I have had a two year relationship with NORTIV 8 hiking boots. Previously, I have reviewed two different hiking boots. I enjoyed using them immensely, and both pairs are still going strong. Therefore, when they reached out with a new collaboration, I did not hesitate to try their latest pair. NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof hiking boots Pro, like the last two pairs, did not disappoint, and I used them exclusively during a five week trip in South America that culminated by hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof hiking boots helped me to the top of Machu Picchu.
Mindo Cloud Forest in Ecuador
My first adventure was to land in Quito, which is the capital of Ecuador. After acclimating a bit to Ecuador, I jumped on a bus and headed north to the Mindo Cloud forest for a week of hiking and birding. My first two days, I stayed at the Refugio Paz de Las Aves. This eco-lodge was located higher up in the cloud forest. I birded three days here and each day was as amazing as the next. We saw mountain tanagers, antpittas, toucanets and mountain toucans, and many more species.
Plate-billed mountain toucans in the Mindo Cloud was forest was one of the birding highlights.
Related: Best affordable hiking boots could be the Nortiv8 Armadillo
These first three days did not consist of too much hard core hiking; however, when searching for antpittas, we sometimes hiked down muddy steep slopes, so I was happy to have the quality tread that NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof hiking boots came with.
Hiking the Mindo Cloud Forest.
Mindo Cloud Forest Yellow House Trails
The last three days, I birded and hiked on my own at the Yellow House. These trails were lower in elevation and close to the village of Mindo. They had a network of trails that led up higher into the cloud forest. These trails went up higher into the cloud forest. The trails here were not too steep, but they did gain elevation. I was really impressed how light the boots were, and how comfortable they were. I never experienced sore feet or blisters.
Wearing the NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof boots on the Galápagos Islands. Darwin would have been impressed.
The Galápagos Islands adventure
The next five nights consisted of exploring the Galápagos Islands. The first three nights was on a cruise ship with Intrepid Travel, and the last two nights I stayed in Puerto Ayaro, the main town on Santa Cruz. Since I was mostly on a cruise ship, and these were islands, we did not do a whole lot of hiking. We did a lot of snorkeling; however, we did a little bit of hiking on a few islands, so I was glad to have the boots. The Galápagos Islands are volcanic in nature, so the rocks can be uneven and hard on your feet, so the boots were great for navigating this terrain. Darwin would have been impressed with these hiking boots.
Inca Trail adventure.
NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof hiking boots conquer Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
The toughest part of my five weeks in South America, from a hiking standpoint, was my three night four day tour on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This adventure started with a 50 kilometer bike ride down a mountain pass, and then white water rafting, but after that it was primarily hiking and more hiking. The Sexy Llamas, our group name, hiked three rough days through the Andes, to make it to Machu Picchu. This culminated in a 2,000 step hike straight up to the entrance.
Related: Hiking Pipeline Road Panama with Nortiv 8 hiking boots
The 2,000 steps up were probably the easiest part. We hiked some very treacherous terrain with steep drop offs. Our guide implored to us to stop to take pictures because a main had lost his life trying to take a picture while walking and stumbled off a cliff. This news made me even more happy that I had such great tread from the NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof hiking boots.
The NORTIV 8 men’s hiking boots helped me attain this view of Machu Picchu.
The mad rush for Machu Picchu tickets
Most of our group did not purchase Machu Picchu tickets in advance. They were sold out through August. Fortunately, the Peru Tourism office freed up 1,000 tickets per day at a first come first serve basis at their ticket office in Aguas Caliente. In order to get a good spot in line for the ticket office that opens at 6:00 a.m., we had to walk over two hours in the dark on a railroad track starting at 2:00 a.m. from Santa Teresa. If you have ever walked one a railroad track, you know how uneven and awkward it can be. I was thankful to have such comfortable shows with good tread.
These views never get old.
Visiting Machu Picchu
All of these hardships were definitely worth it once we got atop Machu Picchu. It is a once in a lifetime experience, and a world wonder that is not overrated. We also did a lot of walking through the ruins, so the job of the NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof hiking boots was not over yet. Once the experience was over, it was down another 2,000 steps and then a half mile walk back to Aguas Caliente. What an adventure this was. Having comfortable, lightweight shoes, with great tread was a huge plus. We did not experience any rain or wet conditions, but it was good to know the boots are waterproof in case we did.
The price of the NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof hiking boots Pro will make you smile.
Related: Hiking to Machu Picchu, for the love of the Inca Trail
NORTIV 8 men’s waterproof hiking boots price is perhaps the top selling point
The best part about these hiking boots besides all the perks I mentioned above, is the price. Every five years or so, I have been accustomed to spending over $200.00 for a good pair of hiking boots at REI. This is no longer the case. Every NORTIV 8 hiking boot I have reviewed has been well under $100.00. Order yours today.
Adventure on!
