Scarpa Vortex GTX
reasonable upper durability; great sole lugs; supportive design
price tag; more performance than you may need
The Vortex provides a good set of features at a reasonable weight. You get a suede leather upper with synthetic mesh and Gore-Tex like others, but there’s a little more durability and support here than some, with good stiffness, particularly in the toe box and heel cup. Underfoot, the Vibram Dynatech sole is very aggressive, with well-spaced lugs and a heel breast providing grip. The sole is also stiffer than others. 5/5
Sizes for men are 41-48 and 37-42 for women. It has good general space for the foot with a slightly narrower toe than some, which is useful unless you have particularly wide feet. The heel cup is quite stiff, which is great in general, although this will be less mouldable to the foot than more bendy options. Overall, it holds the foot stable on more uneven ground. 5/5
As with any shoe that is slightly more stiff and supportive, there is less instant comfort from the box than some others. It’s when you hit the trails that the benefits of this more supportive shoe show its comfort credentials, when the stiffness in the toe box and heel cup protect and support the foot, while the sole stiffness makes walking over loose stones and jagged boulders far more comfy than softer, lighter shoes. 4/5
The outsole lugs set this apart from many as you get tractor-like grip to claw your way across mud and soft grass. The lugs are deep and well-spaced, with a heel breast that provides additional braking while descending. The sole, toe box and heel cup stiffness make this shoe better on rocky ground than others. A little less mesh may make it more durable though. 4/5
The price is steep but the main benefit is that extra support in the sole and upper. 3/5
This is a great shoe for walking along hill tracks, with particular suitability for rockier and 4.2/5 softer ground.