| Salomon Revo SCS GTX First Look |
| Price: £100.00 |
| Weight: 1308 grammes (pair size 43) |
| Features Textile uppers using stitchless construction, sealmess technology and feather construction, Gore-Tex waterproof liner, autofit foam with 3D fit padding, mud guard rand, protective TPU toe-cap, Contragrip outsole, Salomon Cushioning System,. |
| Pros Funky looks, funky construction, no leather usedin boot. