PAST 12 MONTHS ( ARRANGED IN ASCENDING ORDER OF RETAIL PRICE)

MAMMUT AYAKO HIGH GTX £160

Designed for via ferrata, these have the oomph of a mountain boot but without stiffness. The thin outsole means you really feel the terrain at your feet. www.mammut.ch

LA SPORTIVA TRANGO TRK GTX £175

Like a sports car with the chassis of an off-roader. No exposed stitching, so it won’t leak and is easy to clean. A near-flawless mix of weight and comfort. www.lasportiva.com

HANWAG TATRA GTX £190

We absolutely love this one. Supple nubuck leather, a rugged rand and a cosy footbed plus a wide-ish fit and a bouncy, shock absorbing midsole. www.hanwag.com

ALTBERG KISDON £215

Takes a bit of breaking in, but well worth the investment. Quality in every feature, from the flexible nubuck upper to the beefy rand and fine-tuned lacing. www.altberg.co.uk

SALOMON QUEST 4D 2 GTX £165

Getting the whole package right, these stiff but supercomfy boots are beautifully precise, supportive round the ankle and surprisingly light. www.salomon.com

ASOLO FALCON GV GTX £180

A stripped-down boot for fast movers. The upper is flimsy, but it’s fabulous if you’re fleet of foot and sure of your ankles. www.asolo.com/en

MEINDL BHUTAN MFS £200

Another absolute belter. Solid performers from muddy fields to mountaintops. Supple but durable leather and a tough sole unit. www.meindl.co.uk

ZAMBERLAN VIOZ LUX GTX £220

Top-end luxury from the Italian leather wizards. Gets a bit hot, but we love the lavish luxury of the padded ankle and the raw power of the outsole. www.zamberlan.com