J.Crew’s Newest Boot Beats Out Options from Better-Known Bootmakers

Want a hefty hiking boot, but don’t want to pay full price? J.Crew’s Cascade Boot costs half as much as its foes.

Published October 12, 2022

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Updated October 12, 2022

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There are two types of hiking boots: the more technical versions of the style; and the old-school hiking boots with the alpine prowess that made them popular in the first place. You know, things like sturdy soles, heel support, leather uppers and lace-to-toe closures. Although they may not be as comfortable as the technical types, they’re still as hardworking as they are good-looking.

That’s especially true for J.Crew’s new Cascade Boot, a clear riff on the hiker styles that came before it — like Danner’s Mountain Light or Paraboot’s Avoriaz. The kicker, though, is that J.Crew’s Cascade Boot costs half as much, if not even less, than the two aforementioned boots. ($228 versus $440 and $476, respectively.)

J.Crew Cascade Boot

$298.00 at J Crew

Pros

Vibram outsole is on par with pricier boots
Boots are super-comfortable, even after you've been on your feet all day
Tumbled leather wears in nicely

Cons

'Made in China' might deter fans of American-made

What’s Good About the J.Crew Cascade Boot

It’s well-made.

Most folks probably don’t think of durable footwear when they think of J.Crew — just basics (but they’re getting better). Sure, the brand has done a number of collabs — with New Balance and Diemme — but its own in-house designs have never really caught on, except for the 1990 MacAlister Boot, a suede chukka that’s popular with J.Crew’s repeat shoppers.

The Cascade Boot, however, is a serious step up. It’s hefty, with a weight you’d expect from a better-known bootmaker (like Danner or Filson). The upper is made from tumbled leather — the collar is too — and the hardware feels like it’ll last, even as you zip through lacing its speed hooks. It’s all put together using a stitchdown construction and a double welt, too. Stitchdown construction, as the name implies, features an upper stitched down to the midsole. One of the oldest construction methods still widely used, it was developed in Dutch South Africa.

That same midsole sits atop a Vibram outsole, the maker of the original rubberized hiking outsole. They existed earlier on, but they were flat, which meant traction control was, well, subpar at best.

It looks like a heritage design.

Like I said, there are lots of boots that look like these. In fact, on more than a few occasions older folks said “I used to have a pair like those,” or “Are those Danners?” They look a hell of a lot like those — and Diemme’s and Paraboot’s and Fracap’s — especially if your pant leg covers the top collar. That’s the distinguishing feature, in my opinion, that separates these from those.

Otherwise, these look totally old — in a good way. The outsole has the same separated and raised heel, and the boots arrive laced with bright red hiking laces. You can, however, like I did, switch them out for a green set, which is included in the box.

It’s unexpectedly comfortable — even for a hiker.

On a recent trip to Colorado, I couldn’t pack too much. I had a wedding to attend and a few other events I needed to dress up for — that meant I needed two suits, shirts and dress shoes. (These things take up a lot of space inside a suitcase.)

It was also fall, which meant cooler temps and, well, falling leaves — and, unlike the rest of the year in colorful Colorado, a little bit of rain. Boots made the most sense, but I needed a pair that I could potentially hike in, too. These fit the bill, but I also wore them the rest of the trip. They were just about as comfortable as my favorite sneakers (Converse Chuck 70s), and they looked a little more polished, which was perfect for the time between events where I’d see in-laws and other event-goers.

It’s affordable, especially compared to competitors’ designs.

J.Crew’s Cascade Boot is only $298. Sure, that’s not nothing, but it’s a full $200 less than like boots from bigger (at least in terms of bootmaking) brands. And for those who’ll say, well, “J.Crew just isn’t as good,” ask 18East Antonio K. Ciongoli about its quality control.

“The call outs of bad quality always highlight to me just how little most people know about what real quality actually looks like,” he said on a chat forum (as pointed out by style writer Derek Guy). They’re able to use the same vendors and materials as “better” brands but order their designs at a larger scale, making them cheaper for you, the consumer.

What’s Not So Good About the J.Crew Cascade Boot

‘Made in China’ might deter American-made fans.

Grant Stone knows this dilemma well. While the J.Crew website just says “Imported,” a tag inside the boot plainly states… “Made in China.” But that’s not a bad thing. Plenty of well-made things come from factories in China, subverting a long-standing misconception that Chinese products are naturally bad.

They dyed my socks.

My only real complaint after more than a month wearing these was that, even now, they dye my socks. The tongue folds over itself so there’s black leather material that forms a V-shape underneath. Every time I take them off, I see this exact shape screen-printed onto my socks — even my favorite, kind-of-cream colored ones. A wash didn’t fix them, but who cares, I guess? They’ll be my boot socks from now on.

J.Crew Cascade Boot Verdict

If you like how hikers look but don’t want to spend the better half of a thousand dollars on a pair, go with these. They’re just as well-made and equally as (if not more) comfortable.