Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to test and review a variety of NORTIV 8 footwear. I’ve taken them all around the world, put them through extreme conditions, and honestly?
I’ve been surprised.
For such an affordable price, NORTIV 8 has rarely let me down. But how will that track record fair with the new DualStride Armadillo FieldLite Mid boots?
Let’s find out!
NORTIV 8 DualStride Armadillo FieldLite Mid Boots Overview
NORTIV 8 has built a reputation for producing affordable outdoor footwear that delivers solid performance without the premium price tag. Instead of forcing you to spend $200+ for a pair of hiking boots, the company focuses on offering dependable, feature-rich alternatives for everyday hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The NORTIV 8 DualStride Armadillo FieldLite Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are a great example of that philosophy. Designed to be lightweight, waterproof, and comfortable straight out of the box, they aim to provide the features most hikers need at a price that’s accessible to just about everyone. In this review, I’ll take a closer look at where these boots excel, where they fall short, and whether they’re the right choice for your next adventure!
Where They Shine
In my opinion, NORTIV 8’s boots are their greatest achievement as a company. They truly embody the combination of quality and affordability, to the point where I would be content wearing them for almost every occasion. So, let’s dig a little deeper and talk about the big places where these boots really shine.
Comfort
Perhaps more than anything else, I’m always extremely impressed by NORTIV 8’s ability to make such comfortable boots. They never require any break-in time, and even after months of wear and tear, I still feel like I’m walking on a cloud.
The sizing is also spot on, which is more than I can say for a lot of other shoe brands. They do run a little wide (which is perfect for me, since I have wide feet), but even if your feet are average or narrow, the extra space is nice to have when your feet swell.
Style
I find boots to be one of the most versatile types of footwear, so I like to wear them everywhere I go. However, I don’t always want to telegraph that I’m a mountain climber just waiting for my next chance at an ascent, which is why I love the FieldLite’s understated design. They have a rugged, outdoorsy look without being overly bulky or flashy, making them just as comfortable in town as they are on the trail.
The color options are particularly well done – they’re easy to pair with hiking pants, jeans, or even casual everyday clothing. While style is always subjective, I think NORTIV 8 struck and excellent balance between function and appearance. The fact that they look this good while still performing well on the trail only adds to their overall value.
Durability
I haven’t owned the FieldLite’s long enough to give a full account of their durability, but my initial assessment is certainly positive. At the time of this writing, I’ve worn them almost every day for the last month, mostly on long walks and hikes through the Rocky Mountains. I’ve scraped and scuffed them, gotten them covered in mud, and otherwise played rough with them for dozens of miles.
And (aside from being a bit dustier) they look like they just came out of the box.
Time will tell if they continue to hold up, but if they’re anything like their predecessors, I’m not too concerned. It usually takes 12-16 months for me to wear through a pair of NORTIV 8 boots, which is the equivalent of hundreds of miles of hiking, in my case.
Traction
I’ve taken my FieldLite’s on pretty much every terrain you can think of, and there’s one thing that continues to impress me over and over: traction. Hiking on dirt trails? Loose gravel? Mud? Snow? It doesn’t matter what I’m stepping on, at no point did I feel like I was fighting to keep my footing.
While I wouldn’t expect them to outperform premium hiking boots on extremely technical terrain, the outsole offers more than enough grip for the vast majority of hikers. Along with comfort, the traction on these boots is what makes them feel so much more expensive than they actually are.
Price
It’s hard to complain about a pair of boots that costs less than $100. Considering everything you get with the footwear, I’m not sure a better deal exists for the price range, especially when you consider that comparable boots usually cost double or triple that amount.
While you do sacrifice some of the durability that you’d find in La Sportiva or Salomon boots, NORTIV 8 undeniably punches above its weight class. With the FieldLite’s, you do not get what you pay for – you get a lot more. If value for money is one of your top priorities, these boots are one of the strongest budget-friendly options currently available.
Potential Pain Points
I’ve given credit where credit is due, but that doesn’t mean that the NORTIV 8 FieldLite boots are perfect. My complaints are minor, all things considered, but there is a consistent pain point that crops up in every pair of NORTIV 8 boots.
Breathability
Here in Colorado, temperatures have been in the mid-90s for the last month. That hasn’t kept me from going outside, but it has made me realize how lacking the FieldLite’s are in breathability. While I recognize that I would be hot in those temperatures regardless of my footwear, it’s still uncomfortable to feel my socks squishing with sweat every time I take a step.
I assume the general lack of breathability has to do with the waterproofing, and for many of the hikes that I like to go on, that’s a fair tradeoff. For most of the year, I probably wouldn’t even notice the buildup of heat. But it’s still a point worth noting, especially if you find yourself using them during excessively hot summers.
Final Verdict
Overall, the NORTIV 8 DualStride Armadillo FieldLite Mid boots continue a trend I’ve come to expect from the company: delivering far more value than their price tag would suggest.
Are they perfect? No. If you’re hiking through scorching summer temperatures or regularly tackling highly technical alpine terrain, there are premium boots that will outperform them. Better breathability, higher-end materials, and longer-lasting construction are all things you’ll find if you’re willing to spend two or three times as much.
But… That’s also the point.
The FieldLite isn’t trying to compete with a $250 mountaineering boot. It’s trying to provide everyday hikers with a comfortable, dependable, waterproof boot at a price almost anyone can afford. In that regard, it succeeds remarkably well.
In the few dozen miles I’ve put on the boots, there wasn’t any single feature that really stood out to me; rather, it was how well everything came together into a cohesive whole. They’re comfortable enough to wear all day, stylish enough to wear off the trail, grippy enough to inspire confidence on varied terrain, and durable enough that I don’t find myself worrying about every scrape or muddy puddle.
If you’re shopping on a budget, these are an easy recommendation. And honestly, even if money isn’t a constraint, I’d still encourage you to ask whether spending another $100-$200 would actually improve your hiking experience enough to justify the cost. For many people, I suspect the answer is no.
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