Image of the September 2016 Wilderness Magazine Cover Read more from the
 September 2016 Issue
Home / Articles / Gear Guides

How to buy 3-4 season boots

Lowa Vantage ($519). Distributed by Beattie Matheson Ltd. www.lowa.co.nz

Image of Alistair Hall
19 August 201619 Aug '16

These boots are for those multiday trips with heavy packs and which might involve bush-bashing, river-hopping, and crossing alpine passes.

Outsole
Deep, multi-directional lugs combine with a sticky rubber compound to grip all terrain types and quickly shed mud. The outsole will be sharp-edged to provide purchase on loose and slippery surfaces, making it safer and easier to traverse steep slopes.

Tongue
Gusseted tongues (also known as bellows tongue) prevent water and debris from entering. Once tightened, the gussets and tongue should fold together to rest comfortably against the shin. A lacing stud on the tongue keeps it in position.

Protection
The boot’s upper will be protected with a rubber toe bumper and heel guard. Many boots have a full rubber rand running around the outside.

Midsole
Most boots have an EVA midsole, with some opting for PU (polyurethane). All have an anatomical three-quarter or full-length shank offering a solid, stiff platform for the foot. PU is heavier but more durable, while EVA has greater shock absorbency. A medial post provides stability and prevents torsional twisting. Flexible crampons can be attached.

Upper
Thick leather uppers with few seams offer support and structural integrity. They may require extra wear-in time, but when cared for properly, the leather will mould to the foot for years of comfort and performance – often outlasting the sole. A lighter grade of leather is used around the ankle to reduce pressure on the Achilles tendon.

Ankle height
A high cuff offers greater protection to ankles – especially important considering the heavy packs carried and uneven terrain the boots are used on.

Lacing
Durable metal eyelets and lugs are the norm. Laces should flow smoothly to provide even tension all around the foot. A lace-locking lug allows tension to be fine-tuned across the foot and around the ankle.

Toe box
This should be stiff enough to protect toes from falling rocks. Allow a thumb-width space between the end of the boot and the longest toe.

Boot care
Throwing your boots into the cupboard without a good clean will wreck them. Follow this three-step plan instead:

  1. Scrub your boots as soon as you get home and rinse the inside with fresh water and dissolved natural soap to wash away perspiration and body oils
  2. Dry the boots naturally but not in direct sunlight. Don’t put them in front of the fire or in the hot water cupboard
  3. Once dry, warm them up to open the leather’s pores and apply a leather conditioner.

Now you know what to look for, it’s time to choose a boot

BUY3

Meindl Himalaya GTX $700
Use Heavy duty tramping Upper Sil-nubuck leather Construction Gore-Tex membrane, MFS Memory Foam system, high rubber rand, leather-lined ankle cuff, Digafix multi-zone lacing, orthotic polyamide shank, Air-Active drysole footbed, flexible crampon compatible. Outsole Vibram Multigriff Weight 1720g (m); 1400g (w).

BUY3

Lowa Tibet GTX WXL $699    
Use Heavy duty tramping Upper 2.6mm nubuck leather Construction Extra-wide fit, Gore-Tex lining, I-Lock lace lock, ball bearing lace system, Flex Fit ankle, C4 comfort tongue, Achilles comfort notch, X-lacing stud, full rand, viscoelastic Balance Insole, PU midsole with SPS support, 5mm full-length nylon shank, flexible crampon compatible Outsole Vibram Masai Weight 1800g.

BUY3

Lowa Ticam GTX WXL $679 
Use Heavy duty tramping Upper 2.6mm waxed split leather Construction Extra-wide fit, Gore-Tex lining, high ankle, I-Lock lace lock, ball bearing lace system, Lowa Flex and lace-to-toe instep flex, Flex Fit ankle, C4 comfort tongue, Achilles comfort notch, X-lacing stud, heel and toe rand, viscoelastic Balance Insole, PU midsole with SPS support, 5mm full length nylon shank, flexible crampon compatible Outsole Vibram Masai Weight 1600g.

BUY3

Lowa Wmn’s Lavena GTX $679 
Use Alpine, heavy duty tramping Upper 2.2mm nubuck leather Construction Women’s specific, Gore-Tex lining, I-Lock lace lock, Lowa Flex and lace-to-toe instep flex, Flex Fit ankle, C4 comfort tongue, comfort notch above heel, articulated alloy lacing hardware, X-lacing stalk, heel, toe and medial side rand, viscoelastic Balance Insole, PU midsole with SPS support, 5-4mm full length nylon shank, flexible crampon compatible Outsole Vibram Apptrail Weight 1340g.

BUY3

Lowa Camino GTX WXL $619
Use Heavy duty tramping Upper 2.2mm nubuck leather Construction Extra wide fit, Gore-Tex lining, Lowa Flex and lace-to-toe instep flex, Flex Fit ankle, C4 comfort tongue, Achilles comfort notch, ball bearing lace system, X-lacing stud, heel and toe rand, 5-3mm medium flex nylon stabiliser, PU midsole with SPS support, viscoelastic Balance Insole Outsole Vibram Apptrail Weight 1550g.

