Walking Boots

Helly Hansen Cascade Helly Tech Mid Boots | Review

Looking for budget-friendly hiking boots that are light, comfortable, and built with recycled materials? Here’s my full test of the Helly Hansen Cascade Mid Cut.

Chances are that you’re here because you need a new pair of boots, you’re on a budget and are considering the Helly Hansen Cascade for their wallet-friendly pricing. But you’re wondering whether they’re actually going to be any good. Well, I can help you there with my own verdict on them.

The Top Line

These are very light, they have a wide toe box which adds a lot of comfort (though it might not be ideal for those with narrow feet) and they have many of the qualities you’d want from a three-season hiking boot. I haven’t had any issues with durability so far, but I wouldn’t describe them as the most robust boots out there.

Buy the Helly Hansen Cascade: £112 at Hellyhansen.com

Looking for more boots? Check out our full guide to the best walking boots of the year.

How I Tested The Helly Hansen Cascade Helly Tech Mid Cut Hiking Boot

I’ve used these through a diverse range of situations. The most extreme was a hiking trip in British Columbia where I was given rare permission as part of Helly’s Summit Sleepover to wild camp on Whistler Mountain – a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve also been wearing the Cascade while surveying routes in the Welsh mountains for a guidebook I’m working on, and for daily dog walks in the pine forest near my home.

Performance

I was instantly struck by the comfort of the Cascade when I first pulled it on. It’s snug around the heel, ankle and midfoot but then relaxed around the toes, giving plenty of wiggle room or space for foot splay from high mileage. I wore them straight out of the box on a 10-kilometre hike over mountainous terrain and they gave me no issues at all – so I personally didn’t find that they needed breaking in.

Images from Will’s test trip in Whistler.

The other thing that struck me was how light these feel. At 430g per boot, they’re at the lightweight end of the scale with the likes of the Inov-8 Roclite, the Haglöfs LIM XT and the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0.

The upper is made from a lightweight synthetic mesh with Thermoplastic Polyurethane overlays and foam around the ankle and heel. The toe bumper is fairly protective, but it doesn’t quite offer the same levels of protection or durability that you’d get from a rubber bumper.

Underfoot, the Cascade blocks out pointy things nicely, giving me confidence when striding over rocky trails. I’d rate it about 4/10 in terms of the level of stiffness, so you get a degree of support over longer days out on uneven ground, but with enough flex to still feel nimble and comfortable on gentler trails and faster-paced hikes.

Not made for snow but with enough grip to handle small snow patches.

The shock absorption and cushioning are fairly moderate too – you don’t get Hoka levels of plushness, but it’s not a minimalist boot in that department either.

I’ve found the grip to be reliable on a range of surfaces. It’s not the chunkiest of treads, but it can still bite reliably on muddy or gravelly slopes. I think the slight heel brake definitely helps there. The compound has traction on dry rock and on a bit of wet stuff too – though, like most boots, it has its limitations.

Sustainability

A lot of hiking footwear falls a bit short when it comes to sustainability. It’s good to see Helly Hansen taking some steps here to reduce their environmental impact, with 70% of the upper made from recycled plastic, 30% recycled rubber in the outsole and 30% recycled EVA in the midsole.

Is The Helly Hansen Cascade Boot Waterproof?

The Norwegian brand has deployed its Helly Tech waterproof membrane here, so you can count on the Cascade boot providing waterproof protection. This wraps right around the foot and extends through the gusseted sides of the tongue. I’ve worn my pair through bogs and while skipping across small mountain streams, and I haven’t had any issues.

As a fairly thin and light boot, it also feels breathable and cool. I haven’t noticed my feet getting overly clammy while hiking in the Cascade. There’s some sweat build-up on hot days, which I find generally unavoidable with membrane-lined boots.

Verdict

From my experience, this boot mainly suits hiking on trails in cool to warm conditions. It’s perfect for, say, a summer hike up Scafell Pike, Pen y Fan, Ben Lomond or Helvellyn, and it’s casual and comfortable enough to wear daily as a boot to keep you ready and raring for an impromptu country walk. It can handle off-trail stuff, though I wouldn’t want to put its light upper through too much brush or anything else likely to cause abrasion or a puncture.

Overall then, I think the current market price is good value for money. It’s a comfortable and fast-feeling boot, and it’s backed up with some decent eco credentials too.

Buy the Helly Hansen Cascade: £112 at Hellyhansen.com