Nortiv8 Armadillo 2 Hiking Boots

by Nick Italiano

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Taking care of your feet while exploring the great outdoors is a top priority that is often overlooked by those who are newer to getting out there. No matter what your chosen activity is, appropriate footwear can greatly increase your foot comfort and health which will make your overall experience much more enjoyable.  While I enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities I spend most of my time hiking. One of the things I have come to dread most over the years is when my hiking boots start to reach the end of their useable lifespan, as acquiring new boots is always a costly venture. I’ve also noticed a decline in value from some of the more expensive brands that I’ve relied upon for years, prices have increased and durability and longevity has decreased. I spent some time exploring other brands, specifically in the affordable hiking boot space, and had mixed results. Last year I was given the opportunity to test the Nortiv8 Armadillo boots, in a nutshell my determination was they were a great boot for the price. They were not perfect, but they offered a very comfortable ride, reasonable durability, and reliable water resistance. Nortiv8 collected a ton of feedback from all the folks that did some product testing for them and recently released the Armadillo 2 hiking boot, and I have to say they did a great job listening to the community and making improvements on the new version!

Versions and Fit

The original Armadillo boot comes in a variety of options including wide foot versions and both low and mid versions. Currently the Armadillo 2 is only available in standard sizes with a mid height. I have a fairly wide foot, and found no discomfort in long term wear of the standard boot. The original provided a reasonable amount of Arch support, but the Armadillo 2 greatly improved this area and could absolutely be used without adding costly third party insoles. I have worn these all day during my testing and found them to be comfortable, keep in mind like most waterproof and water resistant boots they tend to be on the warm side, but when worn with wool socks, which are the only type of sock you should ever be hiking with, my feet were quite happy. I found the Armadillo to fit true to size, with enough space inside to accommodate a thicker sock and in inevitable foot swell over longer hikes. As with all hikers, these should be properly broken in before embarking on a long hike. I found the Armadillo 2 broke in quickly and were good to go after a day or two of regular wear. In terms of weight, they fall in line with most hiking shoes. The softshells are lighter than a standard work boot, but heavier than a typical sneaker. The weight was not of any particular note for me while hiking or in daily wear while working in the woods. 

Performance Features

I found the grip on both versions of the Armadillo to have excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions, but there is . I had no issues scrambling rocks and crossing rocky streams. The water resistance has held up well to wet trails and light rain, I would not recommend long term submersion in water, but like all soft shell hikers they are not designed for that type of work. The reinforced toe area does a fine job with typical pain points on trails such as roots and small rocks and remains comfortable and unrestrictive unlike steel or polymer hard toes. 

Durability

Let me start by saying I am not easy on my footwear. My day to day wear covers 4 to 8 miles, generally in the woods and wet environments, and can be more if I have any longer hikes planned. The original Armadillo boots definitely felt that wear, and showed signs of stress and material cracking after roughly a year of daily use through 4 seasons of outdoor use. Now for just around 50 dollars, I say I definitely got my money’s worth because hikers that were 4 times the price only performed marginally better in the same conditions. While I can’t speak for the longevity of the Armadillo 2 boots, I have noticed some changes in the outer materials, such as the addition of more durable suede, that will lend to increased durability in high stress areas. 

 The Bottom Line

The Nortiv8 Armadillo 2 boot provides a tremendous value for an excellent price. When it comes to budget friendly hiking boots, Nortiv8 leads the pack in comparison to other brands I have tried. The Armadillo 2 offers excellent comfort, fit, and features, many of which you will find in more expensive brands. The addition of high-quality suede uppers combined with water-resistant synthetics, upgraded arch support, and a durable outsole with excellent multidirectional lug pattern really help this boot shine. The asking price on these is only around $50 USD making them well worth a try, but I think you will find them just as good as many of the higher priced established brands on the market right now.