BUY3

Lowa Wmn’s Mauria GTX WXL $619
Use Heavy duty tramping Upper 2.2mm nubuck leather Construction Women’s specific last, extra wide fit, Gore-Tex lining, Lowa Flex and lace-to-toe instep flex, Flex Fit ankle, C4 comfort tongue, Achilles comfort notch, ball bearing lace system, X-lacing stud, heel and toe rand, 5-3mm medium flex nylon shank, PU midsole with SPS support, viscoelastic Balance Insole Outsole Vibram Apptrail Weight 1250g.

 

BUY3

Lowa Ranger GTX WXL $599
Use Heavy duty tramping Upper 2.4mm waxed nubuck leather Construction Extra wide fit, Gore-Tex lining, C4 comfort tongue, Achilles comfort notch, ball bearing lace system, X-lacing stud, full rand, 5-3mm medium flex nylon shank, PU midsole with SPS support, viscoelastic Balance Insole Outsole Vibram Natural Weight 1640g.

BUY3

Asolo Trekker GV Widefit $529
Use Rugged tramping, hunting Upper 2.2-2.4mm water-resistant nubuck leather Construction Wide-fit last, Gore-Tex lining, bellows tongue, dual-density microporous PU midsole with Anti-Shock technology, full rubber rand, flexible crampon compatible Outsole Vibram Ascent. Weight 1500g.

BUY3

Lowa Vantage GTX WXL $519
Use Heavy duty tramping Upper 2mm split leather Construction Extra wide fit, Gore-Tex lining, Flex Fit ankle, C4 comfort tongue, Achilles comfort notch, X-lacing stud, heel and toe rand, 5-2mm medium flex nylon shank, PU midsole, viscoelastic Balance Insole Outsole Lowa Trac Lite Weight 1320g (m); 1130g (w).

BUY3

Asolo TPS520 GV Widefit $479
Use Tramping Upper 2.6-2.8mm water-resistant one piece full grain leather Construction Wide fit, Goretex Performance lining, board lasted, foam footbed, padded ankle collars, Asoflex nylon supports, TPS EVO dual density PU midsole, flexible crampon compatible Outsole Vibram Rubber. Weight 1660g (m); 1580g (w).

BUY3

Asolo PowerMatic 200GV Widefit $499
Use Rugged tramping, backpacking. Upper 2.6-2.8mm water-resistant full grain leather Construction Wide fit, Gore-tex Performance lining, anatomic footbed, triple-density PU midsole, flexible crampon compatible. Outsole Vibram Weight 1570g.

BUY3

Lowa Z6-S GTX $499
Use Light to heavy duty tramping Upper 2mm split leather and Cordura Construction Gore-Tex lining, heel and toe bumper, PU Monowrap external support skeleton, soft flex nylon shank, PU shock absorbing midsole, closed metal hooks for speed lacing, viscoelastic Balance Insole Outsole Lowa Cross Duty Weight 1330g.

 

BUY3

Salewa Rapace GTX $499
Use Alpine, heavy duty tramping Upper 1.6mm nubuck leather Construction 360-degree rubber rand, Gore-Tex lining, crampon step, 3F heel hold system, EBA midsole, nylon shank, customisable footbed, strap-on crampon compatible Outsole Vibram Mulaz Weight 1250g (m); 1070g (w).

BUY3

Scarpa SL Activ $499
Use Hill walking, tramping Upper Full grain leather Construction Full rubber rand, pulley-like speed lacing system, Cocona anti-microbial lining, ACTIVfit insole with memory foam, Biometric sole of double density PU, Performance Flex midsole, moulded thermo plastic shank, crampon compatible. Outsole Vibram Weight 1720g.

BUY3

Scarpa Delta GTX $499
Use Medium weight tramping Upper Full grain 2.4-2.6mm calf leather Construction Gore-Tex lining, rubber toe rand, pulley-like speed lacing system, comfort-flex midsole, Viscoflex Activ fit insole, Autofit ankle collar, heel tension system Outsole Vibram Biometric Weight 1520g (m); 1240g (w).

BUY3

Vasque Erikkson $449.99
Use Heavy duty tramping over demanding terrain Upper 2.2mm waterproof full grain leather Construction Three part midsole with EVA, PU and TPU, Gore-Tex lining, low friction lacing with locking ankle hook, high coverage laser-etched rubber rand, high cuff height. Outsole Vibram Summit Weight 1456g (m); 1272g (w).

  

 

 

 

BUY3

Asolo TPS535 Widefit $449
Use Tramping Upper 2.2-2.4mm water-resistant one piece full grain leather Construction Wide-fit, Cambrelle lining, board lasted, foam footbed, padded ankle collars, Asoflex nylon supports, TPS EVO dual density PU midsole, flexible crampon compatible Outsole Vibram Rubber. Weight 1600g (m); 1520g (w).