The kings of all outdoors footwear, mountaineering boots are designed to withstand any onslaught from the elements, whether evading minus temperatures or keeping feet dry in the snow.
There are a few different types of mountain boot – you have single boots, double boots and full-on gaiter boots. Each with differing key features and used for various mountain-specific activities, like ice climbing, mountain walking and via ferrata.
And although mountain boots aren’t quite the same as standard walking boots, there are similar features you look for in both, which our walking boots buyer’s guide has more about.
But for a little more help on mountaineering boots specifically, here’s a quick look at six of the most talked about on the market from lightweight models to full-on three-layer pairs.
Arc’teryx Acrux AR Mountaineering Boot
In the Acrux AR, Arc’teryx has engineered a mountain walking boot that defines ‘revolutionary’ – it is a double boot that is not clunky, heavy, non-breathable or horribly bulky.
It really is unique in the mountaineering gear world and, like the first smartphone or leather football, it is genuinely a game changer.
We won’t go into too much detail – you’ll find more about the boot in our Acrux AR review – but we will say that the three-layer construction made up of a Gore-Tex laminated gaiter, a PE foam insulated shell boot and a stretchy inner boot is pretty special.
What does this mean? Essentially, Arc’teryx has made a boot with all the traditional double boot features, but has the same weight and rigor as a single mountaineering boot.
It really is about as good as you get if you’re a serious mountaineer looking for a neat, warm companion for your feet.
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