Walking Boots

Helly Hansen Ascender Mid HT Boots | Review

Our full low -down on Helly Hansen’s Ascender Mid HT, a lightweight boot that provides good levels of support and protection without feeling clunky or constraining.

I’ve hiked a lot of miles in these Helly Hansen boots now, wearing them while surveying routes in Eryri National Park for a new guidebook I’m working on, and they’ve performed well. They feel light but supportive, the grip works well on a range of surfaces, and they’ve blocked out moisture dependably during my tests.

The Top Line

From my experience using these, they make for a versatile pair of boots for three-season hiking and backpacking and I like that they’re made from a high percentage of recycled content.

They’re quite light and flexible so they’re very comfortable to wear. This makes them perhaps more suited to trail hiking than bouldery backcountry. Also, those looking for something they can wear while hiking with a heavily loaded hiking backpack might want to look for a boot with a stiffer and more supportive ankle.

Buy The Helly Hansen Ascender Mid HT Boots: £180 at Hellyhansen.com

OM editor Will using the Helly Hansen Ascender Mid HT boots in Eryri. Photos: Dave MacFarlane.

How I Tested The Helly Hansen Ascender Mid HT Boots

I first wore these right out of the box for a hike in the Moelwynion mountains of Snowdonia. It’s always a good idea to gradually break in boots but I didn’t have any issues just going full throttle with them on the first use, wearing them over the course of about 13 kilometres of hiking over terrain that was sometimes very rocky and at other times very boggy – a classic day out in North Wales!

Since that first hike, I’ve worn them on other routes in North Wales and also on daily dog walks on the slippery chalk paths of the Wiltshire Downs.

Buy The Helly Hansen Ascender Mid HT Boots: £180 at Hellyhansen.com

Key Features

Recycled Content: Helly Hansen say that 70% of the upper is made from recycled materials while it’s 30% for the sole unit.

Helly Tech Waterproofing: The Ascender Mid HT features the brand’s proprietary Helly Tech membrane. This is waterproof but it’s also designed to allow moisture vapour to escape from the inside of the boot.

Grip: I’ve found that the 5mm lugs and slight heel brake make these grippy enough to provide a reliable footing on steep, muddy descents. The HH Max Grip compound provides some grip on wet rock but, like most shoes, they struggle on very slimy stuff. It excels on dry rock though.

The Mid Sole: There’s a nice bit of cushioning underneath the heel and this takes the sting out of hard trails well. There’s a lot of flex, which makes these very comfortable for walking in over big distances, but there’s still enough protection underfoot to shield you from pointy rocks and roots.

The Lacing system: While it took a little getting used to at first, I now really like the lacing system this uses. The top eyelets act as clamps and if you pull directly up, the lacing will lock into place. Pull outwards though and the lacing tightens nicely. This means you can pull in the lacing around the foot, lock it in, relax, and then refine the fit around the ankle – basically two-stage lacing.

Durability

There’s lots of TPU protection around the upper, particularly at the toe. This not only protects your feet but it should also help to lengthen the Ascender’s lifespan. So far from me, I’ve not seen any wear and tear with these. I’ll come back to add an update with a longer term verdict there.

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Conclusion

Lightweight and very comfortable, these boots make great light hikers and should perform well for most three-season trail walking in the UK. I tested a size 10 – my usual – and found the fit spot on, with a standard shape that should suit most average-width feet.