Comparison review: Comparing the recommended trekking shoes from mountaineering shop staff

They chose trekking shoes that are the easiest to walk and less tiring.

There are many types of shoes designed for mountain climbing depending on the climbing location and season, but the trekking shoes (boots) we report on this article are the most widely used shoes that can be used anywhere in Japan, from low mountains to the Japanese Alps, as far as snow-free roads are concerned.

As I have summarized in my previous entry, it is important to "actually fitting" . In that sense, encountering the perfect mountaineering boots is a perfect match for you, no matter how much knowledge you have, in the end, it can be said that it is a "connection." That's not to say that, but when choosing the best trekking shoe candidates this time, I stopped narrowing down the many candidates to the end, and when I finally decided whether to decide which one to choose, I chose the following as a restriction: Choosing the recommendations of a mountaineering shop clerk Perhaps some shops have really put on their own and encouraged their favorite models, while others have pushed the best-selling products. However, no matter which one is, there is no doubt that it is the shop's recommendation. That too, what kind of chemical reaction will a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with unknown tools be shown? With such a high hopes, let's get started right away.

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About the trekking shoes compared this time

When we were picking up this time, we generally make requests from the store clerk like this (although it's not actually that clear).

• It has enough support and durability to traverse the general route of the Northern Alps in just a few nights.
• I've never put it in a comfortable way, but the sole is so hard that you can attach a light crampon at least in the unlikely event.
• I don't want to get injured so I cut it a middle cut or more.
• It's best to keep it as light as possible.

Although this is not limited to this time, the ratings contain many unique opinions based on individual tests conducted by the editorial department, so we cannot guarantee that all users will receive the same ratings and opinions (especially for shoes and the like). Visitors are required to make the final selection of information at their own discretion.

Comparative test items

Salewa MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID GORE-TEX

Garmont RAMBLER GTX

Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid GTX Mid Hiking Boots

VASQUE St. Elias GTX

SIRIO PF430

Test environment

From August to November 2015, we conducted a comparison of the shoes under the same conditions on various terrains, including Joetsu, Yatsugatake, and the Southern Alps.

Detailed evaluation using field tests

Comfort

In any case, nothing can start with unpleasant shoes. One of the most important factors is how to wear and how comfortable you can wear it when you are long-term, with strong gravity and friction. When evaluating this comfort, the editorial department focuses mainly on the following points when wearing shoes and after walking for a while.

• Fits when you put your feet in and tightens your shoelaces
• Toe space available
• Cushioning on the soles of the feet when standing
• Fit, support, and fixed around the heel
• Sweat treatment, breathability

Most of these items received high praise from the Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid . The double structure of outerwear and innerwear, which was unlikely to happen, does not create any extra space between the feet and shoes, and gently fits the entire foot, enveloping it. The exposed inner part with no tongue (stool) is also extremely breathable. the Garmont RAMBLER has its own unique heel lock system , has an excellent fit around the heel, making it comfortable to wear with any other shoe. the Salewa MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID has a flexible upper leather , is highly sensitive to the tightness of the shoelaces, and allows for more delicate fit adjustments, including two replaceable footbeds.

Grip power

This item evaluates how much weight can be applied to the ground without slipping. In the mountains, you have to walk on grounds with more different conditions than you might expect, and flat soles like those worn indoors and in the city are of no use at all. Based on their own concepts, each shoe manufacturer designs each element, such as a hard material that is hard to bear even if it is heavy, deep grooves that do not slip even in deep mud, a pattern of grooves that can easily drain clogged mud, and toes that hold up even when small footsteps on rocky areas, while considering a balance between durability and weight.

What stood out in this test was the versatile Salewa MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID The Vibram Alpine Approach a Vibram sole that emphasizes stability on rocky areas and is resistant to rough roads such as mud and snow, offers excellent braking when placing your feet on, as well as stability and stability when stepping on. The perfection made me think that the shoes are so easy to walk in just by different shoes. the Garmont RAMBLER has the hardest sole of this time , has an orthodox shape, yet has excellent stability on rough roads and steep slopes. In addition the Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid 's soft sole may damage grip, but the unique sole pattern calculated everywhere has provided excellent grip in a wide range of situations, from rocky areas to wooden paths.

