Ahnu Sugarpine II Review

Ahnu Sugarpine Overview

Lightweight and strong, cute, and surprisingly capable, the Ahnu Sugarpine II WP might just be the hiking boots of your dreams, you just don’t know it yet.

The Sugarpine II boots are only made for women, which gives them a decidedly female feel that most hiking footwear is lacking — they feel as if they were crafted for me, personally. Uphill or downhill, the Sugarpine II are comfortable and versatile, providing support in hot California mountains and snow-filled Pacific Northwest forests.

Since everyone’s feet are so different, Backpackers.com does not assign awards for footwear, but we would recommend most women start their search with a single hiking boot: the Ahnu Sugarpine II WP. Due to the weight, breathability, and good looks, these waterproof dynamo boots are ideal for adventurers of all kinds, and work for Wilderness Backpackers, Ultralight Backpackers, Day Hikers, Car Campers, Urban Hikers.

See where these boots fall on our Best Hiking Boots guide, and read the full Ahnu Sugarpine II WP review below.

Ahnu Sugarpine II Specifications

Gear Review of the Ahnu Sugarpine II

Origins: Easing You In

Let’s be real: I am not sponsored by Ahnu in any way, so what I am about to tell you is completely from the bottom of my heart (er, soles?): The Sugarpine II waterproof boots are my new favorite shoes.

Literally jumping for joy in the Ahnu Sugarpine boots.

Before being asked to do the review I was already breaking in a pair of Ahnu Montara boots I scored at the REI garage sale — an older, slightly heavier version. They gave me some gnarly blisters after climbing up Mount Si, so I was slightly hesitant when asked to review the lighter, more breathable version. But the boots were appealing, so I slipped them on.

A little bit about my hiking style: I’m a hopper, a skipper, a jumper. In turn, that makes me an occasional faller, and someone who needs lightweight yet sturdy shoes. Until I found the Ahnu Sugarpine II WP boots I lived in a world of shoe-compromise. On a typical hike I would bring two pairs of shoes — a boot for hiking and a trail shoe for quicker, more technical sections. If the weather and trail permitted, I would sometimes bring a pair of sandals, but I digress.

With many months to test the Ahnu Sugarpine boots, I made sure to take them on as many adventures as possible. We slid down dusty trails, hiked up steep snowy rocks, power-walked urban streets, and jogged (yes, jogged!) down forested switchbacks. In a given week I put about 10 miles on them. These boots went everywhere with me and, quite frankly, they will continue to do so.

Ahnu Sugarpine boots over the Pacific.

Revelation: The Moment I Knew

While my general revelation is a series of happy feet adventures, the Ahnu Sugarpine boots and I will always share a special day that really signifies our time together.

A friend and I decided to go on a last-minute hike in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to celebrate the weekend and hopefully come across some sunshine. Seattle was living up to expectations and the gray was very…gray.

The trailhead was packed, as were the trails. People were soaking in their last bit of pre-winter weather. I wore medium-thick wool socks and doubled-tied my Ahnu Sugarpine II boots. We headed up the four-mile Granite Mountain trail, gaining 3,700 feet in elevation. The first two miles were forested switchbacks, climbing up and up, until a break in the trees, offering a breath of fresh air and the bright blue sky! All the way up the boots did not rub the back of my heels, though I was armed with band-aids and a second pair of socks (as every hiker should be!) in case they did.

Adjusting the laces after a climb.

The last mile was covered in snow — at least six inches! We played it safe but kept going, finishing the climb on a steep ascent to an outpost atop a rocky peak. The boots held the ground and offered ample support.

Holding on snow.

At the top of Granite Mountain we took in the views above the clouds, pointing out different mountains peeking through the notorious Pacific Northwest weather. I readjusted my laces after moving around my feet, feeling for dampness or soreness. The only dampness was from my general sweat and my feet still felt comfortable — an experience I’ve never had after such an uphill hike.

We began the steep descent, which was covered in snow. By then the trail was sloshy and slick, decorated with sharp, threatening rocks and branches. The Ahnu Sugarpine boots were grippy enough to inspire confidence and while cautiously stepping down the steep grade I had very few slips. Once I stepped into a pocket of snow that was nearly ten inches, causing me to “whoop” and land on my bum. I expected my feet to be soaked, but again, they were dry. The only moisture was from my leggings at the top of my boots.

Back in the forest, we did speed bursts between groups of hikers, lightly jumping over branches, traipsing down rock paths, and hoping over tiny creeks. And yes, I almost took a tumble, but that was on flat ground and I can’t fault the shoes for that — remember, I’m a faller.

