Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

“Elica. I hadn’t quite expected how different this would feel to a normal sole unit. To be honest, I thought it was just a bit of a marketing ploy. But the first time I tried these boots on, I really was struck by how they felt. The clever way the system all works together does tangibly promote more of a rolling motion when you step. It feels slightly unnatural at first, but I’ve now come to suspect that perhaps all the other boots I’ve become used to are the ones that have untuned biomechanics.

“My main testing of these was done in Snowdonia, wearing them over the mix of boggy, muddy and rocky terrain encountered on and around Cnicht and Moel Siabod, and as a top line verdict, I’d say they were excellent.

“One thing that I particularly liked about them was that the sole has just the right balance between flex and stiffness that I look for in a three-season walking boot. You get the right amount of protection from protruding rocks and roots, but the sole is still flexible enough to prevent your feet from feeling uncomfortable by the end of a day with big mileage.

“Speaking of comfort, I also really like the way the walls of these boots wrap around your feet. That’s not just thanks to that stretchy material on the tongue but the smooth lacing system as well.

“For me, the fit was perfect. I had these in my usual size, which is a size 10 and the fit was spot on. I didn’t feel any niggles and was happy to wear these all day long. The toe box is by no means cavernous but I did feel that my toes had a nice bit of space to relax.

“As for grip, the deep lugs and the slight heel brake certainly did the job on muddy slopes and I found the compound was excellent on dry rock and reliable enough on some wet rock – though, like many shoes, it does have its limitations on hard surfaces that are particularly slimy.