Karrimor
Model KSB Java-Mid eVent
Price £65
Web www.karrimor.com
Material Upper: 2mm suede/cordura. Sole: KS Tenacity. Lining: eVent waterproof and highly breathable membrane
Colour shown Misty Blue
These boots provide an excellent fit, particularly at the heel. This is due to the padded pocket cups at the ankle that hold the feet in place and prevent the blisters caused by heel lift - when your heel moves up and down inside the shoe.There is plenty of room in the toe box, but the arch support might feel too low for some.
A large amount of padding around the ankle makes the boot comfortable. The tongue is also well padded, but is rather stiff, which makes these boots only slightly uncomfortable. However, with frequent use, the tongue does begin to soften. The broad, flat laces stay tied up and hold the foot in place, without cutting into it.
The sole of this Karrimor is very flexible, which makes it good for light walking rather than more arduous trekking or scrambling. What's more, it is extremely effective at keeping water out.
Verdict Good ankle support and a flexible sole made these boots a comfortable choice for light hill walking or trekking.
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Regatta
Model Outcrop
Price £75
Web www.regatta.com
Material Upper: water-resistant ATL-treated oiled Nubuck leather with lightweight. Sole: hiking carbon-rubber. Lining: Isotex waterproof and breathable liner
Colour shown Chestnut brown
We found these boots very comfortable, even if they are a little stiff when you start wearing them. They begin to soften up with wear, and with regular use should become even more comfortable. They give good general support around the ankles and really hold heels in place to prevent blisters. However, they could do with some more support in the arch. The toe box is very roomy and the padded collar makes the boot comfortable round the ankle.
The Isotex lining allows feet to breathe and, even after a day of wear, we found there was only a little perspiration. The lining is water resistant, while durable carbon rubber outsoles provide a good deal of shock absorption.
These boots offer plenty of grip on wet and muddy surfaces. Wet mud sometimes gets stuck in their treads, but this can easily be removed by stamping, and does not affect the boots' grip.
The boots are easy to put on and take off, and are suitable for light trekking, rather than full-on mountain walking.
Verdict A sturdy all-round boot at a reasonable price.
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Scarpa Ranger
Model GTX
Price £119.99
Web www.mountainboot.co.uk
Material Upper: oiled Nubuck calf leather. Sole: 2.6mm with Skywalk M2. Lining: Gore-tex
Colour shown Anthracite
If you are looking for adventure and need boots that are tough enough to take some serious punishment, these are the ones for you. They will stand up to long treks in any conditions.
Even though the boots are made from thick leather, they are soft enough to be comfortable even on the first wearing. The all-leather construction also makes them very durable: ideal for walking through very rocky terrain. However, although the GTXs are rugged, they don't feel or look clumsy.
The Gore-Tex lining lets feet breathe and keeps water out. The padding around the tops prevents ankles from chafing and the backs are cut low enough to let tendons flex. There is also a good deal of ankle support. However, trekkers with high arches might need more support for their insteps.
The soles feel sturdy and do not become clogged with mud. They provide plenty of grip in all conditions, but the sole feels firm, which will make walking along roads tiresome.
Verdict A boot that is comfortable and durable - ideal for use in most conditions.
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Hi-Tec
Model Sierra V-Lite Fast Pack
Price £55
Web www.hi-tec.com
Material Upper: suede leather. Sole: low-profile, lightweight compound carbon-rubber. Lining: Dri-Lex
Colour shown Stone/silver/mink
These are light and comfortable, with good ankle support, plenty of toe room, and flexible soles that make it easy to walk, even when the boots are new.
The soles provide reasonable grip on most surfaces, and even though the treads are quite shallow, there is good traction on muddy slopes. Better still, mud doesn't get stuck in the tread. Shock absorption is good, thanks to the mid-sole cushioning. The sole is not too thick, so the boots look rather stylish. The Sierras are waterproof, and the lining allows the feet to breathe, leaving feet relatively dry, even after a hard day's walking.
