Review: Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid GTX Mid Hiking Boots
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
table of contents
A completely new approach has led to an extraordinary fit
Due to its uncompromising attitude towards quality, Arc'teryx, which has been gaining strong trust and attention in recent years, has finally made its way into footwear this season. Naturally, the news quickly traverses the outdoors industry. And with all the excitement, the multi-structure trekking boots were made with a removable liner that was tongueless and a seamless upper shell with a thermally laminated structure. Their ingenuity of their visuals and concepts makes them completely above the expectations of people, and their solitaryness is beyond surprise and even moving. This is how the Bora2 Mid GTX suddenly caught the attention of 2015, and I was more skeptical than anticipating it (because of my usual habit), but when I tried it, I tried it, it was all right! With a series of surprising details that cannot be seen just by appearance, it has become an unforgettable gear that represents the trekking boots of the 10s. Let's start a review right away.
Detailed review
Item name (reference price)
Arc'teryx Bora2 Mid GTX Mid Hiking Boots (Reference Price: 45,360 yen)
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| weight | 600g (one foot) |
| material |
|
| waterproof | GORE-TEX |
| upper | Durable, seamless single thermal laminate upper |
| liner | Lightweight, quick-drying, removable GORE-TEX midliner |
| Sole | Vibram Arc'teryx Hiking outsole that combines slip-resistant, agility, support and durability |
| Variations | Bora Mid GTX Hiking Boots with Liners |
| Color variations | none |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Grip power | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| price | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Overall score | ★★★★☆ |
This is amazing!
Multiple structure of liner upper that provides a different dimension of fit and comfort
One notable feature of all things is the presence of the Arc'teryx adaptive fit liner, completely removable, almost like a high-end alpine boot. First, put your feet in the elastic liner, and it wraps around your feet in a similar way to wearing socks, and then the moment you put on the shell, you will notice a sense of surprise. There is no slight sense of lumpy pressure that you would expect to feel, whether you're wearing boots, or not, and there is a sense of uniformity between the boots and your feet, along with the extension of the socks, giving you a fit that you've never felt before. To put it in a way, it's more like wearing shoes than wearing shoes . Not to mention this ultra-comfortable fit removes excessive load on parts of your foot, minimizing the risk of blisters.
Furthermore, the liner, which minimizes the seams and eliminates the tongue, is lightweight and breathable, waterproof and stretchy, so your boots won't get stuffy at all even if you walk for a long time in harsh weather . In addition, traditional trekking shoes can be used alone with only the liner on the liner, separated and dried even when wet, and of course removable and washable, making it hygienic, and insulated versions that can be used in cold seasons can be replaced separately , and can be replaced separately.
When wearing double-layered boots, it is easier to wear by wearing the removed liner and then putting the feet in the shell.
A sole that allows for light walking
The sole of the Bora2 Mid GTX is not as hard as Alpine boots, which are mainly used in steep rocky areas, but it is not too flexible like hiking shoes that go down gentle, unpaved roads. Yes, the boots are designed to have a wide range of fields, and we aim to be able to wear them regardless of terrain, from fast and light mountain trips that run through flat mountain trails with light equipment to technical routes with rocky ridges . At first glance, this concept seemed a bit half-hearted, but as I walked from a low mountain stroll near the Kanto region through a continuum of streams and rocky areas like Mt. Togakushi in the Alps and Shinshu, I felt that this concern was fully addressed by ingenuity in detail.
Specifically, the outsole, which was developed in collaboration with Arcteryx by Vibram, a highly reliable sole manufacturer, has a unique pattern of outsoles that are deep and large, and is structured to prevent it from losing stability even under heavy loads, and yet has a moderate amount of tension (softness) and a great grip.
Furthermore, the "Y" groove split heel technology in the center improves braking performance, with the toe being flat, making it easier to grasp even fine holds on rocky areas with friction.
And the spherical heel design to the smooth curved toe line (photo below) helps to move your weight smoothly from heel to toe, especially when walking on flat ground, so it doesn't feel as difficult to walk on paved roads as you would expect.
Custom string hooks that are easy to tie and hard to loosen
The final part is a unique hook structure with a very high fixing force, but it is easy to tie and difficult to loosen. You can lock the tightly tightened shoelaces perfectly.
This is not good
price
It is certain that they have achieved high quality in small amounts, but as usual, the price is difficult to afford. Not only in our home country, but also in Japan, the weak yen has become even more troubling.
Balance of upper rigidity and flexibility
This is the problem that caught my eye on this test. The upper has highly calculated durability and flexibility, but on the other hand, I was concerned about the rigidity due to its thinness and the ease of bend of the upper. There is a bit of concern about the minimum necessary protection, except for the heels and toes, compared to regular leather materials (even if it is essentially not a problem). It's just right when you think of it as a sturdy hiking boot, but when you think of it as light alpine boots, it gives the impression that it's a bit too lax.
Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?
It is certainly a good shoe with a comfortable fit, high grip and stability that can be worn regardless of the terrain, but considering this high cost, it seems like it is over-spec for use as a hike in the vicinity, light mountain climbing for huts, or approach shoes. There are many other cheap boots that are just right. On the other hand, if you want to combine lightness and comfort, such as a technical route such as a rocky ridge, or if you want to achieve both lightness and comfort, such as running through long trails at speed, your all-purpose support and grip will fully demonstrate your ability. Of course, it is easy to wear and comfortable, so no matter what type of needs people of all levels have, they will meet the expectations that are worthy of the price.
