A generous toe box – and a noteworthy aesthetic nod – cause Gemma Palmer to award the AKU Ultralight Original GTX boots her Best in Test.

Pulling on the AKU Ultralight Original GTX, the first thing I noticed was the generous toebox. My toes splayed naturally, which was such a welcome change from the usual cramped feeling!

Gemma Palmer’s Best in Test

The Ultralight Original GTX has contemporary styling, comfortable design, and adaptable fit for wider feet when sized up.
Pros
  • stylish range of colours
  • great value
  • fit
  • comfort
  • traction
Cons
  • regular suede maintenance needed
Quick Specs
Price: US shipping available / £164 (available from Outdoor Action)
Weight: 840g per pair (size UK5)
Materials: 4-2 mm texon + tpu, 1.4mm suede leather with Air8000 fabric panels, gore-tex® performance comfort, vibram® erica everest, double density eva
Features: Ultra Light, Shock absorbing micro midlayer
Waterproof: yes
Sizes: UK 3 – 9 (inc half sizes)
Men’s version? no
www.aku.co.uk

Consistent width, even with thick socks, and a tailored fit from the supple upper and seven-point lacing, made these boots ideal for wider feet. Sizing up worked great, though they’re not marketed as a wide boot. I’m curious about the long-term durability of the suede and Air8000 weave, especially at the toe crease. Only time will tell.

Out on the trails, the boot’s padding and cushioned sole provided great support across varied terrain. The lightweight design and solid ankle support were key on rutted paths, and the dual-density EVA midsole soaked up the impact of uneven ground, keeping arch fatigue at bay. The Vibram Erica Everest outsole handled dirt, mud, gravel, and stone with ease, though I did find some small debris getting stuck between the sole and upper.

AKU Ultralight Original GTX boots
Boots good for wide feet with a sense of style! Credit: Gemma Palmer

The waterproofing worked perfectly in damp conditions and breathability was excellent as my feet didn’t feel cold or sweaty. I’m still a bit wary of regularly exposing the soft suede to heavy, wet mud, just because of the extra cleaning. These boots feel best suited for well maintained trails, where their comfort and flexibility really shine.

If you’ve got wider feet, the AKU Trekker Lite III Wide could be your pick, but they stop at a UK 8.5, which is a limitation for those of us with bigger feet – a real shame, especially since AKU makes such stylish boots. The Ultralight Original GTX, with its contemporary styling, comfortable design, and adaptable fit for wider feet when sized up, is highly recommended.

Testing conditions

Gemma, who is 5’10” and wears UK size 8.5 shoes is hiking the diverse terrains of the East Midlands, including its rolling landscapes, nature reserves, and reservoir trails. This often leaves Gemma with tired feet, especially true on hard terrain. Her wide forefoot, high arch, and narrow heel are likely factors. She wore the boots with lightweight and midweight walking socks in temperatures between 4 and 17 degrees Celsius. Compare this with other hiking boots for wide feet in our buyer’s guide.