We recommend for: Great Walk-style tramps, day tramping and trail walking.

What we like: Very comfortable, tough uppers

What we don’t like: Shallow sole tread

1164g

Overview and features: This boot has a comfortable maximalist-style sole, with an integrated rand, a hard-wearing nubuck leather upper and a TimberDry waterproof/breathable liner. The boots have a large percentage of  recycled or sustainable materials.

Fit and comfort: I picked my size accurately from Timberland’s measurement guide. This boot is pleasantly stable with a refined fit, cushy midsole and wide extended heel and sole. It was comfortable right away but benefitted from a couple of short walks to bed in the tongue. The leather stretched a little to accommodate my wide feet.

Durability: The leather upper, with a Cordura lining, has minimal seams and will outlast synthetic uppers. The outsole provides a partial rand for midsole and upper, but it’s low around the toe box so doesn’t protect the leather much, and the shallow tread will be shorter lived than a deeper-treaded boot. The small area of exposed midsole in the arch didn’t cope well with sharp rocks, but that’s typical of such soles.

In use: The sole does provide positive traction in dry and greasy conditions, but absolute grip was limited in very loose or muddy conditions. The boot’s width delivered good stability overall and the ‘mid’ height provides moderate ankle protection while retaining some agility, but was clunky when scrambling. The top two lace anchors are not hooks so unlacing can be slow, but this system does remove the risk of a hook catching on an errant shoelace.

Value: Overall this is a good buy, but boots with more specialist tramping features are available for a similar cost.

Why buy the Motion Scramble? 

These boots have ready comfort and practical uppers and will appeal to people doing easy to moderate tramps and day hikes on formed trails. The mid cut is appropriate for modest pack weights and light loads on day hikes on rougher tracks, but the sole might show some knocks.