TGO Rating: 3
The original Pro Rush Mids, which I recommended back in 2007, have been beefed up for this latest version, making them 275 grams heavier. Nothing in the design justifies this weight increase that I can see.
TGO Rating: 3.5
Back in 2000 I hiked the Arizona Trail in Brasher’s Supalite boots and found them excellent for backpacking in rough terrain. This new version looks much the same but has a new sole unit and a repositioned lace hook for holding the boot firmly over the instep.
Haglöfs’ Grym boots look like winter mountaineering boots yet weigh far less than is the norm for such boots. This is because instead of leather or plastic they are made from a highly abrasion-resistant durable fabric.
The very low cost of these boots, the least expensive tested, might lead you to think they can’t be any good. Actually they are perfectly adequate for three-season use. The sole has a reasonably deep tread and grips okay.
TGO Rating: 4.5
Hi-Tec’s V-Lite Altitude boots are the only ones I’ve tried that are waterproof and really breathable, even in warm weather.
TGO Rating: 4
These boots are astonishingly light. Pick them up and it feels like there’s nothing there. The minimal weight gives the impression they are insubstantial but that’s not so.
Boots without membranes are excellent for warm weather use but there are few models available so I welcome this new pair from Keen. The Siskiyou Mid is very breathable – I can blow through the synthetic mesh panels – and ideally suited to summer use.
The Impact GTX are perfectly adequate fabric/leather boots with little wrong with them. They are a bit heavier than similar boots though. The fit is slightly on the narrow side and they are a little tight for me.
Meindl’s Respond Mid boots are lighter than most and reasonably priced. They are quite narrow with a low volume and so too tight for me: I couldn’t walk very far in them before my feet felt sore.
Merrell’s leather Col Mid boots are comfortable with excellent cushioning and a very good grip. As well as the thick EVA midsole there’s an air cushion in the heel. The tread on the sole is deep and so should be durable.
