Trail and Scramble Shoes

Salewa Alp Trainer 2 GTX Hiking Boot | Review

A supportive and protective lightweight women’s hiking boot inspired by – and built for – rugged mountainous terrain

Why We Chose the Salewa Alp Trainer 2 GTXs: robust, supportive, protective

What is it about the products that hail from the Dolomites? The uniquely spectacular Italian range has not only spawned arguably the world’s greatest living mountaineer in Reinhold Messner but also three of the most highly regarded outdoor brands: Scarpa, La Sportiva and Salewa. Salewa’s whole philosophy is deeply rooted by the limestone citadels of its home, inspiring clothing and equipment to deal with the most rugged, mountainous terrain.

Their Alp Trainer 2s certainly belong in that bracket. Protective, waterproof and hewn with the mountains in mind, this is a modern take on the classic walking shoe. It marries robust design with lightweight features to meet the needs of the hikers of today.

Who are the Salewa Alp Trainer 2s For?

As its name suggests, this is a boot designed for hiking rugged alpine terrain and it comes armed with all the features you’d expect, such as a grippy and robust Vibram outsole and waterproofing courtesy of a Gore-tex liner. At 964g per pair, they’re lighter than much of the competition, making them a solid choice for adventurous peak baggers, scramblers, hut-to-hut hikers and long-distance trekkers. They’re not crampon compatible, so are only suitable for use below the snow line.

Protection

Protection is paramount when it comes to alpine terrain. The Alp Trainer 2 is just at home in the Scafells, Snowdonia and Skye as it is in Switzerland; its lightweight qualities combined with its ample protection make it an ideal scrambling boot. The Alps Trainer 2 is a low mid-cut, which provides solid ankle protection without being too restrictive, which is important for technical long-distance missions – think something along the lines of an Alta Via, a GR20 or a Cape Wrath. Its hardwearing upper creates a shield against abrasion, while its Gore-tex lining repels water effectively too. A front rubber rand guards your toes against rock and scree.

Performance

The Alp Trainer 2 is designed for a supportive and precise fit, exemplified by a women’s specific last that’s shaped for female feet. Many boots can feel restrictive in the ankle area, particularly during long descents. The Alp Trainer 2 makes use of a soft collar, which gives your ankle room to move and provides comfort. The instep area is linked with the sole and heel to give flexibility and stability on the kind of uneven terrain so frequently trod in the mountains.

When it comes to scrambling territory, well-thought-out lacing enables precise adjustment, allowing for a tighter fit when required. Regardless of the ground underfoot, the Vibram sole provides performance, thanks to three distinct zones: climbing, traction and braking. Should the heavens open – a common occurrence in our upland regions – the outsole performs well when faced with slick rock and mud.

Tester’s Verdict

This ticks just about every box for me. It’s light but protective and supportive, it’s grippy over a variety of terrain and it’s comfortable over long distances too. What I really like is that the sole unit has just the right balance between flexibility and stiffness that you want when you’re taking on hikes that involve varied trails with big mileage. Whether it’s a morning of scrambling or a whole day on a trail, the Alp Trainer just seems right at home in whatever situation.