WINTER BOOTS
HANWAG / MAKRA COMBI £215
Combining precision, versatility, stiffness and the ability to be used with semi-automatic crampons, this alpine boot is a great option for UK winter hillwalkers. Super lightweight for the spec, and with a sole optimised for climbing, these might just tick most of the boxes for a true do-it-all winter boot. 1562g (pair, size 11) / Men’s 6-13 / Women’s 3.5-9
ALT-BERG / MALLERSTANG £240
This traditionally-inspired boot uses top-quality materials including a near stitch-free leather upper, a waterproof lining, aggressive sole unit and compatibility with C1 crampons, and comes in five width fittings. An excellent and versatile shoulder-season boot for UK hillwalking with proven durability. 1982g (pair, size
11) / Men’s 5-14 / Women’s n/a
SALEWA / RAVEN 2 £250
Style-wise the Raven 2 perhaps looks a little higher up the mountain than it is, but that doesn’t stop it from being a seriously capable 3-4 season boot. A full rubber rand and a Gore-Tex lining keep the boot protected from duffs and water ingress, while a high ankle cuff and an impressively stiff sole give it fortitude on rougher ground.
1866g (pair size 46) / Men’s
6-13 / Women’s 3-9
ASOLO / ELBRUS GV £255
High mountains need a serious boot – and the Elbrus GV is almost as serious as it gets before you start paying silly money. A massive rand covers the suede and Schoeller synthetic upper, while a Gore-Tex lining and an aggressive sole ensure your feet are dry and steady. For the Alps, serious winter Munros and higher peaks in the Andes, these are hard to beat. 1802g (pair size 11) / Men’s 6-13 / Women’s 4.5-9
ZAMBERLAN / VIOZ PLUS GTX £220
The well-proven Vioz range is in full-featured mode with this Vioz Plus, with a fullgrain leather upper, an all-round rand, a Gore-Tex lining and C1 crampon compatibility. The high ankle support offers security for all manners of terrain, while the excellent sole unit is suited as much to snow and scree as it is to fell paths and trails. For a solid all-rounder the Vioz Plus is hard to beat. 2044g (pair, size 46)
/ Men’s 37-49 / Women’s n/a
LA SPORTIVA / TRANGO TOWER £280
Fast becoming a classic for adventurous winter walkers, the Trango Tower GTX is a well-built, tough as nails crossover boot with 3-4 season versatility but 4-season capability. With a high ankle cuff, top-quality materials, a stiff sole, relatively light weight and a heel ledge for the use of semi-automatic crampons, there is very little this boot can’t cope with – all you need to consider is whether it’s a tad too technical for your needs. 1728g (pair, size 46) / Men’s 36-48 / Women’s 36-43
SCARPA / SL ACTIV £250
Newly redesigned to address the only real problem of this near-perfect boot – the weight – with the addition of a new sole unit, the Scarpa SL continues to set the standard for an almost do-anything boot. Compatible with a C1 crampon and constructed from durable high-quality leather with minimal stitching, for hillwalking above and below the snowline these are the real deal. 1918g (pair size 46) / Men’s 41-50 / Women’s n/a
SCARPA / RIBELLE LIGHT OD £275
An exciting new boot that combines the technical capabilities of a 4-season boot with the weight and versatility of yearround footwear. Featuring a technical synthetic upper lining, full rand, and an aggressive but precise sole unit, it’s designed to take its user from the valley to the heights of the Alps. It’s a little early to tell, but while its sole may be a little too stiff for long distances, for B2 crampon use on winter summits this may be a hot ticket. 1548g (pair size 11) / Men’s 41-48 / Women’s n/a
MEINDL / JORASSE GTX £295
A great boot for those with wider feet, the Jorasse is a fully-featured Alpine boot which will take a B2 crampon and cope with any kind of British terrain year-round. A spacious toe box, hugely supportive ankle cuff and stern waterproofing in the form of a Gore-Tex liner make this an excellent choice. A softer sole and good rolling action make it palatable for long distances on mixed terrain too. 1858g (pair, size 11) / Men’s 6-12 / Women’s 3.5-8
SCARPA / MANTA PRO GTX £320
For many the gold standard of a versatile winter boot, the Mantas have been steadily improving since their inception nearly 40 years ago. Now packing Gore-Tex, B2 crampon compatibility, and a slightly more flexible sole for lower walking, the 2018-spec Manta Pro offers a more contemporary design and an even more aggressive sole unit – and it’s all the better for it. 2074g (pair, size 46) / Men’s 40-50 / Women’s 36-42