Hi-Tec OX Belmont Low I Waterproof
price; outsole lugs; supportive upper; close fit
upper less durable; sole stiffness This well-priced shoe has features that far outweigh its price tag. It has a new Michelin (yes the car tyre people) outsole that has a deep set of well-spaced lugs, which appear to be stickier than some others. The upper is a mix of suede leather and synthetic layers, but you get stiffness in the toe and heel areas, which is a bonus over many low-priced shoes. There’s a Dri-Tec waterproof lining inside. 4/5
Men’s sizes are 7-13 and women’s 4-8, with the fit being noticeably neater and more precise than many at this price; it feels almost as neat on the foot as those costing some £50 more. The lacing extends a little further to the toe than some low-priced shoes as well, which again helps that precise fit. 5/5
Comfort is better than others around this price tag by quite a margin, with gentle foot ‘hugging’ throughout the contact points, the tongue sits neatly and the supportive heel is comfy. The upper and sole are not quite the stiffest, so on uneven ground this is not the best shoe, but there's enough stiffness within the forefoot to prevent stones impacting on comfort. 4/5
A precise fit, sole grip and the ability to resist impact from stones underfoot make this a great all-round shoe for general hillwalking, on a wide range of terrain. The upper isn't quite as durable as those with rubber rands and less stitching, and the sole is more flexible from toe to heel than some. Only those walkers needing specific micro improvements need pay more. 4/5
This is remarkable for the price and certainly, in our view, one of the best-value trail shoes we’ve seen. 5/5
If you want good performance for trail walking and trekking, then you will have to pay a lot more to get worthwhile benefits beyond those 4.4/5 offered here.