Arc’teryx Acrux2 FL GTX – £225 / 497g (per shoe 42)

We’ve been using the non-Gore-Tex version of the shoe for several months now and we really like it as a close-fitting but comfortable all-rounder that’s happy to walk all day but has enough underfoot stiffness and grip to romp up easy rocky stuff. That cushioned, stretchy inner really does seem to work.

The ride is firm rather than super cushioned, but the pay off is stability on uneven ground and precision on scrambles helped by grippy rubber. We found we had to use the second of the two top lace holes to stop our heel from lifting, but once we’d one that, the shoe was fine.

The top-end Gore-Tex version also has a removable liner which you can use as a hut slipper, but even the base version is deceptively water resistant thanks to the PU-coated fabric of the outer shoe. It dries fast too and in winter you can fit an optional warmer liner.

Yes it’s relatively expensive, but as you’d expect from Arc’teryx, it’s also rather good. Overall it’s more scrambly than walky – there’s a more hiking-orientated mid, the Bora also – but will still tackle both.

Pros

Innovative design, good grip, stiff and stable underfoot, but still walkable.

Cons

Relatively expensive. Slightly weighty for a shoe.

More Information

Brand website: arcteryx.com

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Haglöfs Rocker – £100 / 410g (per shoe 43)

Take three on scrambling shoes for Haglöfs and the most all-round useable so far from the brand. They cushioned and decently comfortable for walk-ins and still decent on the rock we’ve tried so far and we like being able to tweak the lacing for one or the other.

We wouldn’t buy them for pure hiking use, but if you’re planning on mixing it up and mainly in dry conditions – we’re talking lug depth rather than sole compound here – they’re a good option. Also available in more interesting, brighter colours too and as a Gore-Tex lined version.

Pros

Decent heel cushioning, precise forefoot fit and lacing, good breathability from uppers.

Cons

Shallow tread may struggle on softer ground.

More Information

Brand website: haglofs.com

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Meindl X-SO 30 GTX – £145 / 402g (per shoe 43)

We’re still waiting for weather hot enough to work out just how well the new Gore-Tex Surround technology works, but in a nutshell, it uses underfoot membrane and an air-permeable spacer to increase breathable area by around 30% while still remaining fully waterproof.

You wouldn’t know that from the outside as the Meindl’s styling is relatively conventional compared to some brand’s take on the technology, which we quite like. Other than the Surround, it’s a comfortable, nicely made outdoor hiking trainer with good underfoot cushioning and a reassuring stable feel.

Pros

Stable, comfortable, reasonably light and with promised added breathability and waterproofing.

Cons

Jury still out on Surround, not aftermarket footbed or orthotic friendly thanks to the technology.

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Brand website: meindl.co.uk

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Millet Switch Low GTX – £124 / 394g (per shoe 43)

Millet’s alpine background comes out in this fast hiker. It’s roomy solid and comfortable with lots of underfoot cushioning and protection, though it’s not soft and bouncy in feel out of the box. On hardback, smooth-surfaced paths it feels comfortable and dependable, but the thick heel unit means you’re further off the ground than with most of the other shoes here and that makes it feel a little less confident on more uneven terrain. Great for hammering down endless alpine descents though and comfortable and solid all round.

Pros

PLenty of underfoot protection and solid all-round comfort.

Cons

Fat sole is less confidence inspiring on rougher terrain. One for an alpine hiking holiday maybe?

More Information

Brand website: millet.fr

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Salewa Speed Ascent Gore-Tex – £125 / 389g (per shoe 43)

Once you get beyond the eccentric appearance, the Speed Ascent turns out to be a really nice shoe for moving fast on firmer paths. The feel is slightly disconcerting at first, but the curve on the sole really does feel like it rocks your forward and after an hour or so, the slightly odd feel from that aggressively upturned sole is forgotten. It’s more the absence of toe-off that you notice initially.

Where they really work is on sustained, steep climbs where the toe is already in contact with the ground as you move up. They’re without a doubt oddly specialised shoes, but we do really like that distinctive rolling push-off feel.

Pros

Lovely fluid walking action if you move fast, solid grip on hardback, glove like fit from quick lace system, decently stable.

Cons

Novel looks and feel take some getting used to, work best on steeps and hardback.

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Brand website: salewa.co.uk

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Scarpa Zen Pro – £130 / 498g (per shoe 43)

More of a Grand Tourer than a minimalist sportster of a shoe, you sort of relax into the Zen Pro like a well worn sofa. Some of that is down to the generous fit, some the internal padding and some again due to the adoption of the excellent Scarpa Sock Fit technology where the tongue wraps sensuously around your foot – or something like that.

In any case, they’re very comfortable and ideal if you’ve just slipped off a pair of tight rock boots we reckon. The Zen Pro is also reassuringly solid with plenty of underfoot protection for staggering across rubbly terrain. The soft Vibram rubber helps here too.

What the Zen Pro isn’t, is the most precise and climbiest of approach shoes, though a snugger fit might have helped with that aspect of things, but padding panther-like up easy slabs to the base of a climb or just meandering along a rocky path, it’s in its element.

It also looks rather cool making it a happy pub-goer and general pares-outdoor choice as well.

Pros

Luxuriously comfortable, roomy fit, stable and solid underfoot, grippy rubber outsole.

Cons

A little clumpy on actual rock despite the grip from the sole.

More Information

Brand website: scarpa.co.uk

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