Ahnu Coburn Hiking Boots Review

While I’m a fan of lightweight trail runners, there are times when they just don’t cut it. For muddy trails, heavy loads and adventures off the trail I need something tough, supporting, but not too heavy. My go-to boot for these tasks in the past year has been the Ahnu Coburn.

This is a long term review of Ahnu’s Coburn Boot that I was sent for review last spring. It’s been through a lot of testing in that year and not only are they still going strong, they’ve found a permanent space in my footwear rotation.

The Ahnu Coburn hiker is an aggressive, overbuilt mid-height hiking boot equipped with e-vent waterproof breathable technology. Let’s look at the features and then talk about our experience.

Features

• Designed for: Hiking, Backpacking
• Waterproof Leather / synthetic mesh upper
• E-vent waterproof-breathable inner
• Padded, gusseted tongue
• Metal eyelets and hooks
• Numentum Technology (Lightweight, flexible, stable)
• Rubber Toe-cap
• Thermoplastic polyurethane shank and arch support
• Dual-density EVA midsole
• Non-marking Rubber outsole
• Multi-directional lugs
• MSRP: $165

Testing

When you get a high-end hiking boot, you have to put it through its paces. Over the last year we’ve trudged through thick mud, hiked through and across rivers, packed in heavy loads, Trudged through ice and snow, ambled through hot summer days, carried canoes and driven for hours on a stick shift. So, what did our year of testing teach us? These are some pretty awesome boots.

In depth analysis

Let’s start with Numentum Technology. From Ahnu’s site, Numentum Technology is their approach to lightweight footwear designed to provide stability, and flexibility while decreasing fatigue.

From their site:

Reduced weight equals less fatigue, so you can keep on hiking. Take on rugged terrain with forefoot flexibility and an anti-stone bruising plate. Heel stability and second density support make the difference with every step.

A typical waterproof leather hiking boot weighs in at 2lbs or more, whereas the average weight of the Coburn is only 1lb 8 oz. With footwear, that’s a big deal, and you notice it. Heavy footwear takes a toll on the distances you can travel.

Despite the cut in weight, there is, in our opinion and just-right level of support. The Mid-height design is above the ankle, providing support for those with weaker ankles or those needing to carry heavy loads.

The Padding of the dual density midsole provides comfort, but without making you losing touch completely with the terrain.

These boots are truly waterproof. Even after a year of abuse, mud, canoe launches and rivers, our feet are still dry. The tongue leaves no room for water to come in, so I’ve been able to go up to the tops of the boots while still staying dry.

What about the e-vent technology? First off, we don’t believe that anything is truly 100% waterproof, while being 100% breathable. That said, I have been impressed with how well the e-vent technology does perform. Several times I’ve worn heavy merino wool socks with these boots in summer just to see how well the technology works. Despite getting warm and sweating, the e-vent does a great job of managing that moisture. I have never gotten blisters or sore spots in these boots and I don’t end up with wet socks after a days use. If I do the smart thing and wear weather appropriate socks then the clamminess disappears. So yes, the e-vent technology performs very well and does what it’s supposed to do.

These boots are going to last. Ahnu opted for double rows of stitching all over this boot to help them stand up to abuse and make them more durable. It’s nice to see that kind of attention to detail.

Kudos to Ahnu for adding the toe cap. Honestly. I’ve torn the toe right off other footwear on light hikes, but despite heavy use over the past year the toes on these boots are undamaged and they look great too.

Ahnu opted for metal eyelets and lace hooks and they hit the spot. They’re strong without being too heavy. I abuse my footwear, but these have held up well with no friction wear to the eyelets or hooks. Ahnu did replace the laces for me once, but that’s par for the course when it comes to me. I’ve worn out countless pairs of laces on countless pairs of shoes. Still a slightly heavier duty set of laves would hold up a bit better.

The combination of the support, insole, midsole, outsole and multi-directional lugs provide excellent traction. I can heft heavy loads (i.e. children, canoes, backpacking gear for a family of six) any not have to worry about sliding around in my boot or on the terrain.

An additional benefit is that they can handle a set of trail crampons without problem.

The Coburn boots come in at $165 MSRP. That seems to be the sweet spot for hiking boots right now, and they’re priced right for what they offer. Having seen how they performed after wearing them for a year, I’d probably pay more (but don’t let them know that).

Conclusion

Ahnu has nailed it with these boots. They give excellent support, comfort and waterproofing while being breathable, lightweight and feeling like shoes. If you need a pair of heavy-duty, but lighter weight waterproof hiking boots for backpacking, hiking, or other backcountry adventures then you really need to try on a pair of Ahnu Coburns. Expect a long, comfortable life from these boots with many dry miles on rough terrain. For $165 you won’t be disappointed.