First reviewed for Outdoors Magic in 2019 – the same year the boots were released – we’ve long been fans of these shoes. So much so, in fact, that they’ve retained their ‘best budget walking boot’ spot in our round-up of the best hiking boots for over five years now.
As for me, well I first bought these boots in 2021 and they’ve had a special place on my kit list ever since. I’ve always been a die-hard burly boot hiker – clodhoppers my Mum calls them – and only reluctantly opt for lightweight shoes. These, however, are the only lightweight hiking boots that have come close to converting me.
The Trail Choice
Where To Buy
Haglöfs Skuta Proof Mid
Our tester’s verdict: “If you’re looking for a boot that balances weight, protectiveness and value for money really well – this is the shoe I’d go for, especially in the muckier seasons.”
From the Derryveagh and the Dartry Mountains in Ireland, to Yr Wyddfa and the Black Mountain in Wales – these boots have seen me through some of my favourite hikes here in the UK. Just this month I used them with some microspikes for a spot of winter walking in the Cairngorms.
Further afield, I used the Skuta Proofs as my main choice of footwear for 3 months of tree planting in British Columbia, Canada. While a great choice for the bogs and slashy land I found myself in in the backcountry, I learnt the hard way that very few boots actually make it to the end of the planting season. There’s only so much a hiking shoe can handle being repeatedly stamped onto a metal shovel. RIP to my first pair of Skutas – we had a good run.
Out and about in Donegal, Ireland.
Up Grindslow Knoll in the Peak District.
Why I Like Them
Even though I destroyed my first pair of Skutas while tree planting, the first boots I ended up buying when I returned home were – yep, you guessed it – the Skutas. Why? I simply missed the lightweight yet rugged feel of them when out on the trail. Few boots, in my experience, have nailed that balance so well.
They feel somewhere between a burly boot and a lightweight synthetic boot, but with more durability than synthetic shoes. That’ll be due to the suede leather used in the design, along with the extra reinforcements at the toe and the heel. If looked after properly – watch this video for more info on boot care – they should last a fair amount of time. Granted, they won’t last as long as boots like the Aku Nubuck Superalps that use full grain leather, but for a lightweight style of boot? I’m happy to make that compromise.
The tree planting chronicles.
The eco-friendly design is another factor that draws me to these boots. Along with ensuring materials like the leather are audited by the Leather Working Group (these folks work to create a more sustainable and transparent supply chain in the leather industry), the Skuta boots have also been made without using PFCs, the membrane is bluesign approved, and there’s recycled materials throughout the lining. Not bad, not bad at all.
The Skutas (and my grubby hands) in use while tree planting in British Columbia, Canada.
And finally, I’ve got to shout out the comfy sole unit. It’s got a generously cushioned and fairly flexible midsole which features both EVA foam and a shock absorbing gel. The gel technology is specifically targeted in the rearfoot which, in my experience, makes a real difference when ascending and descending mountains. This combined with the close fit ensures that your heel stays securely in one place – I’ve rarely felt any lateral movement, something I usually have problems with in other shoes.
More broadly, I’ve found that this midsole combination makes the Skutas ideal for both short hikes and across long distances when you’re carrying a heavy load. I frequently use these shoes when I’m out with all my photography kit in the mountains (most definitely not an ultralight experience) and I’ve found them pretty effective at supporting the load and fighting foot fatigue.
What They’re Best Suited To
From my experience, the Haglöfs Skuta Proof boots are best suited to day hiking, multi-day backpacking and everyday walking – nothing too technical. They’re too warm for hotter climates and fast hiking, but for most walking days here in the UK bar heatwaves, I’ve found them ideal.
Out and about in the Wye Valley. Credit: Oscar J Ryan Photography
Taking them tree planting was definitely testing their limits, but that’s not what these boots are built for. They’re built specifically with hiking and trekking in mind and for that purpose, I’ve found them to be reliable and versatile across an impressive variety of terrains.
Overall Verdict
At under £120 (or lower!), what I’ve managed to get out of these boots has more than paid itself off. For me anyway, they strike an ideal balance between weight, protectiveness, and value for money. And all in a very aesthetically package too.
I’m by no means saying this boot is perfect – it’s still not as durable as a full grain leather hiker, and it‘s not ideal for warmer weather – but for what it is – a great all-rounder of a hiking boot with more protectiveness than your average, lightweight hiker – it’s a very reasonable trade-off in my book. For now at least, I’ve found my happy medium of a boot, something this cynical burly boot wearer didn’t think was possible.
Pros: lightweight and supportive, great value, last longer than most lightweight hikers Cons: slightly narrow in the toebox, runs warm
