Multi-day tramping boots – also known as trekking boots – enable trampers to carry heavy packs over variable terrain, including alpine passes.
Fit
A perfect fit takes time to determine, and each brand will be slightly different. Try several models, and don’t determine fit until the boot is laced correctly and you’re standing up. Allow a little space for foot swelling and thicker socks.
Upper
Leather is the optimal material for long-term durability and comfort. Synthetic boots tend to be lighter and faster drying.
Waterproofing
These boots will contain a waterproof, breathable lining – Gore-Tex or equivalent – which helps keep feet warm and dry.
Ankle height
Tall cuffs provide ankle and lower leg protection, but very tall cuffs might restrict agility. They also add weight and increase a boot’s drying time. Boots with two sets of lace hooks in the cuff are a good mid-point option.
Tongue
This protects the top of the foot from the lacing and keeps debris out of the boot. Tongues should be gusseted to at least three-quarter length and ideally full length for maximum protection from trail debris.
Protection
Boots with a firm toe box will protect toes from rock strike. A rubber rand
(the strip around the edge of the boot upper) provides foot protection, makes the boot more durable and improves traction when scrambling in rocky terrain.
Midsole
For longer trips on rough terrain, stiffer boots are preferred for protection and to prevent foot fatigue. The midsole provides the balance between footbed comfort and a stable and protective platform for the foot. Shanks are usually nylon or fibreglass. They are sandwiched between the midsole and the outsole, and provide stiffness for crampon use, edging and rugged terrain. Some boots include a ‘rock plate’ to protect the foot on uneven ground.
Lacing
Laces should be easy to adjust and flow freely through the eyelets, to enable a precise and comfortable fit. Lace locks keep the boots firm in the midfoot and heel and
prevent laces from loosening.
Outsole
Boot soles will be made from a high-carbon rubber and provide a balance between firmness (for ‘bite’ on slippery slopes), durability, and friction (on wet rock for example). Look for a heel that provides good braking on descents.
LOWA Camino Evo GTX Wide $729
A boot built on a wide last to accommodate broad feet, and to provide lateral support for long distance on-and-off trail hiking while carrying up to 20kg packs. There’s a nubuck leather upper, Gore-Tex lining, PU midsole, anatomically shaped tongue and a tapering (5mm to 3mm) stabiliser to retain forefoot flex. Self-cleaning Vibram App Trail outsole. 1600g. www.LOWA.co.nz
LOWA Mauria Evo GTX Wide $729
A women’s-specific boot built on a wide last to provide lateral support for long distance on-and-off trail hiking while carrying up to 20kg packs. There’s a nubuck leather upper, Gore-Tex lining, PU midsole, anatomically shaped tongue, padded comfort cuff edging, and a tapering (5mm to 3mm) stabiliser to retain forefoot flex. Self-cleaning Vibram App Trail outsole. 1250g. www.LOWA.co.nz
Zamberlan Saguaro GTX RR $629.99
A multi-day, all-season tramping boot for a variety of terrain. An improved rocker to the Vibram StarTrek II outsole boosts uphill performance. There’s a nubuck leather upper, stiff double-density PU midsole and TPU stabiliser for support and stability, a Gore-Tex lining and a full protective rand. 1640g. www.huntingandfishing.co.nz
Zamberlan Guide GTX RR WL $599.99
A man’s boot designed to carry heavy loads over steep terrain. It’s built from a wide last to accommodate broad feet. There’s a nubuck leather upper with Hydrobloc water repellency, a Gore-Tex lining, a soft heel junction for walking comfort and flexibility, TPU midsole and a Vibram StarTrek outsole. 1640g. www.huntingandfishing.co.nz
Salewa Mountain Trainer Mid GTX $549.90
An alpine trekking boot designed for extra flexibility and increased comfort on ascent and descent in mixed and technical terrain. There’s a suede leather and fabric upper, ‘Flex Collar’, Gore-Tex membrane, full rubber rand, TPU midsole and Salewa’s 3F system for stability, heel hold and blister-free fit. Flexible crampon compatible Vibram WTC outsole. 1400g (m), 1140g (w). www.bobo.co.nz
Anatom Q4 Torridon B2 Mountain Boots $549
A four-season tramping boot for rock scrambling, via Ferrata and winter walking There’s a three-layer
waterproof/breathable membrane, full rubber rand and ankle-supporting 2.8mm Anfibio full-grain leather upper. Lateral and torsionally stable PU midsole and a flexible crampon compatible Vibram Sorapsis outsole with ‘impact brake system’. 1670g. www.bivouac.co.nz
The North Face Breithorn FutureLight $500
A light, protective all-purpose boot using TNF’s breathable, waterproof FutureLight technology. There’s a ripstop fabric upper with stretch Lycra collar, a rubber rand, toe cap and heel overlay, semi-rigid nylon fibreglass-reinforced shank and semi-automatic crampon compatible Vibram Litebase Mont outsole. 1103g (m), 920g (w). www.thenorthface.co.nz
Dolomite Tofana GTX $499.99
This is a multi-day tramping boot with an oiled full grain leather upper, soft nubuck leather panels and a 360-degree rubber rand. There’s a Gore-Tex lining, a microporous dual-density midsole, metal lacing hardware and a Vibram XS outsole. 1380g (m), 1230g (w). www.colorado-traders.co.nz
Dolomite Crodarossa Hi GTX $499.99
A mountain approach and technical tramping boot with a suede leather upper and Gore-Tex lining, TPU Shank for torsional control and rubber protection at toe and heel. There’s a stretch fabric tongue, Slipknot lacing for comfort and precision over uneven and rocky terrain and a Vibram
MegaGrip outsole. 1166g (m), 1020g (w). www.colorado-traders.co.nz
Scarpa Kailash Trek GTX $499.99
Scarpa’s best-selling boot has flexibility, supportand protection. There’s a 1.8mm suede/nylon upper with padded collar and gusset, Gore-Tex lining, TPU toe cap, durable impact-absorbing PU midsole and to-the-toe lacing. 1220g (m), 1070g (w). www.southernapproach.co.nz
Salewa Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTX $479.90
A mid-cut boot with suede and stretch fabric upper and a Gore-Tex membrane. There’s a front rubber rand for rock and scree protection, Salewa’s 3F system for stability, heel hold and blister-free fit, a Flex Collar, multi-fit footbed and climbing lacing to fine-tune the fit. Vibram Alpine Hiking outsole – exclusive to Salewa. 1104g (m), 964g (w). www.bobo.co.nz
Scarpa Rush Trek GTX $449.99
A comfortable boot with long-lasting support, protection, and lighter weight. Uppers are suede and an abrasion- resistant laminate. There’s a Gore-Tex lining, TPU heel, rubber toe and pressure-spreading lacing system. The Pressa outsole provides progressive impact absorption. 1110g (m), 930g (w). www.southernapproach.co.nz
