Best Timberland Shoes For Men in 2022

How We Chose Our Selection of Timberland Shoes

• Versatility - Timberland shoes like the Powertrain Sport and the PRO Disruptor Oxford profiled above are just as comfortable at work as they are in the park, on the trail or at school. Versatility is one of the hallmarks of the entire Timberline men’s footwear collection and we give extra weight to those models that best express the company’s ethos of far reaching applicability.
• Design - Timberland did not invent any of the shoe categories it dominates today. So we don’t expect them to revolutionize footwear design, but we greatly appreciate all the ways they continue to improve existing forms.
• Quality - Lack of quality is almost never an issue when it comes to Timberland shoes. Typically if someone is complaining about a Timberland shoe or boot falling apart it’s because they have purchased one of the many knockoffs flooding the market without realizing it.
• Price - Timberland shoes and work boots are not cheap. But when you consider the quality of the materials and workmanship that go into them they are one of the best footwear values you’ll find, period.

Features To Look For In Timberland Shoes

Below we’ll take a look at some of the features you’ll want to look for when shopping for Timberland shoes.

• Size/Fit - Timberland boots and shoes have a history of fitting a bit large. Meaning if you typically take an 8 1/2 shoe or boot you should consider trying an 8 when it comes to Timberland. This is not a hard and fast rule but just a word of advice.
• Comfort - Whether boat shoes, hiking shoes, work boots or Timberland sandals their footwear is known for its comfort. Their SensorFlex and Anti-Fatigue technologies create some of the most comfortable shoes around. Chances are very good you’re not going to have any issues with the comfort of your Timberland shoes.
• Material - Timberland shoes are typically made using first-class materials including genuine leather and suede, rubber, wool, down and on occasion, fur. The company is also committed to responsible sourcing and, as an example, make sure all their leather products come from cattle raised specifically for food purposes, rather than just to be skinned. After being acquired by VF in 2011 Timberland adopted the new parent company’s proactive sourcing guidelines.
• Durability - When you’re looking for hiking or work shoes in particular you want to be sure they’ll stand up to the challenge of job or trail. When you inspect a pair of Timberland boots you’ll notice triple and even quadruple stitching, beautifully sealed seams all around, robust stainless steel eyelets and genuine Vibram soles.
• Weight - Weight becomes a factor when it comes to hiking and work boots. Being on your feet all day whether on the trail or on the jobsite is draining enough without your boots acting like a pair of concrete blocks at the end of your legs. Timberland offers a variety of different boot styles at a variety of different weights. Make sure you don’t ignore this important consideration when purchasing your hiking or work boots.
• Waterproofness - Whether work boots, hiking boots or boat shoes it’s important that your shoes are able to stand up to the elements. Being cold and tired is bad enough, but being cold and tired and having your feet sloshing around in sopping wet shoes or boots redefines discomfort. Fortunately, Timberland was a pioneer in the development of waterproof shoes, a tradition they proudly carry on to this day.
• Protective Toes - Not such a big concern where boat shoes and Timberland sandals are concerned but very much an issue when it comes to work boots. Timberland offer a huge variety of different style work shoes and boots with either steel or composite reinforced toes that offer maximum protection from worksite hazards.

Timberland: About the Brand

Judging by the level of market penetration and cultural visibility Timberland footwear enjoys today you might be tempted to think it was always this way. Actually, it’s been a long and winding road to success for Timberland and one that has benefitted from being in the right place at the right time.

Early Years

In 1952 a man named Nathan Swartz purchased a 50% share in what was called at the time the Abington Shoe Company. At that time Abington mostly made shoes on contract for other companies. After 3 years of getting to know the shoe business and assessing Abington’s potential Swartz bought out the rest of the shareholders in 1955. By the late 1960s Abington had outgrown its facility and moved into a larger one in Newmarket, New Hampshire.

Birth of Timberland

Abington changed its name to Timberland in 1973. Innovations and new product lines followed in the late 70s and by the mid-80s Timberland was experiencing rapid expansion both at home and abroad. They opened a new factory in Tennessee and entered the European market; first in Italy and then spreading across the continent. By 1985 they had sold their 1 millionth pair of shoes.

1990s to the Present

During the 1990s the company continued to experience rapid expansion and ventured into other products including watches, backpacks and more. Their popularity exploded when high visibility rappers began wearing Timberland boots in music videos and on stage. At first the company rejected this new market but in time came to see the wisdom of embracing alternative demographics. In 2006 they bought the Welsh clothing company Howies and expanded their product footprint in the UK. Finally, in 2011 Timberland was purchased by VF Corporation for nearly $2 billion.

Timberland Shoe FAQ

Q: Why choose Timberland footwear?

• Quality materials - No one who knows better is going to dispute the quality of materials that go into even the simplest pair of Timberland shoes. Genuine leather, wool, rubber, cotton as well as high quality acrylics and more mean your Timberland footwear isn’t going to suffer material fatigue 2 months after you unbox them like many other shoes will.
• Quality workmanship - No other brand of mass market footwear can compete with the build quality on display in Timberland shoes. Even after 30 years and more of aggressive expansion the company has not lost sight of the standards that made their name in the early days.
• They’re cool - What’s that? Work boots are cool? You better believe it. After initially offering a cold shoulder to the rappers who were making their footwear products a household name in the 1990s Timberland finally came around to the wisdom of not biting the hand that was feeding them. Today they collaborate with a number of streetwear brands, sponsor rap tours and point proudly to their product when it appears in hip hop videos.

Q: How to maintain Timberland footwear?

A: When you purchase a pair of Timberland shoes or boots it’s important that you know the right way to care for them.

• Leather - If you have purchased leather Timberland boots we recommend you get acquainted with their Waximum Waxed Leather Protector. This waterproofing treatment is easy to apply and works to soften and protect the leather without compromising the breathability of the footwear. One word of caution: don’t use it on suede or nubuck.
• Suede and nubuck - For suede and nubuck there are a number of different ways to care for your Timberland shoes. Shoes that are lightly soiled can be cleaned with a nubuck cloth which has a special cleaner built into its fibers. Timberland also makes their own nubuck and suede restoration items that can be purchased through their website.
• Canvas - Canvas shoes typically suffer most at the hands of water. While leather shoes, suede and nubuck are no fans of water themselves it’s canvas that takes the hardest hit from H2O. Not to fear though, your canvas Timberlands don’t need to rot out from under you.

To begin with canvas fabric typically has acrylic fibers woven into it these days which help repel some water. Beyond that though there are dozens of different shoe protector sprays commercially available and the sooner you apply such a product after purchasing your canvas Timberland shoes the better.