These supple, principally fabric walking boots feel much lighter on the feet, than the scale weight suggests. That’s mostly due to the sweet flex, which is stiff enough laterally to give stability while edging on steep ground or in snow, but sufficiently soft at the forefoot for walking comfort. The women’s last incorporates a sole which is 6mm higher than the standard trekking sole; this combines with a shock-absorbing midsole to give adequate cushioning on hard terrain and a positive feel underfoot. Lacing is smooth, with a hook to pull the heel into place and two ankle hooks. The rear of the boot dips correctly to accommodate the Achilles, and the tongue and cuff are both well-padded. The rand is relatively low but is complete around the boot, and I have had no problems with upper abrasion or crampon pressure. The sole unit is aggressive and worked well on snow, mud, rocks. The fit is wide for an Italian boot, and has a mid-sized heel box which would likely be too loose for a very narrow heel. I have worn these boots a lot, mostly in the French Alps in winter and warmer conditions, and rate them highly.
First published: April 2013
