Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneaker review: Comfortable, stylish and no break-in period

I hiked 25 miles in the new Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof hiking sneakers, and I don't plan on hitting the trails in anything but these anytime soon. Moderately priced, stylish, comfortable, durable and waterproof, these sneakers check all the boxes and then some.

They also have almost no break-in period, something that is essentially unheard of in the world of hiking shoes/boots. And, despite being called "sneakers" by Timberland, the Motion Access Mids look and wear more like a pair of trendy hiking boots than trail shoes.

I wore the Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers in pouring forest rain, along dusty mountain trails, in the mean city streets and even in social settings. With 25 miles behind me and nothing but positive impressions, here's everything you need to know about Timberland's brilliant new hiking sneakers.

Timberland Motion Access Mid Sneaker review: Price and availability

The Timberland Motion Access Mid Lace-Up Waterproof Sneaker is available now for $149 directly from Timberland in men's styles/sizing only. Choose from black (shown here), white, light grey or olive.

I tested the medium-width version of the Motion Access Mid. The Timberland site hints at a "wide" version, but as of publishing, no styles or sizes are available.

Timberland Motion Access Mid Sneaker review: Design

Timberland's Motion Access Sneaker line comes in a bunch of varieties, including both low and mid, and with or without waterproofing. For this review, I'm focusing specifically on the Motion Access Mid Waterproof Lace-up Sneakers.

Weighing roughly 17 ounces per shoe, these hiking sneakers are a little heavier than many of the best hiking boots we've reviewed, including the 14-ounce Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX boots — another favorite of mine — and 14-ounce Salewa Pedroc Pro PowerTex Mid PTX, a top choice for speed hikers. Still, I don't find the Timberlands heavy on my feet.

With a stylish silhouette and oversized midsole, Timberland's latest Motion Access Sneakers are also far less granola-looking than the brand's Motion Access Hiking Boots. And that's the point.

The Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers are meant to look just as fly on the trailhead as they do at the post-hike watering hole, allowing you to seamlessly transition from outdoor adventurer to hipster socialite without so much as untying a lace.

I'm a big fan of the all-black color option. Maybe it's all the years I spent living in New York City, but black-on-black always looks classy in my mind. I also seriously dig the embossed Timberland logo near the heel of the sneaker.

In terms of materials, these fully waterproof bad boys feature a mix of high-quality leather and synthetic fabrics, including a healthy amount of "TimberDry," an impermeable textile similar to GORE-TEX and made from 50% recycled plastic.

Upper and tongue

I love mid-style hiking boots and sneakers. As someone prone to rolling an ankle thanks to a youth spent skateboarding, I need the stability and support. Sure, high-tops are an option, but I feel just a little too locked in when wearing them. Plus, I'm not a fan of anything overly clunky footwear (unless we're talking Doc Martens).

The Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers provide adequate ankle support, keeping my flimsy lateral ligaments from overextending all but once during the testing period.

I tend to tie my hiking footwear pretty darn tight to avoid such events, and was pleased by how snug I could get the Timberlands. It's worth noting that I swapped out the provided laces for a pair of tougher hiking boot laces ($5) shown here.

The upper, like the rest of the sneaker, is made from a mix of leather and synthetic materials. Overall, there's a decent amount of cushioning to keep your ankle comfortable, even with the laces secured tightly. A handy nylon pull loop on the back makes it easy to guide your foot into the shoe.

The tongue of the sneaker is squishy and flexible and features the same TimberDry waterproof outer found on the rest of the sneaker. The lower lace loops are nylon, while the upper two are mounted metal hardware. Users can either thread their laces through the hardware or around the outside (see below).

Midsole and heel

Thanks to a roughly 1.25-inch-thick EVA foam midsole, the Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers are extremely comfortable and well-cushioned, even when walking on rough terrain like jagged rocks. While there are springier hiking shoes out there, I found these to be plenty responsive with decent energy rebound.

