SCRAMBLING BOOTS

BUYING GUIDE If clambering along ridges, around buttresses, and over rock that’s more vertical than horizontal is your idea of the perfect mountain route then it’s worth investing in a dedicated pair of scrambling boots. Here’s what to look for.

FIT

Regardless of how highly recommended a boot is, fit is everything. Try boots on in a specialist shop and go with a pair that fits best, rather than those you most like the look of. Consider additional insoles to improve fit and comfort.

RAND

A thick rubber strip (or ‘rand’) that wraps around part or, ideally, all of the boot adds durability. This is particularly important on scrambling boots which will have plenty of contact with rough rock.

OUTSOLE

While chunky lugs offer better grip on soft ground they aren't ideal for scrambling. Look for a slightly shallower tread and a flattened area near the toe, sometimes labelled as a dedicated ‘climbing zone’. Softer rubber offers better grip, but harder compounds are preferable for standing on small edges on the rock.

CRAMPON COMPATIBILITY Some scrambling boots are designed from an Alpine perspective where routes often cross glaciers. These boots might feature a rear heel welt to allow the attachment of flexible crampons.

LACING

Boots designed for scrambling usually lace all the way down to the toe for a precision fit. Locking lace hooks higher up the boot allow you to adjust the tension between the forefoot and the ankle.

TOE BOX

Scrambling boots tend to have a narrower toe box to allow for more precise footwork when climbing. However, it is still vital that the boot fits your feet properly and you will need to be able to walk comfortably as well as climb in your boots, so don’t go too snug.

MIDSOLE STIFFNESS

Stiff scrambling boots are great for hard, edgy routes where you may have to stand on small footholds to make progress. For easier scrambles and boots that you also want to be able to walk in, a more flexible midsole is more comfortable.

LA SPORTIVA TRANGO TECH LEATHER GTX £255

When asked to create a boot that guides, rescue teams, and workers could use all day, all year round in the mountains, the Trango Tech Leather was the result. Lightweight, flexible, and comfortable, it’s perfect for mountain hiking. And yet the durable Nubuck upper, heel and toe rand, lacing to the toe, a crampon compatible midsole and La Sportiva's exclusive high traction Cube design Vibram sole mean it’s also at home on more challenging terrain. VERDICT It claims to be good at everything and backs it up with performance. A hugely impressive piece of mountain footwear design.

SCARPA RIBELLE LITE HD £280

For a relatively stiff pair of scrambling boots the Ribelle Lite is, as the name suggests, remarkably light – 650g per size 42 boot. The toe box feels precise when scrambling yet still allows a natural walking gait. And it’s a comfortable boot to walk in, thanks to the flexible ankle cuff and Pentax Precision Roll sole. The upper and midsole are wrapped in a PU Tech layer for excellent abrasion resistance without the weight of a conventional rubber rand.

VERDICT An excellent choice for tougher routes and steeper terrain that will also handle a bit of snow and ensure you stand out on the mountain.

MEINDL LITEPEAK PRO GTX £273

An Alpine-inspired, crampon compatible boot, the Litepeak is ideally suited to tough scrambling in the UK. The mix of synthetic and leather material on an upper that’s reassuringly low on stitching makes for a robust boot, and the full rand only improves its resilience. The lacing extends all the way to the toe for a precision fit, the Variofix system holds the heel snugly, and the Vibram Alpin Ridge sole adds cushioning for walking comfort.

VERDICT A boot that will be as capable on the challenging ascents as it will be comfortable on the long walks out.