Mammut Ayako High GTX Boot | Performance

Swiss brand Mammut is all about alpine use, so it’s no surprise that the Ayako High GTX was designed originally as a specialist via ferrata boot with the support and underfoot stiffness you need for pottering about on a mix of iron rungs and more conventional rock.

The goods news is that this translates nicely into a lightweight, scrambling-friendly mountain walking boot that’s got enough flex to roll along nicely, but enough underfoot stiffness to cope with standing on medium-sized scramble hold and give stability on uneven terrain.

The boot’s decently light too, but has a high ankle cuff, which you’ll either get on with or not. Mammut’s Memo Foam (memory foam) padding is comfortable enough, but found the boot most comfortable for walking at least with the top lace-hook omitted. If you prefer lower-cut boots or shoes, check out the sawn-off Ayako Low as an alternative.

As you’d expect with a scramble-type boot, there’s ample toe and heel protection and a close fit helped by down-to-toe rock boot-type lacing and the Base Fit technology which links the third lace-hook and the sole unit to help anchor the heel.

Underfoot, the proven Vibram Mulaz sole does a predictably reliable and grippy job and while the EVA padding isn’t exactly sumptuous, there’s enough to take the sting out of walk-ins on harder surfaces. The pay-off for its weight-saving properties though, may be reduced long-term durability compared to PU alternatives.

What is neat, if you look carefully, is that the EVA tapers away to a thin layer at the toe, which helps give the boot dependable grip on smaller edge holds without rolling off as the EVA folds.