Best for: Three-season tramping in alpine and technical terrain

Plusses: Good value, at home on steep terrain, minimal break-in required
Minuses: Some exposed stitching, basic inner sole

1352g

Features: This boot’s suede and fabric uppers are Gore-Tex lined and combine with a Flex Collar ankle to provide flexibility over technical ground. Climbing lacing (to the toe) provides a fine-tunable and precise fit along with Salewa’s 3F System, which uses a fine steel cable to unify the instep area with the sole and heel for firm foot support. The mid-stiffness sole has a Vibram outsole with ‘climbing zone’-style closely spaced blocks in the toe and a rubber rand.

Fit and comfort: This boot is built on a narrow last and has an asymmetric toe profile. For some people this means a precise fit; for others the boots may be too narrow in the toe box. They size small by a half-size. The ankle collar is close fitting for a sure-footed feel, and these boots are forgiving out of the box with flexible uppers with a soft lining and torsional flexibility through the midfoot. Although I have moderately wide feet, after a couple of break-in walks I found them comfortable for a nine-day trip, although I replaced the basic, thin innersole before using them.

Durability: The overall build and material quality of these boots is excellent. Some vulnerable stitching on the top of the toe box had started to show the knocks after two transalpine trips that involved considerable off-track tramping. One of the lacing tabs delaminated from its lining (a minor issue), but I note that the latest version of this boot (the Mk II) has rectified this vulnerability. Lacing right to the toe provides an optimal fit, but it does expose the laces to more wear.

In use: I really liked the precise and supportive feel of these boots. They have the ready-to- wear comfort of a much lighter boot but are suitable for rugged country requiring secure footwork. They’re stiff enough for all-day tramping with a 20kg pack, but comfortable, albeit on the heavy side, for day walks in rough terrain too. They don’t waterlog as much as a full leather boot, and they dry faster. The aggressive heel has plenty of bite on dirt slopes, and the climbing-oriented shape and design makes them feel reassuring for scrambling and boulder hopping. This boot is suitable for flexible strap-on crampons in transalpine scenarios.

Value: The Salewa Mountain Trainer Mid is good value for a boot with these technically oriented attributes.

Verdict: The approach shoe-like feel of these boots won me over for off-track tramping and provided a comfortable and stable platform that’s also precise.