Here’s our full review of the Odyssey Extreme hiking boots from Mountain Warehouse. After thorough testing, we’re now ready to share our thoughts on what could be your next pair of all-rounders.
It can be difficult to find hiking footwear that covers all needs. As regular travellers, we’re after walking boots that can do everything – we want them to be light enough to pack in our rucksacks, breathable enough to cover most climates, and sturdy enough to withstand everything thrown at them. It goes without saying that they also need to be suitable for rocky trails, moorlands, and fells – on top of our day-to-day adventures.
Over the last couple of months, we’ve heavily tested the Mountain Warehouse Odyssey Extreme boots to see if they meet our list of requirements. The MW team were kind enough to send us a pair of boots each, so we’ve had the chance to really pick them apart.
Here’s our full review of the Odyssey Extreme hiking boots from Mountain Warehouse. We’ve covered the boot’s features, fit, durability, and more, but if you have any further questions feel free to send us a message over on Instagram – @adventurepending.
The Odyssey Extremes are an all-weather walking boot from Mountain Warehouse’s premium footwear range. Designed to perform under pressure, these boots have plenty of features to support your outdoor adventures.
For us, one of the most important aspects of any walking boot is its ability to withstand wet weather conditions – and if you’ve ever visited the Lake District, you’ll understand why.
The Odysseys are made with a 2mm nubuck leather that’s treated with an IsoDry membrane – in other words, a strong leather outer with added water repellency. We’ve never experienced water infiltration when wearing these boots, but we’d still recommend regularly cleaning and re-proofing yours to keep them working at their best.
These boots also have a super high traction Vibram outsole which is great if you appreciate a little extra support when out on the trails. This isn’t to say the Odysseys have the most technical sole we’ve ever seen, but they certainly offer more grip than most budget hiking boots on the market.
We’d go as far to say the Odysseys are pretty stylish, and we appreciate they’re available in both Dark Grey and Brown colourways. To improve yours, we’d simply suggest fitting them with a sturdier pair of laces.
Your feet are sure to stay dry and comfortable in these walking boots largely thanks to the Odyssey’s IsoDry membrane and antibacterial insole power combo. Even on strenuous hikes, you should find that your feet remain happy. EVA cushioning helps the insoles to mould to the shape of your feet, providing a unique fit for every wearer.
To support your boots, we recommend wearing a good pair of walking socks and changing them regularly over the course of your walk. Talcum powder can be used to maintain a fresh feel.
Thanks to sturdy outers, you should also find that your ankles feel well-supported in these Mountain Warehouse boots. Make sure to tie your laces well enough that they provide a snug yet comfortable feel.
If you’re searching for a review of the Odyssey Extreme hiking boots, you’re likely looking for details on sizing. We’re happy to report these boots are true to size, and the Mountain Warehouse range includes plenty of half sizes to really demonstrate the quality on offer here.
The women’s Odysseys are available in UK sizes 3-9, with half sizes available the whole way through. The men’s counterparts are sold in UK sizes 6-13, with half-sizes 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 available. Adam usually wears wide footwear which is not available in this range, but he still found his boots fitted pretty well.
The Odyssey boots are made with a 2mm brushed nubuck leather upper, leather tongue and strong collar lining. This trio performs well in tough conditions and provides plenty of ankle support.
We’ve found these materials are easy to clean and maintain using the right equipment. You should consider purchasing a nubuck-specific waterproofing spray alongside your new footwear, which will help them stay looking and performing at their best.
Our one concern with these boots (and with most pairs of budget walking boots, for that matter), is their durability. They’re maybe not the best fit if you’re out on the fells every weekend, but better suited to those who simply need a good all-around pair of boots on hand every now and then.
Judging by other reviews of the Odysseys, many choose to repurchase them as they start to show signs of wear and tear – which may not be the best economical or environmental strategy for regular hikers.
Hiking boots are always difficult to wear in, and it’s no different here. It goes without saying that you will need to head out on a few shorter walks in the Odysseys before attempting anything further – we took these boots on several 2-4 mile walks to soften the leather first.
Once comfortable, we found these Mountain Warehouse boots to perform very well. The chunky Vibram sole thrived on even the muddiest of winter walks, and the EVA cushioning provided good levels of comfort. We recommend pairing your boots with a pair of Enertor insoles for added support.
The Odyssey Extreme boots from Mountain Warehouse are a perfect middle-of-the-road boot. If you’re looking for walking footwear on a budget or simply need a good grab-and-go pair of boots, we’d highly recommend giving these a try.
You will notice that we’ve provided plenty of suggestions for maintaining the Odysseys throughout this article – that’s because we believe they could be a really strong performer for most hiking enthusiasts when looked after correctly. As with any pair of walking boots, these will need regular servicing to keep them working at full speed!
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