Digging Deeper

The Ahnu Sugarpine II waterproof boots are constructed to be both solid, but incredibly light.  A size seven weighs roughly 12.5 ounces, which his very light for a full, waterproof hiking boot. Part of this is the closed mesh and suede uppers, which offer protection, breathability, yet are light materials. The boot has leather overlays in certain areas, but is not a full leather boot, which is often very heavy.

While the Ahnu Sugarpine boots are mostly a tough cloth/mesh material, there are suede and leather overlays in rip-prone areas. And a cushioned lining at the top.

The Ahnu Sugarpine uses an-house waterproofing, which works quite well. The waterproofing is better than you’d anticipate by just looking at the cloth-style shoe.

The boots are beefed up with custom Vibram outsoles, which have decent traction, but are not the best on the market. The footbeds, specifically the Numentum insoles, are quite soft and provide great cushion on less-than-stable trails. Finally, the toe rand is semi-reminiscent of steel-toed boots, making the toe box a safe space.

A brand new pair of Ahnu Sugarpine boots with a custom Vibram outsole.

Comfort 5 Stars

The Ahnu Sugarpine boots were breathable in the California summer sun and kept me warm while trekking snowy peaks. Never have I had a pair of shoes that were steadfast in their comfortable disposition for long durations of time, in multiple climates, over many terrains. They were comfortable even on the day I hiked eight miles in the wilderness followed by five miles of power-walking while completing errands in the city.

Shoes are, of course, highly relative to the user. Clearly, these boots fit my feet. The breathability and lightness reduced potential blisters and kept me nimble. Be sure to try on a pair before making the final decision.

Durability 5 Stars

The boots do not scream “durability” with their cloth exterior, but if you look closely you will find it to be reinforced with suede and leather overlays in the areas most likely to rip. There were a few incidents where I thought I would tear the boot along a jagged branch or ruin them while sliding into inches of dust and shale in the Santa Monica Mountains, but they never faltered.

The Ahnu Sugarpine had no problem with downhill scree in California, or snowy treks in the Pacific Northwest.

After 4 months and about 150 miles, the uppers look relatively unscathed, if dusty, and the soles still have plenty of grippy ridges.

Soles 4 Stars

The Ahnu Sugarpine boots are agile, have a custom Vibram outsole, and definitely provide traction and stickiness when needed. However, while their lugs were pretty deep, I found them to be a bit too smooth for slippery descents down mossy trails. Snow and rocks did better.

New (right) and used (left). While the outsoles were decent, they didn’t blow me away.

Uppers 4 Stars

The uppers of the boot complete the Sugarpine II’s full package. I had to do a minimal amount of rearranging and shifting, often a problem with other boots. The tongue was cushy, prevented water from entering, and was easily held in place with the laces (an improvement from the older pair of Ahnu boots).

Straightforward laces, a wide toe box, and breathable materials make for excellent uppers.

They were breathable, which is arguably the most important thing. And for the in-house waterproofing, as long as the water doesn’t get in through the top of the boot and soak through to the sock, you are good.

Fit

The Ahnu Sugarpine II boots are narrow enough to be agile on the trail, but the interior shoe real estate is ample, allowing for toes to wiggle and feet to naturally swell. My feet are prone to stress fractures, worn from years of non-supported Converse treks, and felt totally comfortable every single time.

My feet are narrow with arches that prefer support, adorned with (embarrassingly) long toes. Finding shoes can be a challenge because sizing up to accommodate my toes often leaves too much space for my heels, and vice versa.

Grievances

The Ahnu Sugarpine II boots have given me very little to be upset about, so my grievances are purely relative to my own preference. The color and cloth show dirt rather easily, making them look dusty. Perhaps this is seen as a badge of outdoor exploration, but wiping them down is only kind of effective.

My last concern is the outsoles. They performed well, but were not stunning. Specifically in wet grass on a downhill slope. Traction is super important, and while these boots do the job, other models will grip better.

Final Word

Stylish and hardy, the Ahnu Sugarpine II waterproof boots are an all-around rockstar for female adventurers. Jump, run, skip, and hike with ease.

Where to Buy Ahnu Sugarpine II

We tested the Ahnu Sugarpine II waterproof boots. These boots are only made for women, and don’t come in another variation. Ahnu does offer the Sugarpine II Air Mesh and Sugarpine II Waterproof, which are low-top versions of the boots. They use the same materials, and the Air Mesh breathes even better but does not have any waterproofing.

If you love the fit and don’t want a boot, these are good options.

Compare Ahnu Sugarpine II waterproof boot prices below.

Melanie MacDowell

Melanie is a sunshine-chaser who enjoys the nomadic digital marketing life on a farm in Central California. With an enthusiasm for self-progression through pushing beyond comfort zones, she can often be found gaining elevation on bike or by foot. In addition to playing outside, she loves ice cream, gardening, and lazy Sundays. Visit her website to learn more about her work with outdoor and wellness brands.