Altima Maritime Assault Mid Boots
I bought a pair of Altama Maritime Assault Mid Boots a few years ago, right before a trip to Iceland. They market them as “boots,” but to me they’re more like a rugged, upgraded sneaker—almost a modern take on the old Converse Chucks we used to wear back in the day. I loved those shoes, and I love these just as much.
These boots have been around the world with me: Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and all over the U.S. They’re finally reaching the end of their life, and after my trip to the Caribbean in February, they’ll probably need a proper retirement. And yes—I'll be replacing them with another pair of the exact same thing. I like them that much.
They’re not waterproof, but they’re not supposed to be. They drain quickly and dry fast, which is exactly what they’re designed for. They run a little loose on my feet, and I simply added a more comfortable insole on top of the factory rubber insole, and that made them perfect. I could still remove the extra insole when I needed them as true water shoes, which worked great in the Costa Rican jungle.
I have a simple shoe philosophy:
In Washington State, where I live, I want waterproof footwear because we’re constantly dealing with wet foliage and relentless rain.
When traveling somewhere warm, where I expect water crossings or soaked feet, I want shoes that drain fast and dry fast. Waterproof boots in a jungle are misery—your feet sweat, and if water gets in over the top, it stays trapped. No thanks.
That’s my approach. What’s yours? How do you choose your footwear for travel and adventure?
