Alpine and Hiking Boots

Late summer and early fall are some of the best times of the year for alpine climbing and scrambling. Having the right footwear is a must to prevent pain and blisters, so do your homework and find what works best for you. Here are some of the top boots that we recommend for this year.

Boreal

Nelion $275

The Nelion is a standout lightweight alpine boot designed for three-season conditions. Like all Boreal boots, they’re extremely durable and act as a workhorse in scree and on wet slopes. The bi-flex system gives the boot a lot of flex, but the sole stays rigid enough for technical edging. A great boot for summer alpinism.

La Sportiva

Nepal Cube GTX $700

The Nepal Cube is a burly workhorse that we’ve put to the test in some of the most demanding alpine areas in Canada. They’re solid throughout, edge great on rock, stick to icy slopes and are solid with front-pointing. Waterproofing has never been an issue and they’re quick to break in. They’re comfortable to climb in but the stiffness can be felt on long approaches. You get what you pay for with this high-end boot.

Arc’teryx

Acrux AR $880

The Acrux has become a classic boot for hard mountaineering projects. They’re very light, extremely warm and comfortable, water tight, break-in quickly, are low volume, are durable and have a very supportive heel. There’s good flexibility in the right places and it breathes very well. They are one of the lightest double boot on the market and perfect for summer and winter mountaineering.

Scarpa

Ribelle Tech OD $640

The Ribelle Tech OD is a newer concept in mountain boots for fast and light alpine climbers. They combine the feel of an approach shoe with a mountain boot performance. It’s for taking on moderate technical alpine climbs and easy rock. They’re compatible with semi-step-in crampons, such as the Grivel Air Tech or Petzl Lynx. OD stands for OutDry, a waterproof lining that Scarpa have begun to use in some models instead of GoreTex. The lacing uses an eyelet system that is easy to use. Highly recommended for alpine climbers looking to move fast.

The North Face

Safien Mid GTX Hiker $200

The Safien is a comfortable hiking boot that sheds moisture and gives your great protection on trails. Great for moving fast over big boulders, tree roots and through scree. They have a short break-in period, are stylish and supportive. They are true to fit and give great grip on slick surfaces. Highly recommended.

Scarpa

Kinesis Pro GTX Backpacker $420

The Kinesis Pro handles better than most boots in demanding terrain and give excellent ankle stability. Like all Scarpa boots, they’re very comfortable. The lacing system is slick and holds the boot in place. The waterproofing is long-lasting and keeps your feet nice and dry in damp conditions. Ideal for narrow-footed hikers. The Vibram sole stands up to the test of time, and you won’t notice any tread loss for a long time.

Keen

Karraig Mid WP $250

The Karraig is designed for the backcountry enthusiast who is going to pack hundreds of kilometres of hiking into a season. Not only do they get more comfortable with time, but the board-lasted construction helps keep the rigidity for long-lasting stability. One of the best features is the heel brake that gives extra support on long descents.

Salewa

Mountain Trainer Mid GTX Hiker $300

The Mountain Trainer is a rugged boot that is at home on sharp rock and broken trails. The stiff fit gives great support on unstable ground. The lacing system runs down to the toe. They’re great at edging and precise movements on technical terrain. The heel welt allows for use with semiautomatic or hybrid crampons. Use leather conditioner to prolong the life of your boots. Recommended for scramblers.—Gripped