Montbell Alpine Cruiser 800 | Review

OM editor Will tests a heavyweight trekking boot built for mileage over rough terrain

The Montbell Alpine Cruiser 800 sits in that interesting corner of the boot world where traditional leather craftsmanship meets modern alpine trekking demands. It’s not pretending to be a lightweight fast-and-loose hiker. Nor is it a full-blown winter mountaineering boot. Instead, it positions itself as a burly, supportive trekking boot; the sort of thing you’d lace up for UK winters, Scandinavian trails or long, rugged multi-day missions where you’re carrying real weight.

Here’s how I got on with them across Welsh mountains, boggy uplands, winter trails and steep descents.

How I Tested Them

I wore the Alpine Cruiser 800 across several weeks of mixed British conditions. Most of the mileage came from repeated big days in North and Mid Wales while I was checking routes for my Peak Bagging Wales guidebook. That meant everything from grassy ridgelines to peat bog, from greasy rocky steps to long descents on soaked ground.

All the pictures here show the Montbell Alpine Cruiser being tested by OM editor Will. Photos: Dave Macfarlane

I also tested them on rougher, steeper, more uneven terrain in the Moelwynion, and took them through repeated days of proper Welsh sideways rain. Temps ranged from cool to properly cold, with plenty of water underfoot. These boots saw a lot of punishment – and a lot of moisture.

Performance

The Alpine Cruiser 800 sits at the stiffer, more protective end of the trekking boot spectrum. Underfoot, that PU midsole provides a platform that feels incredibly stable beneath heavy loads. You don’t get the bounce of EVA here, but you do get long-term resilience and a kind of steady, planted feel.

There’s just enough forefoot flex to keep strides natural over distance, but it’s unquestionably a supportive boot first and foremost. On rocky ground, the stiffness pays off: you can roll right over roots, boulders and awkward angles without feeling anything sharp or jarring.

They aren’t insulated mountaineering boots, but paired with a good pair of hiking socks, they’re ideal for UK winter hillwalking. Warm enough, dry enough, supportive enough.

Pros: Superb support with loads on, excellent stability, great leather construction, very confidence-inspiring underfoot
Cons: Heavy, slow to dry, a touch narrow for wide feet.

Buy the Montbell Alpine Cruiser 800: £340 Montbell.com

Traction

Montbell’s Trail Gripper outsole was new to me, but I found it impressive. It handled everything from slick mud to dry rhyolite rock with confidence. The lugs shed mud well, and the heel brake bites reliably on steep, sloppy descents. On wet rock they behave like most boots in this class – capable but not 100% reliable. Durability is excellent so far: after repeated abuse, the outsole still looks barely worn.

These are C1-compatible only. Strap-on crampons or spikes will fit, but the boot is too flexible – and lacks welts – for C2 or C3 compatibility. They’re perfect for winter hillwalking but not for proper winter climbing or snowier alpine routes.

Fit

Fit is always subjective, but here’s how they worked for me:

True to size: My usual UK 10 was spot on. Definitely true to size.
Toe box: Slightly on the narrow side. Not restrictive for me, but wide-footed walkers may feel hemmed in.
Heel hold: Comfortable with just a touch of lift – just the right amount.
Out of the box comfort: Good for such a stiff boot. No break-in needed in my case.

The high ankle cuff brings proper security without digging in, and the sculpting of the leather upper feels very natural once the boot warms to your foot. Breathability is typical Gore-Tex: fine in cool and cold conditions, but clammy in heat.

Waterproofing

The Gore-tex membrane performed exactly as expected. The boots remained waterproof in heavy rain and through saturated ground. However, there is a caveat: These boots dry slowly. After soaking them in Welsh weather, even stuffed with newspaper and placed by a radiator, they took a long time to fully dry out. That’s simply the trade-off with thick leather and a high, protective build.

Build Quality & Durability

This is where the Alpine Cruiser 800 really shines.

A single piece of leather makes up most of the upper. That’s rare these days and excellent for longevity.
The big toe bumper and heel guard give serious protection.
The stitching is minimal, reducing failure points.
The PU midsole will outlast most EVA-based trekking boots.

Everything feels purposeful and robust and I’ve got confidence these will last a good chunk of time. I’m not sure if they’re resoleable – I’ll check with the brand on that and come back here with an update.

Who Will Like the Alpine Cruiser 800

This boot is ideal for:

Backpackers carrying heavy loads who need maximum support
UK winter hillwalkers who want warmth, stability and leather durability
Scandinavian or alpine trekkers expecting rough, mixed terrain
Anyone who values longevity and serious construction over lightness
Walkers who prefer a traditional feel with modern refinements

In intention, they sit somewhere near boots like the Aku Superalp GTX, Scarpa Ladakh or Meindl Bhutan – durable, capable, serious leather trekkers.

Who Should Not Buy It

Probably not for:

Ultralight hikers – these are decidedly not that.
Hot weather trekkers – too warm, too little ventilation, too slow to dry.
Those needing C2/C3 crampon compatibility for proper winter mountaineering.
Walkers with very wide feet unless they try before buying.

Overall Verdict

The Montbell Alpine Cruiser 800 is a proper workhorse: a stable, supportive, nicely made leather alpine trekking boot that performs best under load and on rugged UK winter terrain. It’s not trying to be light or fast. It’s trying to be reliable, and it succeeds there.

If you want a boot to take on serious hill days, cold-weather treks, or long routes with a very heavy pack, this is a good boot to reach for.

Price: £340
Weight: 626g
Best for: Alpine treks, UK winter hills

Buy the Montbell Alpine Cruiser 800: £340 Montbell.com