Comparison Review: Trying out the trekking shoes recommended by a mountaineering shop staff member

We asked them to choose the most comfortable and least tiring trekking shoes

There are many types of shoes designed for mountain climbing, depending on the location and season, but the trekking shoes (boots) we will be reporting on here are the most versatile, as they can be used anywhere in Japan, from low mountains to the Japanese Alps, as long as there is no snow on the roads

As I mentioned in a previous post, the key to choosing the perfect trekking shoes is actually getting fitted . In that sense, finding the perfect hiking boots for you ultimately comes down to a matter of fate, no matter how much knowledge you have. That's not to say, but in choosing the best trekking shoes this time, I decided not to narrow down the numerous options myself. Instead, when I finally found myself undecided, I stuck to the recommendation of a mountaineering shop staff member . Perhaps, depending on the shop, they actually tried on the shoes themselves and recommended their favorite model, or perhaps they were just pushing a popular item. Regardless of the case, there's no doubt that it was the shop's recommendation. It's a kind of fate, and what kind of chemical reaction will emerge from this once-in-a-lifetime encounter with unknown gear? Hoping for that, let's get started.

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About the trekking shoes compared this time

When selecting items this time, I made requests to the store staff roughly like this (although in reality, I wasn't that specific)

• It has enough support and durability to allow you to traverse the common routes of the Northern Alps in a few nights
• It's always better if the shoes are easy to walk in, but at the very least, the soles should be hard enough that you can attach light crampons in case of an emergency
• I don't want to get injured so I'll cut it at least mid-length
• It's better to be as light as possible

Please note that, although not limited to this case, the reviews contain many of the editorial department's own opinions based on individual tests, and we cannot guarantee that all users will receive the same reviews or opinions (especially in the case of the shoes in this case). We ask that visitors make their own final decisions regarding the information they choose to accept or reject

Comparison test items

Salewa MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID GORE-TEX

MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID GORE-TEX

Salewa

32,400 yen

630g

Garmont RAMBLER GTX

Titanium Ultra Light Deep Cooker RED

EVERNEW

30,780 yen

720g

Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid GTX Mid Hiking Boots

Bora2 Mid GTX Mid Hiking Boots

Arc'teryx

45,360 yen

600g

VASQUE St. Elias GTX

St. Elias GTX

VASQUE

24,800 yen

689g

SIRIO PF430

PF430

SIRIO

31,320 yen

590g

Test environment

Between August and November 2015, we conducted comparative tests of different types of footwear under the same conditions in various terrains, including Joetsu, Yatsugatake, and the Southern Alps

Detailed evaluation through practical testing

Comfort

In any case, nothing good can come from uncomfortable shoes. When it comes to trekking shoes, which are subjected to strong gravity and friction for long periods of time, one of the most important factors is how well they fit and how comfortably they can be worn. When evaluating comfort, our editorial team focuses on the following points when putting on the shoes and after walking for a while

• The fit when you put your foot in and tighten the laces
• Toe space
• Cushioning of the soles of your feet when standing
• Fit, support and stability around the heel
• Sweat management and breathability

The Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid received high marks in most of these categories . Its unique dual-layered outer and inner structure creates no extra space between the foot and the shoe, gently enveloping the entire foot. The exposed instep, lacking a tongue, provides excellent breathability. Meanwhile, the Garmont Rambler , with its unique heel lock system, provides an excellent, comfortable fit around the heel that is unmatched by any other shoe. The Salewa Mountain Trainer Mid , is highly sensitive to the tightness of the shoelaces and allows for more precise fit adjustments, including two interchangeable footbeds.

Grip

This item evaluates how well the shoe can transmit force to the ground without slipping when weight is placed on it. In the mountains, you have to walk on a wider variety of ground conditions than you might think, so flat soles like those worn indoors or in the city are completely useless. From here, each shoe manufacturer designs each element based on their own concept, taking into account the balance between durability and weight, such as materials that are hard enough to withstand heavy loads, deep grooves that prevent slipping even in deep mud, groove patterns that make it easy to expel trapped mud, and toes that allow for stability even on small footholds on rocky surfaces

What stood out in this test was the Salewa MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID The Vibram Alpine Approach sole, designed for stability on rocky terrain while also resistant to rough terrain like mud and snow, offers excellent braking when placing your foot down, as well as excellent stability and stability when stepping out. It's amazing how different shoes can make such a difference in walking comfort. Meanwhile, the Garmont RAMBLER , offers excellent stability on rough terrain and steep slopes despite its conventional shape. The Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid 's softer sole might lead one to think it would compromise grip, but its unique, carefully designed sole pattern provided excellent grip in a wide range of situations, from rocky terrain to boardwalks.

