ASOLO FLAME GTX GORE-TEX £120

USED BY former Trail mag slave and trail shoe convert Claire Maxted USED FOR 8 years

These boots tried to kill me! When I left Trail to edit

in 2010 I started lolloping gamely through the mountains in trail shoes rather than walking boots, so I’m ashamed to say this beloved 1200g pair were abandoned. This September I found them sitting forlornly on a shed shelf and joyfully popped them on. Mmmm, so comfy. However, halfway up Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor Trail Running high above Glen Coe, I was enjoying their snug, warm fit, robust grip and Gore-Tex waterproofing for all of 45 minutes before I realised they were getting their own back. The sole of the left boot was flapping away, creating a trip hazard that could have seen me plummeting from this Grade 3 scramble route. I considered superglue, but I think six years of shed-based neglect is irreparable. I’d have the same pair again if I could.

VERDICT

Don’t abandon boots in a shed for six years and expect them not to bite back!