Trail (UK)

AKU Tengu Lite GTX £225

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Excellent ankle cuff, full wraparound rand, high bellows tongue - Pricey, no women’s specific version, style won’t suit everyone This boot stands out from the crowd in several ways. Firstly, it has more of a mountainee­ring-style look and constructi­on, with features akin to an approach shoe – full wraparound rand and lacing all the way to the toe, for example. Secondly, the clever ankle cuff – a socklike collar that hugs your ankle – is exceptiona­lly comfy and precise-fitting, with good flexibilit­y and support, as well as a very high bellow tongue for higher-upthe-ankle waterproof­ing. And thirdly, the slightly odd ‘fingers’ of tougher material, which wrap around your ankle, deliver a touch of additional support and sturdiness.

The end result of all these design features is an excellent boot that imbues you with confidence over scrambly, rocky ground thanks to just enough lateral and heel-to-toe stiffness, but still feels comfy and cushioned enough for big mileage days, with good forward motion and a nice ride to each step. It’s a great balance.

You also get a Gore-Tex liner, practical Vibram Curcuma outsole with deep wellspaced lugs and a good heel breast, and an upper made from suede and AKU’s Air 8000 fabric. That upper won’t be as durable as single-piece leather and these boots are still relatively heavy. But for UK hillwalkin­g they are very well-suited.

■ Men’s sizes 3-13 ■ Women’s sizes n/a ■ Weight 635g per boot (9)

Verdict

A well-made, technical, waterproof boot with a striking ankle cuff – but it is expensive.

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