Walking Boots

Brandecosse Capriolo Walking Boots | Review

A lightweight, waterproof and breathable walking boot that marries premium Italian style and materials with Scottish robustness

Why We Chose the Brandecosse Capriolo walking boots: waterproof, timeless looks, precise fit

Brandecosse are a Scottish brand who work in tandem with Italian manufacturers Calzaturificio Diemme to create premium outdoor footwear for country walking, hiking and hunting. Based in the foothills of the Dolomites, Calzaturificio Diemme hale from a region rich in boot making heritage, while Brandecosse have been involved in waterproof footwear manufacture for the best part of forty years, garnering a strong technical expertise in the trade.

Their stylish Capriolo walking boots feature a fully waterproof and breathable suede upper, with a robust Vibram outsole and traditional good looks. Weighing in at 980g per pair, they’re relatively lightweight for a premium shoe and offer comfort and protection on the trails.

Who are the Brandecosse Capriolo Walking Boots For?

Brandecosse champion the Capriolo as the ultimate summer walking boot, which may do a disservice to their range of potential uses. Instead, naming them as a warm season hiking boot would perhaps do them more justice, as their features make them more than adequate for technical trails in spring and autumn too. This is a piece of footwear that provides comfort and support during mountain hikes, with fabrics that regulate your temperature regardless of whether you’re basking in sunshine or trudging through puddles.

The Capriolo features an approach shoe style lacing system, which points towards their potential application for the occasional rock scramble too, while the flat rubber zone at the front of the outsole provides grip on slabs and edges. They also look great in the pub, which is always a bonus.

Materials

The Capriolo’s upper is hewn from soft but strong Italian suede, a highly breathable material that gives these boots their classic appearance. This, enhanced with a waterproof lining, equates to a shoe that can regulate your temperature while simultaneously keeping you dry, which makes for an ideal piece of footwear for the warmer months.

Photos from our test trip with the Capriolo in the Highlands of Scotland.

“The memory foam footbed enhances what is already a comfortable ride.”

For comfort and confidence on technical ground, the outsole and midsole work together, ensuring a high level of performance. The leather midsole absorbs impact, with the memory foam footbed enhancing what is already a comfortable ride. The Vibram outsole provides traction and a decent amount of trail feel, with a flatter section of grippy rubber towards the front giving you a climbing shoe style grip on small edges.

Features

Toe protection is vital in any hiking shoe and allows you to be aggressive on rugged terrain. The Capriolo features a tough rubber toecap to achieve the level of shielding required for summer missions in the backcountry. The comprehensive lacing system goes all the way from the ankle to the toe, giving you a customisable fit depending on the shape of your foot. As mentioned, this is reminiscent of approach shoes, so you have the option of tightening everything up nicely for precise scrambling moves when you hit the rock.