From left to right, the Salewa MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID, Garmont RAMBLER, and Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid showed excellent grip even on rough terrain

stability

No matter how well your shoes fit your foot shape, the shoe's construction (particularly the heel-to-ankle construction) will determine whether your foot stays firmly in place while walking, and how well it balances ankle support and mobility. The ability to maintain the initial fit (i.e., stability) even over extended periods of walking depends on the shoe's construction. First and foremost, I want to emphasize the the Garmont Rambler 's heel fit. The luxurious feel from the heel to the ankle, which comfortably cradles your heel, keeps you stable and secure even when you start walking and apply pressure vertically and horizontally. Conversely, the SIRIO PF430 offers decent grip and fit, but the heel isn't held firmly in place, resulting in noticeable movement within the shoe (though this could simply be due to a mismatched foot shape).

durability

Aside from durability, the Garmont RAMBLER and SIRIO PF430 seem to be stronger in terms of resistance to friction and tearing, and rigidity against external pressure. However, that doesn't mean the other models are weaker; the top two are simply a step ahead in relative ranking, but all of them are quite durable.

weight

There's a saying that "100g of shoes is equivalent to 500g of luggage," so you want to pay more attention to the weight of your trekking shoes than any other piece of gear. The lightest is the SIRIO PF430. However, when it comes to feeling the lightness, the Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid . While it's certainly important that the shoes themselves are light, it's important to remember that even if the difference is only a few tens of grams, shoes with a better fit will distribute the weight on your feet more evenly, resulting in less noticeable weight.

Summary of this comparison: Here's our top pick of the best

Salewa MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID GORE-TEX : A professional-grade product with a comfortable fit, excellent grip, and durability even on technical terrain.

This long-established company, born in Germany in 1935 and raised in Italy, may not be a familiar name in Japan, but it's actually a daring company, always eager to develop innovative designs and new technologies. With the recent establishment of a Japanese subsidiary, it's a manufacturer to watch. I spotted these at an outdoor shop in Suidobashi, and they were an incredibly well-balanced pair of trekking shoes, combining the lightness and grip of approach shoes with the stability and protection of alpine boots. They're effortless on both standard hiking trails and technical rocky terrain, and don't tire you out even after long periods of walking. The design is also quite good (typically Italian?), and so far I haven't found any flaws. Their surprisingly streamlined form will blend seamlessly into everything from climbing Mount Takao to Mount Yari

MOUNTAIN TRAINER MID GORE-TEX

Salewa

32,400 yen

630g

Garmont RAMBLER GTX : A reliable and durable bike with a perfect fit.

Picked up at a shop in Ginza. Garmont has made no attempt to emphasize the recent trends of "lightness" or "breathability," but has instead focused solely on the elements traditionally required of hiking boots: durability, stability under heavy loads and rough terrain, and, of course, comfort. Above all else, the sense of security is outstanding, and I can confidently recommend them to anyone looking to tackle a slightly more challenging mountain. You'll feel that sense of security from the moment you put them on!

However, it seems that the brand once faced a bankruptcy scandal in its home country, so it is unclear whether it will be available in Japan from next season onwards (next season's models were exhibited at an exhibition in the US, so it seems that someone has taken over management, but the details are unknown)

Garmont RAMBLER GTX

EVERNEW

30,780 yen

720g

Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid GTX Mid Hiking Boots : A comfortable and lightweight trekking shoe for speed hikers

Arc'teryx's first shoe is a truly ambitious product, packed with innovations from every angle, including a removable double structure, tongueless design, and custom sole patterns. At first, I was put off by this seemingly shady approach and the high price, but after trying them on, I was convinced. The incredibly comfortable fit and breathability are so addictive that once you experience them, you won't be able to move on to other shoes. In a way, it's quite dangerous

For more details, please see the review here

Bora2 Mid GTX Mid Hiking Boots

Arc'teryx

45,360 yen

600g

We have tried to evaluate the shoes based on as objective an index as possible, but the shape of people's feet and the way they walk vary greatly. We believe that your evaluation will be slightly different. Finding your one and only pair of shoes is no easy task, but we hope that this report will be of some help to you

the VASQUE St. Elias GTX, I haven't mentioned much this time, is by no means a bad shoe. Despite being made entirely of leather, it fits your feet from the start, has a soft sole that doesn't tire you out even when walking on flat ground, and yet has high rigidity and grip that makes it easy to handle even on serious mountain hikes. If you tend to do more low-mountain hiking and prefer the feel and texture of leather, then these should be more satisfying!

   

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