These boots will suit people with narrow feet and slim ankles, but they're short on support for feet with high arches. They are best suited to light trekking than scrambling.
Verdict Sturdy, light and comfy from the first step, these are as good as their pricier counterparts.
*** BUDGET CHOICE ***
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Karrimor
Model KSB Peak e-Vent
Price £75
Web www.karrimor.com
Material Upper: 2mm suede/cordura. Sole: Vibram Winkler. Lining: eVent
Colour shown Black
These boots put a real spring in your step. The soles and insoles absorb the impact of walking on hard surfaces, making these ideal for wearing on roads and surfaced footpaths. In addition, they are strong enough for tougher terrain, thanks to their rubber toe caps.
On dry stone, these boots grip fine, but they tend to slip on wet stone. However, they provide good traction in mud, and the shallow tread does not clog up easily. The e-Vent lining system allows feet to breathe. The fabric is also fully waterproof, so the boots can be worn all year round, although they may get too warm during the summer.
These will suit broad feet best, but Karrimor includes thin insoles, which are ideal for getting a snug fit for shallow feet. Another advantage of insoles is that, at the end of the day, you can remove them for a good airing-out or even to give them a thorough wash.
Although these boots are just right for light trekking, they look discreet enough to be worn for indoor activities, like stopping en route for a drink, and are flexible enough to be worn for driving.
Verdict The shock-absorbing soles make these boots ideal for road walking, but they can also handle tougher terrain just as well.
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Hi-Tec
Model Outdoor Ascent II
Price £75
Web www.hi-tec.com
Material Upper: waterproof Nubuck leather. Sole: Exclusive Vibram for backpacking. Lining: eVent
Colour shown dark chocolate/ picante
These Hi-Tecs provide plenty of support for ankles and insteps. However, they are rather stiff and unyielding, so much so that they feel more like ski boots than walking boots. With time, though, they should become more supple.
Although they are robust and suitable for winter conditions, these boots are overly heavy. Moreover, their lining is not especially breathable. We also found that the sole did not provide enough grip, especially on wet, smooth surfaces. This could have been due to the tread being shallow, or to the fact that it was not particularly textured.
Verdict Rugged with good support, but at this price, you could get better boots. These fall down in terms of weight, grip, suppleness and the lining's breathability.
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Brasher
Model Bandai GTX
Price £80
Web www.brasher.com
Material Upper: water-resistant, breathable suede. Sole: Vibram. Lining: Gore-Tex
Colour shown Navy/cobalt
The fabric upper makes these boots light without compromising sturdiness or support. The toe box is reinforced so the boots, not your feet, take the knocks. Although they look compact, there is lots of room for your toes, even if you're wearing thick socks.
Arch and ankle support are good, but padding around the ankles and on the tongues is excessive. Also, we found the laces tended to come undone unless tied in a double knot. The medium-depth tread on the sole is rather shallow, so it might not stop you skidding on flat surfaces. The Gore-Tex uppers keep water outside and allow feet to breath; at the end of a hot day's walking, you won't find a hint of perspiration.
Verdict The cumbersome ankle supports detract from these otherwise light and comfy boots.
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Contour
b Nevada
Price £69.99
Web www.mountainboot.co.uk
Material Upper: calf leather. Sole: EVA. Lining: Hydro-ban
Colour shown Brown
These boots are comfortable from the moment you put them on. The shape is better suited to chunky feet a pair of insoles will give the right fit for shallow feet. The collars are padded and there is reasonable ankle support, but there is only moderate support for high arches.
Although these boots are made entirely from leather, it is a fine, soft variety that might not be durable enough to withstand extensive walking across scree. However, it is beautifully supple and moulds itself to feet very quickly.
The Hydro-Ban breathable lining helps keep feet dry, but in our test, our feet seemed damper than with other boots we tried.
