So naturally, when my last pair of boots failed me (See Boots – Meindl Litepeak ProGTX) I was a little disheartened, but excited to start finding a worthy replacement. There’s an age-old argument amongst enthusiasts and professionals alike; Boots Vs. Shoes. It used to be pretty easy to choose. If you’re running/climbing, wear shoes; If you’re hiking over bad ground, wear boots. But nowadays, with shoes being blessed with some pretty fancy tech, and boots getting lighter and more breathable, the choice is a little less obvious. Outsole: Taking care of grip is a Vibram sole unit. A tall, sharp heel digs into loose ground when descending, while widely spaced lugs self-clean as you walk. NOTE: The above table is only a guide. Manufactures don’t like tomake it easy as every single oneof them strays from the measurements above. This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister.

memo foam is incorporated into the shoe, which provides insulation at higher altitudes and at lower temperatures. A pre-shaped tongue construction is supplemented with 2-zone lacing, which supports the anatomy of the foot and works with its natural rolling movement so you don’t feel restricted.

Stand on the A4 paper with your heel pressed firmly against the wall and your foot pointed forward with the edge of your big toe aligned with the edge of the paper. I’ve found the sole, a Vibram effort, to be perfect in both aggressiveness and support, all while allowing the user to attach some pretty functional C1 crampons. A nice balance between comfort, useability and function. The idea that some people may spend more time researching and funding their morning coffee than the footwear on their feet seems laughable when you write it down.

But let’s not dwell on what you don’t have, instead we shall teach you how to ascertain your size using some common household objects. Mammut's 2-zone lacing system allows you to fine-tune the fit based on the shape of your foot, while their Motion Control technology prevents the ankle twisting during use, yet still allows your foot to move naturally without restriction. Inside the boot, a mixture of soft fabrics, a pre-shaped tongue and memory foam mould to the shape of your foot for increased comfort. Mammut actually use the same memory foam that Mercedes use in the seats of their cars! Lastly, the Kento is crampon compatible thanks to a wedge on the heel. The Kento is constructed from a mixture of both synthetic and natural materials. The majority of the upper is made from high-quality velours leather, which is soft, warm and comfortable, perfect for high alpine environments. The remainder is formed of a supple textile material that provides exceptional dexterity and comfort. All in all, these boots are in brilliant contrast to my previous ones. A true all-rounder with serious bragging rights in the looks and function department. Time will tell on just how hard wearing they are – providing my inner magpie doesn’t see something shinier. Stand Out FeaturesIn our Hereford shop we offer a professional boot fitting service where we assess your feet, find a selection of boots that match you foot shape and most importantly we make sure that they are comfortable.This iseasy to do in the shop, where we have access tothe right tools, the option of letting you try on as many styles as you like and a knowledgeable member of staff that cancommunicate directly with you regarding your needs. However, even after the most rigorous assessment and testing, there is no better way to be absolutely sure than to have the boots on your feet for an extended period of time. We therefore offer our Home Trial Period which gives you the opportunity to wear the boots around your house to give you an indication of how they feel before you venture outside. We recommend that during the Home Trial Period that you wear the boots for as long as possible and at different times of the day, wear them up and down stairs, when moving around and when resting, you can even sleep in them if you want. In addition to this, the supplied insoles are low volume efforts which leave a lot to be desired; if you value your feet I suggest investing in some ‘orthotic’ insoles – they quite literally transformed my hikes. The laces are particular thin, perfect for the modern looks, not so when you’re attempting to adjust them in the freezing mid-winter weather.

A lightweight mountaineering boot, made with high quality, sustainably produced materials and designed for classic mountain tours and much more. A new last and sole design developed by Vibram and Mammut offers an optimised fit with less weight and more grip, while a breathable Gore-Tex® membrane keeps your feet dry and comfortable. The main fabric is made from DryTechnology Pro 2.5 which has a HH of 20,000 mm. We can certainly vouch for its resistance against heavy downpours and increased wind-speed. Many hours spent in tough conditions high on the Monadhliath Munros are testament to this. The Gore-Tex acts as expected keeping your feet dry and fatigue free, a nod to the membrane itself and Mammut’s efforts to incorporate it into their product; something bigger names have failed to do time and time again. Another area which could be frustrating was the main YKK Vislon 2-way front zipper. Although the pull is large and can be used wearing gloves it’s a pain to initially function. Causing issues especially when a sudden shower is approaching and you’re frantically trying to join the zipper.Despite their modern looks and streamlined design, the boots are pretty hard wearing. I’m obsessive in gear-care, so they do get cleaned and re-waxed/treated after each outing, which may not be as representative as your typical user, but there are few signs of wear after around 9 months of hard use. Now first impressions were good. Very Good. I have feet that run a little wide, to understate, but the boots fitted perfectly from the first go. The finish on the leather is good and bright, with textured embossing up the sides. If you can see this amount of space then you are pretty much on the way to making sure that your boots are the correct size. This space between your toes and the end of the footbed ensures that you will not stub your toes on the inside of the boot when you descend. This can be excruciatingly painful. If you can’t see this amount of space then it’s a good bet that the boots will be too small.