OMPARATIVE REVIEW - HIKING BOOTS COMPARATIVE REVIEW
SALOMON
MERRELL
Salomon footwear has found itself on the feet of numerous high-profile military units recently, from their low-profile, high-speed XA Pro approach/ running shoes to the chunkier Quest 4D boots, both in us by US Special Forces. They are trusted thanks to a heritage in the outdoor sports market, meaning the engineers behind the shoes themselves have great experience in making fast, light, grippy, supportive and comfortable models, no matter what the use. We’ve tested the Salomon Discovery GTX Boot over the last few months, some of the wettest the UK has been afflicted with in living memory, which has given us a solid insight into how they perform. Although the Discoverys are built with comfort and stability in mind, they are no lounge slippers. Featuring Salomon’s “Contagrip” non-marking sole, they are grippy on anything from slick concrete to thick mud and the moulded EVA midsole and high-laced design they are supportive and inspire confidence, even with my rather shaky, beaten up ankles! Lacing options are great thanks to the upper few being hooks allowing you to route and weave the laces as you see fit to avoid hot-spots or pinching as your ankle bends. This also makes the boots rather easier to put on and remove but the downside is that they can be prone to bashing, scraping or breaking off on rough terrain. Elsewhere the upper of the boot is made from rugged suede and the heel and toe are reinforced with rubber protective cups, making for a boot that’s great for picking your way along rough or rubble strewn ground. Thanks to an “Orpholite” EVA midsole and heel cushioning, the boot is protective from every angle against this kind of terrain. A waterproof Goretex liner keeps your feet dry and a gusseted tongue prevents even ankle-deep water from permeating for a short period of time. We waded through several deep puddles and no real quantity of water penetrated the outer of the boot. Sloppy, gloopy mud was just the same. Thanks to its lightweight construction and comfortable build, the Discovery is at home climbing and descending on all kinds of terrain, even doing well on tarmac and interiors without feeling too “clumpy” as boots often can. The sole is firm enough and aggressive enough to provide traction on most surfaces but also sheds mud quickly. After a few full days wear, including an entire weekend in one go, the boots is still fresh and dry thanks to an abrasion resistant, quick drying liner. Our only real qualm is the slightly purple hue these boots are coloured in, although several different drab grey green tones are available, which may suit your needs better. Overall, these are a solid, dependable boot that is ideal for all-year use and may only find itself out of its depth in extreme weather.
I remember reading somewhere that fitness can be simple, the most effective work out doesn’t need the use of a ton of fancy fitness machines, in fact running or in my case walking is an excellent way to stay in shape. If you intend to do some serious walking you’re going to need to get hold of a decent pair of hiking boots, if you want to you can pound the tarmac in a pair of sports shoes, but you will have to ask yourself are they going to stand up to the job? They may be fine walking to your local, but cross country? That’s a whole new question and an entirely different type of foot wear As with all boots and shoes you’re going to be attracted first of all by their appearance and then may be cost? But with a specialist/ performance pair of boots there are a whole heap of other factors and things you’re going to have to consider. Comfort ranks highly when choosing any kind of foot wear, but for me ankle support and durability were on the top of my list, not to mention waterproofing. Now you could argue that there are a number of hiking boots that offer those exact qualities and you would be right. For me it was arguably cost over appearance, comfort, ankle support, durability and stability on uneven and firm ground, because let’s face it a hiking boot that looks this good might find their way onto my feet on a trip to the pub and that the beauty of many of today’s modern hiking boots not only do they offer foot and ankle protection across country, but they equally look right at home walking down the high street. Merrell Tucson Mids have been designed with a durable outsole that can take on any terrain, featuring deep lugs that offer great traction along with a padded ankle collar and lace up front for a secure and comfortable fit. These Merrell walking boots also come with a waterproof upper with breathable mesh panels for cooling protection from the elements. The Tuscan Mids oozed comfort for the first fitting, with no rubbing or chafing after a week of moderate walking, the breathable mesh panels kept my feet well ventilated, whilst the boots waterproof upper kept my feet bone dry .The Tuscan mids also come with what Merrell call “M-Select GRIP Technology”, which essentially gives the wearer more traction, by the sole of the boot releasing dirt and debris that would normally build up on muddy ground.
DISCOVERY GTX
PRICE: £140.00 FROM: WWW.SALOMON.COM
TUCSON GTX MIDS
PRICE: £95.00 FROM: WWW.MERRELL.COM
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20/11/2015 18:00