Verdict from 2 experts and 29 user reviews
7 reasons to buy
- Many owners were deeply impressed with the Ascend’s excellent level of comfort. Most of them linked this particular quality to the hiking boot’s footbed made of memory foam.
- This Pacific Mountain footgear was commended by expert reviewers for being unbelievably light.
- Its ability to stay weatherproof was admired by some users.
- Professional shoe critics applauded the affordable asking price of the Ascend.
- Less than a handful of wearers loved the boot for having a true-to-size fit.
- A few backpackers were able to triumph over slippery surfaces with the gear’s rubber outsole.
- The Pacific Mountain Ascend floored a reputable blogger with its outstanding overall support.
1 reason not to buy
- A gear critic wasn’t convinced that this pair of boots would provide enough breathability to keep her feet cool in warmer months.
Bottom line
Pacific Mountain may be fairly new in the hiking world, but what they ended up making in the Ascend is nothing short of brilliant especially in terms of comfort and waterproofing. The amazing lightness and great affordability also make the boot compelling to own. Unfortunately, this Pacific Mountain footgear may not be ideal to wear in hotter temperatures. To sum up, with its only drawback out of the way, the Ascend lives up to its moniker in that it rises to meet the demands of the great outdoors.
Tip: see the best hiking boots.
Good to know
- The Pacific Mountain Ascend is designed for moderate to semi-advanced backpacking adventures. Its combination of technologies—the boot’s rigid midsole and cushy memory foam footbed, to name a few—sees to it that such expeditions become safe and comfortable for the wearer.
- Its supportive upper confines the foot in a mostly (cow) suede leather enclosure. It comes engineered with a waterproof membrane to protect users from virtually all kinds of wet elements.
Pacific Mountain’s Ascend is a mid-cut footgear for both male and female trekkers. Its generally true-to-size fit favors those with standard-width feet. It comes in a range of full and half sizes. The boot allows for fit personalization thanks to its quick lace-up closure. An adequately padded interior, especially around the collar, gives the foot a plush in-shoe feel.
Backpackers are given the ability to navigate tricky surfaces with sufficient slip resistance with the boot’s MultiGrip outsole. Its lugs are formed into a geometry that enables users to maintain their footing, may they be ascending or descending slopes. For additional control during descents, this sturdy layer is engineered with a heel brake. For extra toe protection, on the other hand, Pacific Mountain gear designers opted to extend the outsole’s tip toward the forefoot end of the boot.
The Ascend uses an EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) midsole for stability, cushioning, and shock absorption over challenging terrain. It comes embedded with a 3/4 steel shank—a plate-like component that strengthens the midsole’s medial section, providing backpackers with improved arch support.
Bolstering the comfort level offered by the midsole is the boot’s default footbed. Since it is made of memory foam, this removable insole gets to provide a personalized kind of comfort with time. It also grants additional heel support with its cupped design.
Suede leather (cowhide) and high-density fabric constitute most of the Pacific Mountain Ascend’s upper. It has a heel counter made of PU or polyurethane and a toe bumper made of rubber. For weather protection, it is imbued with a waterproof membrane.
Volume adjustments and lockdown security are possible thanks to the boot’s lacing system. It features rust-proof combination eyelets, the upper ones of which—the open hooks—allow for quick lace-ups.
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