NORTIV 8 Men’s Waterproof Hiking Boots Review: budget-friendly boots that actually hold up on rough walks

I’ve been using these NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof hiking boots (black, wide fit, UK 9.5) for a few weeks now on my usual mix of dog walks, muddy trails, and the odd longer hike. I didn’t buy them expecting miracles – just needed something cheap enough that I wouldn’t cry if they fell apart after a season. So I went in with pretty low expectations, especially seeing “made in China” and the price tag compared to big brands like Merrell or Salomon.

First surprise: they didn’t wreck my feet on the first day. I did about 8–9 km straight out of the box, mixed terrain (tarmac, gravel, wet grass, a bit of mud), and I didn’t get any blisters or hot spots. That’s not always the case with budget boots; usually I’m dealing with rubbing around the heel or little toe. Here, nothing dramatic. They felt a bit stiff at the start, but they loosened up after an hour.

Second point, they actually feel more solid than I expected. The sole is quite firm with decent grip, the ankle support is there without feeling like a ski boot, and the wide fit didn’t crush my toes. I’ve had cheaper supermarket boots before that felt like cardboard after two outings. These are clearly in another league for not much more money. You can tell they’re not premium, but they don’t scream “disposable” either.

They’re not perfect though. They’re a bit on the heavy side compared to lighter trail shoes, the zip closure is handy but not super smooth, and the waterproofing is good but not magic – fine for puddles, I’d be more cautious standing in water for ages. But overall, for the price, they’re a pretty solid option if you want something for regular walks and hikes without blowing your budget.

This is where the NORTIV 8 boots make the most sense: value for money. You’re getting a waterproof mid-cut hiking boot with a proper rubber sole, decent cushioning, wide fit, and solid grip for noticeably less than most big-name brands. If you compare them to a £120+ pair from a top brand, you obviously don’t get the same finish or weight savings, but you also pay a lot less. For someone who wants reliable boots for regular outdoor use without spending a fortune, they’re a pretty good deal.

From my use, they’ve already done enough to justify the price. They’ve handled mud, rain, and rocky paths without any real issues. I haven’t had to baby them, and I don’t feel stressed if they get covered in muck or scraped on stones. That’s kind of the point of budget gear: you can use it hard without worrying. The fact that several reviewers report them lasting over a year of heavy use just adds to that sense that you’re getting decent bang for your buck.

Of course, there are compromises. They’re heavier than more expensive lightweight boots, the materials are clearly mid-range, and the waterproofing probably won’t stay perfect forever. If you’re a serious hiker doing long-distance treks or mountain routes every weekend, it might be worth saving for something lighter and more technical. But if you’re like most people – dog walks, weekend hikes, maybe a few trips to places like the Lakes or Snowdonia – these boots are more than enough without emptying your wallet.

So in terms of value, I’d put them in the “good buy if your expectations are realistic” category. They’re not luxury, they’re not ultra-light, but they’re comfortable, reasonably tough, and cheap enough that replacing them after a couple of seasons doesn’t hurt too much. For a first pair of hiking boots or a backup pair you don’t mind abusing, they make a lot of sense.

Design-wise, these boots are pretty straightforward. Black, ankle-high, padded collar, rubber toe bumper, and a fairly aggressive tread pattern underneath. No bright colours or fancy patterns; they’re the kind of boots you can wear on a muddy walk and then into the pub without feeling like you’re dressed for an expedition. For me that’s a plus – they don’t draw attention, they just look like standard outdoor boots.

The lacing system is classic: fabric loops at the bottom, metal eyelets and hooks at the top. They hold the laces well, and I haven’t had any slipping or loosening mid-walk. The side zip is the extra bit. Once I set the laces to the tightness I like, I mostly leave them alone and just use the zip to get in and out. It’s convenient, especially when you’re coming back with muddy hands and don’t want to mess around. That said, the zip isn’t the smoothest on earth. It works, but you sometimes have to guide it a bit if mud has dried around it.

The ankle support is decent. The collar is quite padded and comes up just above the ankle bone. On uneven ground, I felt supported without feeling locked in. People with weak ankles might still prefer something stiffer, but for normal hiking and dog-walking it’s fine. The wide fit also means your foot can spread out a bit without rubbing on the sides, which helps with comfort on longer walks. The boot doesn’t feel too narrow or pointy, more like a roomy all-rounder.

