Hi-Tech makes a range of hiking boots for a variety of purposes. We tried the V-Lite Mach 3.0 WPi on for size. Read more for our full review.

These days the market for lightweight footwear has gotten pretty crowded. It seems that every company under the sun has introduced lightweight versions of their boots to try and shave some weight from the average person’s gear. While this is a very welcome change, not many have managed to reduce weight without also reducing stability and ankle support. At 1.25 pounds, the V-Lite Mach 3.0 WPi certainly fits the lightweight boot category, so I was interested in giving them a try.

On paper, these boots certainly appear to be up to snuff. They’re waterproof with welded seams and ion-mask technology. The lining is moisture wicking to keep your feet nice and dry on the trail. The toe cap and heel are made of a strong molded rubber. For those that don’t like leather and it’s environmental consequences, the entire upper is made of a synthetic mesh.  As implied by the name, Hi-Tech equipped these boots with its V-Lite technology. While a full description of V-Lite is beyond the scope of this review, more information on it is available here.

Marketing speak aside, how do these boots perform? The short answer is, surprisingly well. I didn’t have very high hopes for a boot this light. I wouldn’t normally expect much ankle support or footbed stability. However, the Mach 3.0 WPi was pleasantly surprising. There was little to no ankle roll over large rocks and the upper part of the boot provided a good amount of support. The toe box provided a good amount of room without letting my foot slip.

Testing was done in the fall, so it’s a bit hard to tell how breathable the boots are since sweat wasn’t an issue. However, the boots do appear to be waterproof as my feet didn’t get wet walking through water. The tread pattern also provided a good amount of traction when wet and on a variety of surfaces.

While the company classifies these boots as light hikers, I wouldn’t be opposed to taking them on a full backpacking trip. Considering these boots weigh half that of my normal backpacking boots, this is a rather large weight savings. Previously, I hadn’t found any lightweight boots that I would consider taking on a 40 mile trip.

The only downside to these boots is that they take a while to break in. Don’t expect to put them on and go on a week long trip without any break-in period. You’ll have to take them on a few day hikes before they become comfortable. Once broken in, they are very comfortable.

At $125, the Hi-Tech V-Lite Mach 3.0 WPi is well priced. It’s not the cheapest nor the most expensive backpacking boot, but right in the middle. If you’re in the market for a new pair of boots this holiday season, give these a try.

Product sample provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.