Scarpa Rush TRK GTX £185

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Good value for money, relatively light, well-made -

Not the comfiest

Neither an ultra-light, trainer-like modern boot nor a heavy, traditional leather boot, the Rush TRK GTX is instead a bit of a halfway house, striking a balance between the two. The aim is to give walkers the best of both worlds: a boot that is strong, waterproof and protective enough for genuine 3-season use in all conditions, but that simultaneously feels light, nimble and comfy enough for big mileage days.

Is this goal achieved? The bad news is that you don’t get anywhere near as much out-of-the-box comfort as lighter boots, and – in our tests at least – we struggled with some heel slippage and slight foot discomfort due to the narrow volume. The good news, however, is that all of the highend craftsmanship and top-notch features you’d expect from Scarpa are present. The 1.6-1.8mm suede leather upper feels both durable yet flexible, the Gore-Tex liner ensures breathability and waterproofing, and the Presa outsole delivers good traction. You also get a tough toe bumper, softly-padded wraparound ankle cuff (known as an Autofit 3D Collar), and a nice balance between stiffness and flex.

For some this boot might be a jack of all trades master of none; for others it’ll hit the mid-range sweet spot.

■ Men’s sizes EU 41-48

■ Women’s sizes EU 36-42

■ Weight 555g per boot (men’s EU 42)

Verdict

A mid-range boot that strikes a nice balance between weight, durability and performance.