If I had to criticise the design, I’d say they’re on the chunky side. If you’re used to lightweight trail runners, these will feel heavier and bulkier. Also, because they’re all black, they can look a bit like work boots rather than sporty hikers. But in practice, the design is more about function than style, and on that front they’re solid: good toe protection, stable base, practical zip, and a shape that suits wider feet.

Comfort is where these boots surprised me the most. I usually expect a bit of a break-in period with cheaper boots – rubbing around the heel, stiff upper, that sort of thing. With these, I did a first walk of around 8 km, mostly off-road, and didn’t get any blisters or serious hot spots. They were a bit stiff for the first hour, especially around the ankle, but they softened up quickly. By the third or fourth outing, they felt pretty natural on my feet.

The wide fit is a big plus if you hate feeling squeezed. My toes had room to move, even with thick hiking socks. On downhill sections, I didn’t feel my toes slamming into the front, which is often my issue with narrower boots. The midfoot and heel are snug enough to keep your foot in place, so you don’t slide around inside. One reviewer mentioned plantar issues and joint pain and using extra cushioned insoles – I tried swapping the stock insole for a thicker one on a long day and the boot handled it well, without making the fit too tight.

Underfoot, the cushioning is decent. It’s not super plush like some running shoes, but for walking on stones, forest paths, and pavement, it absorbs shocks well enough. After a few 2–3 hour walks, my feet felt tired in a normal way, not beaten up. The ankle padding is generous and doesn’t dig in, even when laced fairly tight. The tongue is padded too, so you don’t feel the pressure of the laces on the top of your foot.

The only downside comfort-wise is the weight and warmth. They’re not crazy heavy, but you notice them more than lightweight trail shoes. After a full day, you’re aware you’ve been in boots. Also, because they’re reasonably waterproof and padded, they can run warm in mild weather. On a cool, wet day they’re great; on a hot, dry day they can feel a bit overkill. Still, for the use case they’re aimed at – hiking, dog walking, general outdoor stuff – I’d say they’re comfortably above average in this price range.

The upper is a mix of suede and faux leather, with textile lining inside. You can tell it’s not premium full-grain leather, but it doesn’t feel like cheap plastic either. The suede parts give a bit of flexibility, and the faux leather sections seem to add some structure and water resistance. After a few weeks of mud, rain, and being hosed off, the material is holding up fine. No peeling, no major creases beyond normal wear, just a bit of scuffing on the toe which you’d expect.

Inside, the lining is textile, and the insole is removable. The insole itself is nothing fancy, but it’s soft enough and has a bit of cushioning. If you have specific foot issues or want more arch support, you can easily swap it out for your own orthotics or a thicker insole. One of the Amazon reviewers mentioned using cushioned insoles for plantar problems, and I can see why – there’s enough volume in the boot to fit them without crushing your foot. That’s a small but useful detail if you’re used to custom insoles.

The sole is a combination of EVA and rubber. The midsole feels like EVA foam, which handles shock absorption, and the outer part is rubber with lugs for grip. On hard surfaces like tarmac, it feels firm but not like walking on wood. On stones and gravel, it dulls the sharpness enough that you don’t feel every point through the sole. After regular walks, the tread still looks almost new. I’ve had more expensive shoes where the heel wore down faster than this, so for the price, the sole material seems decent.

Is it premium? No. You can see some glue marks and stitching that’s more functional than pretty if you look closely. But nothing has come loose so far, and other buyers talk about using them heavily for months or more than a year before seeing serious wear. For a boot at this price, the materials feel like a good compromise: not luxurious, but tough enough for regular outdoor use without feeling like they’ll fall apart at the first sign of rocks or mud.

I haven’t had these boots for years yet, so I’m partly leaning on my own use and partly on what long-term reviewers report. So far, after several weeks of regular wear (a few times a week, often 1–3 hours each time), there’s very little visible wear. The sole shows almost no flattening of the lugs, the stitching is intact, and the upper has only light scuffing on the toe area. No seams are coming apart, and the heel lining isn’t wearing through, which is where a lot of cheap boots fail first.

