La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Leather

RRP £160 TARGET PRICE £120 Everything I want from boots that I can rack up miles in over spring and summer is embodied in the Ultra Raptor IIs. They’re lightweight (an impressive 460g) yet sufficiently robust. They’re also stable and supportive enough for negotiating hill country, but not at all clumpy or restrictive. And crucially, they’re waterproof. In every respect they strike a Goldilocks balance. Putting them through their paces in the Yorkshire Dales, I found them wonderfully versatile and comfy – uphill, downhill and on the level. The soft nubuck uppers are reinforced, and together with the last shape and TPU cradles around the heels, they gave my feet a very stable, supportive ride. Cushioning comes from a moulded Eva midsole bonded to an abrasion-resistant outsole with softer, grippier lugs and something La Sportiva calls a ‘Trail Bite Heel’ for descents. From the heels, the outsoles have a ‘rocking’ profile, curving up to robust rubber toe caps. Also of note are the padded collars. The collars are scooped at the back, where a stretchy, half-moon piece of fabric called an ‘easy-fit spoiler’ stops grit from getting in. It’s nifty features like this that set these boots apart. It’s also worth noting they come in non-leather and wide-fit versions.

BEST FOR

Spring-summer use and multi-day trails of the rockier, rollier variety.

KEY DETAILS Weight per boot: 460g (44) Sizes: EU 38-49.5 + wide fit Membrane: Gore-Tex Extended Comfort Contact: 01539 624040, lasportiva.com/en

+ Excellent stability, good grip and clever design – Toe cap could be wider