We’ve teamed up with Italian brand AKU this month to give you a chance at winning their latest offering for 2026 – the Adapta Light GTX hiking boots. Built for fast and light mountain missions – from what we’ve seen so far, there’s a lot to like here.
The AKU Adapta Light GTX boots are designed for hikers who want lightweight performance without sacrificing the protection or support you’d get from a burlier boot – something like the AKU Superalp Nubuck GTX boots, for example.
Coming in at roughly 530g per boot, they’re the lightest model in the Adapta range, and feature a combination of suede leather and ripstop nylon in the upper to keep the boots both durable and agile out on the trail.
The materials are placed across the upper very intentionally – suede on the wear points for durability and protection, ripstop nylon across the main panels to reduce weight without reducing that structured feel. For added breathability, there’s also Air8000 mesh in the ventilation zones where the foot generates the most heat.
Underfoot, the lasting board is 4mm of nylon – thinner than the boards in the wider Adapta range, allowing the sole to flex naturally through each stride rather than working against it. The dual-density PU midsole and Vibram outsole are built by direct injection at AKU’s Montebelluna factory: no adhesives, no glue layers, no delamination point. This further reduces weight across the shoe and also improves the durability overall as there are less opportunities for adhesives and glues to fail or wear away over time.
AKU recommend these boots for day hiking, weekend walking, short-distance backpacking, and fast-paced adventures across moderate terrain. Think: the Lake District, Snowdonia, Bannau Brycheiniog, or the Cairngorm plateau. Places where agility and comfort are more important than stiffness and bombproof protection.
They also recommend the Adapta Light GTX for hikers stepping up from trail shoes or lightweight hikers to a mid cut walking boot for the first time: “the Elica last and flexible 4mm board make the transition to ankle support easier than stiffer construction.”