Stability

No matter how well you choose a shoe that fits your foot shape, the ability (= stability) to maintain the fit instantly even when you walk (especially from the heel to the ankle) depends on the shoe's structure (especially the structure from the heel to the ankle) whether the foot is firmly fixed in the shoe even when walking, and the balance of ankle support and mobility. Whatever I say here, the first thing I would like to say is the fit of the heel, which is excellent in comfort and support, even in Garmont RAMBLER The moment you put your foot in, the luxurious feel from the heel to the ankle, which comfortably holds the heel, allows you to continue walking in a very stable manner without any shaking, even when you start walking and apply force to your vertical and horizontal directions. On the other hand, the SIRIO PF430 has a decent grip and fit, but the heel hold is poor, making it seem like the shaking inside the shoe can't be ignored (although it is possible that the foot shape doesn't fit).

Durability

Garmont RAMBLER and SIRIO PF430 are strong in terms of strength against friction and tear, and rigidity against external pressure However, that's not to say that the other models are that weak. They are just one of the two above in terms of relative rankings, and all of them are well-responsive.

weight

There are many sayings that "100g of shoes is equivalent to 500g of luggage," and you'll want to be more careful about the weight of trekking shoes than other gear. The lightest is the SIRIO PF430. the Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid felt the most comfortable way to go . It is certainly important that the shoes themselves are light, but we must not forget that if the difference is tens of grams, a shoe with a firm fit will distribute the load on your feet more evenly, resulting in less weight.

Comparison of this time: Here are the "recommended recommendations"

Moderate fit, high grip, and strong technical terrain:
Salewa MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID GORE-TEX

The long-established company was born in Germany in 1935 and raised in Italy, and may not be familiar to Japan, but in fact, it is a tricky guy who is always greedy for innovative designs and new technologies. With the recent establishment of a Japanese subsidiary, it is also a manufacturer that is attracting attention from now on. This trekking shoe I saw at an outdoor shop in Suidobashi was an extremely well-balanced trekking shoe that combines the lightness and grip of approach shoes with the stability and protection performance of alpine boots. It doesn't bother you with general mountain trails or technical rocky areas at all, and you won't get tired even after long walking. The design is also quite (Is it Italian?) and so far I have no flaws. The surprisingly clean form will blend in without any discomfort, from climbing Mt. Takao to Mt. Yari.

Reliable robustness and ultimate fit are recommended for everyone:
Garmont RAMBLER GTX

Picked up at a certain shop in Ginza. Without even mentioning the recent trends of "lightness" or "breathability", Garmont has been a direct evolution of the elements that have been sought after in traditional mountaineering boots, durability, stability on heavy loads and rough roads, and of course, comfort. Above all, this sense of security is outstanding, and I can confidently recommend it to anyone looking to challenge a slightly higher level mountain. You'll surely feel that sense of security on the moment you put it on!

However, there seems to have been a bankruptcy in the home country, and it is not clear that it will be handled in Japan from next fiscal year onwards (they exhibited next season models at an exhibition in the United States, so it appears that someone has taken over the management, but the details are unknown).

Authentic Trekking Shoes for Comfortable and Light Speed ​​Hikers:
Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid GTX Mid Hiking Boots

Arcteryx's first entry into the shoe industry is an ambitious product that incorporates new ideas from every corner, including a removable double structure, a tongueless shoe, and a custom sole pattern. At first, Columbus's egg-like approach was shady at first, and I was avoided because it was expensive, but after trying it I was convinced. The extremely comfortable fit and breathability are so addictive that once you've tasted it you won't be able to transfer to other shoes. It's very dangerous in a way.

Details have been reviewed here. Please use this as a reference.

I tried to evaluate it based on as much objective indicators as possible, but the shape of a person's feet and how he walks differed in a variety of ways. I think everyone's reviews will gradually change. In this way, encountering fateful footage is not an easy path, but I hope this report will be of some help.

the VASQUE St. Elias GTX, which I haven't mentioned much this time, is not a bad shoe either. Despite being all leather, it fits with your feet from the beginning, and is soft and won't tire you out on flat ground, and yet the high rigidity and grip are very easy to use, making it perfect for serious traversing. If you're more of a low mountain hike and prefer the feel and texture of the leather, this one is probably more satisfying! ?