What gives me more confidence is reading reviews from people who’ve used them hard for 12–15 months. One person mentioned using them for 6-hour walks on stony ground multiple times a week and still having the soles in good shape, with just some small holes in the outer shell where it creased. Another used them on building sites (without toe caps, obviously) plus hiking and fishing, and they’re only now starting to show serious wear but still going. That lines up with how they feel in the hand: not indestructible, but more solid than the usual bargain stuff.

The rubber outsole seems to be the strong point. It doesn’t chew up quickly, and the heel area, which usually goes first, still looks fine on mine. The upper will probably be the weak link over time, especially where it bends at the toe. That’s normal. The waterproofing will likely fade a bit once cracks or deep creases appear, but that’s the trade-off at this price. If you regularly clean them, let them dry properly (not on a radiator), and maybe give them a spray with a waterproofing product now and then, I can see these lasting a good couple of seasons of regular use.

For the cost, I’d say durability is one of the strong points. You’re not getting lifetime boots, but you’re also not getting something that falls apart after a month. If you hike a couple of times a week, walk the dog daily, and use them in bad weather, they look like they’ll hold up well enough to feel like money well spent.

In terms of performance, I’ve thrown these at most of what I normally walk through: wet grass, muddy fields, gravel paths, woodland trails, and a bit of rocky ground. The grip is honestly pretty solid. The lugs are deep enough to bite into soft ground, and I didn’t have any scary slips on wet mud or damp rocks. Obviously, if you step on slimy rock at a weird angle, no boot will save you completely, but compared to some cheaper boots I’ve had, these feel more secure underfoot.

Waterproofing is decent. I’ve walked through long wet grass, shallow puddles, and even stood in a small stream for a short time. My feet stayed dry in all those cases. One of the reviews mentioned dunking them in a stream to wash off mud and still staying dry inside, and that matches what I’ve seen so far. Just be realistic: if you stand in water up to the ankle collar for ages or if they eventually crease and crack after a year, they’ll start to let water in like any budget boot. For normal rain and mud, they’re fine.

On longer walks (4–5 hours), they stay reasonably comfortable and supportive. The midsole doesn’t feel like it’s collapsing, and the ankle support helps when walking on uneven ground or side slopes. They’re not technical mountaineering boots, so I wouldn’t pick them for serious winter alpine stuff, but for UK-style hills, lakes, forests, and coastal paths, they’re more than enough. One reviewer mentioned using them for 6-hour walks on stony ground for over a year, which gives some confidence that the performance doesn’t fall off a cliff after a few outings.

The only thing to keep in mind is the weight. Because they’re a bit heavier and more structured, they’re better suited to proper walks than casual city wear. If you just want something ultra-light for jogging trails, these will feel overbuilt. But if you want a boot that feels stable, grips well, and keeps your feet dry in typical muddy, wet conditions, they get the job done without drama.

On paper, these NORTIV 8 boots tick a lot of boxes: waterproof membrane, suede and faux leather upper, rubber/EVA sole, ankle height, wide fit, and a 4.2/5 rating from a lot of reviews. In the hand, they line up fairly well with that description. They look like a classic mid-cut hiking boot: black upper, padded ankle collar, rubber toe cap, and a chunky outsole with multi-directional lugs. Nothing flashy, but they look like they’re made for work, not Instagram photos.

Mine came in a basic cardboard box, no fancy unboxing experience, just the boots and some paper stuffing. Honestly, that’s fine by me – I’d rather they put the money into the shoe than the packaging. First impression was that they feel a bit heavier and more rigid than casual walking shoes, but lighter than full-on mountaineering boots. I’d put them in the “everyday hiking and dog-walking” category rather than technical mountain gear, which matches what the brand claims.

The wide fit is noticeable. If you usually feel squeezed in standard boots, these give more room across the forefoot, which I appreciated, especially with thicker socks. I went with my usual size but in wide, and I didn’t feel cramped. The zip closure on the side plus laces is a bit unusual in this price range. It does make them easier to get on and off once you’ve set the laces how you like them. I can slip them on and zip up in a few seconds, which is handy for quick dog walks.

Overall, in terms of presentation, they feel like a budget-friendly hiking boot that’s trying to be practical rather than pretty. You get a proper rubber outsole, a padded interior, and a design that clearly aims at long walks in mixed conditions. If you expect them to rival high-end brands in finesse, you’ll be disappointed. If you just want something that looks like a normal hiking boot and feels solid enough in the hand, they do the job.