Verdict These boots cost less than many of their rivals, but they can hold their own against them. A good boot for light to moderate treks all year round.
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Scarpa
Model ZG65 XCR
Price £100
Web www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
Material Uppers: HS12-proofed Nubuck leather. Sole: ZG Hi-Trail Lining: Gore-Tex
Colour shown Graphite/silver
It is rare to say that a pair of walking boots look good, but these really do. They also are extremely light and comfortable. The close fit will suit those with shallow feet, but the boot is wide enough to accommodate broad feet. There is also good support for the instep.
The sole is slightly curved, which provides a natural rocking movement from heel to toe when on the move, making walking on flat ground a breeze. Going up hill, the sole provides enough grip and the wide cleats in the sole prevents the boots from becoming clogged with mud. Even on gravel the boots give a good amount of grip.
The tongue is padded enough to be comfortable, but without being too stiff. The top of the boot has good padding, which makes the boots feel very comfortable around the ankles. There is plenty of room in the toe box and the Scarpas have durable rubber toe caps. However, being made of fabric, these boots might not be suitable for walking across scree, which could puncture the material. There is good support for the heel, but ankle support could have been better.
The Gore-Tex lining keeps feet dry and the boots are not too warm. This means they would make good summer walking or trekking boots, but could still stand up to harsh winter conditions.
Verdict A comfortable boot that withstands real punishment.
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Brasher
Model Trailmaster
Price £120
Web www.brasher.com
Material Upper: 2.4-2.6mm full-grain Nubuck leather. Sole: REVAlution anti-clogging rubber. Lining: Gore-Tex
Colour shown Peat
These leather boots are solid and hardly more flexible than ski boots on first use. But this means they provide great ankle support. They also wear in fairly quickly. The toe box is slightly shallower than on the Bandai model (p113) but it is just as wide so your feet will be secure without feeling trapped.
The Trailmasters are heavy, but their deep, textured treads will help you keep your footing in mud and on stony paths after rain.
The tongues' padding is not excessive, which makes the slightly elasticated laces easy to tie. They also show no signs of wanting to come undone by themselves.
With their leather upper and Gore-Tex inner layer these boots are fully waterproof yet they didn't overheat our feet. this makes them ideal for long cross-country walks and trekking.
Verdict A serious, stiff walking boot for all seasons, offering full support and good purchase on almost any terrain.
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Rohan
Model Pokhara 05004-07-157
Price £80 (men's only)
Web www.rohan.co.uk
Material Upper: leather. Sole: Rohan Endurance. Lining: eVent
Colour shown Dark brown
Travel- and outdoor-wear company Rohan recently launched its first footwear line, and the Pokhara is among the models available in its 'lifestyle' Explorer range. (A women's model is to be launched in the spring of 2006.) The whole boot is made from very soft leather, including the area around the ankle, which is especially comfortable. The rest of the lining is well-cushioned, so the boots feel totally flexible and worn in from the outset. This flexibility, combined with its being a fairly short boot, means you can still move your foot and ankle easily. However, it offers plenty of ankle and arch support.
There is ample room for your toes, and a stiff rubber 'bumper' at the front protects them, as well as the suede finish. The boot lining is made from a breathable, waterproof material called eVent. It performed well in our test, with the boot being resistant to a good soaking and the foot remaining at a comfortable temperature.
Good news for those who are prone to sweaty feet is that the boots have an anti-bacterial property in the sole that prevents nasty odours. Another welcome feature is the slightly textured, soft, rubbery sole, which gives excellent grip on smooth, slippery surfaces.
Overall, these boots offer an indulgent experience for the feet in all weathers and on all terrains, and their shorter design offers more flexibility than traditional leather boots. At the same time, they are lightweight enough to use as everyday footwear and the tongue is flat and neat, making the boots easy to put on. They come with a shoehorn and waterproof carrying bag.
Verdict Superbly comfortable and very capable boots that will cosset your feet.
*** EDITOR'S CHOICE ***
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