Timberland White Ledge Vs Flume

Picking hiking boots can be tricky. Not everyone has the same criteria when they’re picking up their new pair of boots, and others who are new to hiking boots may not even know what to look for.

We’ve all been there.

Today we thought we’d do things a little differently.

Instead of comparing two boots that are mostly comparable to each other and about in the same budget range, we decided that we would take a look at one pair of boots that has a large “fan following” and another that is better suited for those who need a pair of boots to get them by for a few months.

Why did we do this?

Because we realize that not everyone can fork out a huge sum of money on a pair of boots. Especially if you’re living from paycheck to paycheck.

And since we realize that paying more upfront for quality is better said than done, we think this review might help you out if you’re stuck on a restrictive budget.

Timberland Flume Video Review

Timberland White Ledge Video Review

Fit

Timberland Flume- You’ll want to pick a size up from what you normally wear when buying this boot.

Otherwise sizes can fit a little tight if you stick with your usual size.

Right away you notice that they’re comfortable straight out of the box.

The break in time for these boots is barely noticeable if at all. You can slide them on without second thought and tackle any hiking trail with ease.

The White Ledges are iffy when it comes to sizing.

Some research showed that some were saying that the boots fit true to size while others were recommending people to pick another size up from their usual shoe size.

Just something you may want to be aware of if you decide to opt for this boot since jamming your toes into the front or sides of the boot isn’t the most comfortable feeling.

The heel support for these boots not only looks good but feels good too.

What about Arches?

The arches for the Timberland Flume are a little flat so if your feet require special inserts then you may want to purchase your own.

Fortunately, the soles that come with these are removable, so you can throw your own insoles without having to damage the boot.

Arches for the White Ledges are pretty much the same. The inner sole is perforated and cushiony but tends to fall apart within the 6-month mark time.

Replacing them with your own favorite inserts is a snap however since the soles that come included with the boots already are easily removed or replaced.

Weight

The weight for the Timberland Flume is lightweight but solid. So you’ll feel like you have a quality product on your feet, but they won’t weigh you down or become heavy as the trail drags on.

The fact these boots are fairly waterproof (we suggest adding your own waterproof treatment to these boots for double measures) means they won’t feel like heavy cement slabs when and if they become wet.

Weight wise for the White Ledges, they seem lightweight, but they’re also considered what some would call an “economy boot”.

That is, they would be best for someone who is just starting out with hiking and not sure if hiking is really for them.

Other than newbies, other suggested uses are for men who work in demanding trades like construction workers or landscapers.

But before you scoop up a pair of these boots for those occupations, please heed our warnings about replacing the inner soles or you will end up hating these boots.

Insoles and Outsoles

The removable dual density Eva footbed insoles of the Flume boot are comfortable but feel basic. They feel cushioned enough to keep you going for hours while on your feet and are supposed to help keep your feet dry.

We think that depends on the wearer and the specific conditions you’re working in.

The outsoles for this boot are rubber and have multidirectional lugs. If you’re new to boots you might not know what that means so put simply, it means that these boots have an insane amount of grip.

Climbing steep and slippery rocks won’t be a problem, walking on a slippery log spread across a river won’t be a problem either.

These boots are ready for whatever you throw at them.

As touched on a little further up, the White Ledge boots have a decent insole, but if you’re going to be standing or working on your feet all day, consider purchasing a separate pair of new inserts for more comfort.

The ones that come pre-included with these boots are nothing special and tend to wear down within 6 months of heavy use.

For the outer soles, they have the same rubber material with the multidirectional lugs as well. The grip you get with these boots should be comparable with the Flume boots.

Are They Waterproof?

For the most part, the Timberland Flumes are waterproof, but we always suggest treating every hiking boot with a waterproof solution before you decide to wear them when crossing creeks or just to keep the morning dew from making your socks uncomfortably wet.

When they weren’t treated, we noticed that several consumers commented about how they remained waterproof for up to 2 years before the toes started to let water seep in when crossing slushy roads or creeks.

The White Ledge boots don’t have a waterproof liner inside the boots, so you’re relying on the leather materials to help keep water out of your boots.

That will work fine for a few months or couple years, but without a special waterproof treatment, you’ll end up with soggy feet if you try to walk across a creek or slushy road with these.

Furthermore, we noticed the inseams and the stitching tended to let moisture and water in with these boots, so maybe they should just stay in your closet unless you can guarantee the conditions or weather for the day.

Are They Good for Winter/Summer Wear?

If you’re wearing the Timberland Flume boot, you an easily “dress it up or down” to suit the occasion.

Wearing comfortable cotton socks during the summer will keep your feet from becoming soaked with sweat, while also allowing your feet to breathe in the summer heat.

Want to wear them during the winter? No problem. Just wear your favorite wool socks with them and your feet will stay toasty all day.

The insoles that come with the White Ledge boots are perforated to allow air to circulate and as we’ve mentioned before, we suggested replacing them with your own favorite inserts.

This can affect the breathability and how well they wear during the summer or winter, so it depends on your inserts.

Wearing thin cotton socks during the warmer months can certainly help keep your feet cool, while switching to thicker padded socks during the colder months will keep you comfortable and dry.

Color Options

At the time of writing this review, you can snag your new pair of Timberland Flume boots in two colors: Black and Dark Brown.

Not a huge color selection to choose from, but it’s the quality and comfort that matters most when you’re picking up a pair of reliable hiking boots.

Compared to the Flumes, you get a significant more choices to pick from.

At the moment, you can choose from Dark Brown, Wheat, Original Wheat, Gaucho, Brown, and Black.

The colors may only matter if you’re finicky about personalization, but we recommend darker colors to hide wear and tear since lighter colors will show scuffs and abrasions more easily.

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Verdict – Timberland White Ledge Vs Flume 

The White Ledges seem like they’ll last about 6 months or so but there was a lot of complaints about the inner and outer soles falling apart around the 6-month mark.

Some people replaced the inner soles with their own inserts like Scholl’s and that seemed to help, but it does nothing for the seams and stitching on the outside-which also seemed to give out a lot.

Waterproofing wise, both say they’re waterproof but it’s best if you apply an additional waterproof treatment before you decide to break either of these boots in.

Mink oil seems to work best and helped to make the leather a little suppler and less stiff.

So, if we could only have one pair of either of these boots, we’d probably stick with the Flumes until the quality issues could be worked out with the White Ledges.