A plastic heel counter around the back provides added stability, something that's crucial when you have such a thick midsole.

Outsole

The Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers feature the brand's TimberGrip outsole, which consists of varying-sized rubber Xs that protrude a generous amount. It proved incredibly grippy in the numerous slick situations I encountered, including the steep and slippery streets of Seattle, Washington.

The TimberGrip extends nearly a half-inch beyond the rear of the sneaker and a similar amount up and around the front, adding much-appreciated toe protection. The extra front grip also makes it easy to dig your toe into especially steep terrain for traction.

Timberland Motion Access Mid Sneaker review: Fit

I was skeptical the first time I put the Timberland Motion Access Mids on. Why? Rather than taking my time to properly break them in before hitting the trail — I like to do this by wearing the shoes/boots around the house and neighborhood for a month or so — I instead laced the sneakers up and immediately went on a hike.

Rarely one the break the cardinal rule of comfort, I was pleasantly surprised that my feet felt fantastic for the duration of my trek up Dog Mountain in Washington's Columbia River Gorge. Better yet, several hours after that hike, I was still rocking the Motion Access Mids joyfully and willingly.

Timberland's sizing for these sneakers strikes me as right on the money. I tend to wear between a U.S. men's size 9 and 10 in hiking shoes/boots, and opted for a 9.5 this time around with no regrets.

Despite a super-comfortable design overall, I was somewhat surprised when I pulled the insole and found it to be a little more than a basic foam pad. Still, it seems pretty darn durable, showing virtually no signs of wear after the first 25 miles of trekking.

Timberland Motion Access Mid Sneaker review: Performance

The Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers impressed me in every situation I tested them. This includes epic hikes on both coasts of North America — one hot, dry and dusty, and the other cold, dreary and moist. I also wore them while running errands and meeting friends in Seattle, Washington, and during several urban hikes.

As noted above, I neglected to break these puppies in before hitting the trail and paid zero price. This is something entirely new to me when it comes to hiking footwear.

While your mileage will no doubt vary depending on factors like foot size and comfort expectations, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these to anyone who loathes the dreaded break-in period.

The Timberland Motion Access Mids also blew me out of the water in terms of weatherproofing. During my extremely wet hike in New York's Catskill Mountains — where I was testing the latest AllTrails' features — I was one of the only folks in our group without wet feet when all was said and done.

And it's not like I was avoiding water. No. Quite the contrary — I was sloshing and stomping through every puddle and stream I could find, all to put these sneakers to the test, for you, dear readers. (Don't worry, I made sure not to splash my fellow hikers.)

In addition to keeping water out, the Timberlands did a good job of keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground by way of those reliably grippy outsole. Simply put, I did not slip while testing these sneakers.

They also provided just the right amount of support and stability for my liking, keeping my ankles (mostly) in check on even the most unstable terrain. Similarly, despite a tendency to smash my toes into rocks and tree roots like it's a job, the oversized outsole did a fab job protecting my dogs from inevitable impact.

Should you buy the Timberland Motion Access Mid Sneakers?

With a cost of $150, the Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof hiking sneakers aren't a bargain, but they're also not a total bank-breaker, especially when you consider what you're getting.

Though I've only put 25 miles on them, I intend to keep wearing these shoes all hiking season long and will update this review with a wear report down the road. Still, based on my testing so far, I suspect these Timberlands will last a very long time. I tend to be quite rough on footwear, and so far, I see almost zero signs of wear except on the laces (which are, again, $5 to replace). Even the outsoles look brand-new.

Ultimately, the Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers are ideal for folks looking to invest in a no-compromise pair of hiking boots or shoes that excel in wet and dry conditions with good stability, traction, responsiveness and comfort, all while looking fly both on and off the trail.

Of course, the Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers are also an obvious choice for anyone who hates the break-in period. One final note: Don't be fooled by the name. Even though Timberland calls these "sneakers," I still stand by the fact that they look and wear more like modern hiking boots than trail shoes.

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