 II with their knees because they have proven its superb traction "on the snowiest and most slippery days." Its aggressively lugged outsole apparently produces great traction on a variety of surfaces, which include slush, melting snow, and wet leaves.

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Many female trail-goers find this hiking boot "extremely heavy and very bulky." Such an observation is not without basis, however, as the women's version of the Chilkat 400 II weighs a whopping 671 g per boot. To put things into perspective, the average weight of insulated hiking boots for women is only 464 g per kick.

Puts emphasis on affordability

Numerous trail-goers are quite impressed with the shoe's 150-dollar asking price. FYI: on average, winter hiking boots supplies over-the-ankle weather protection in cold temperatures.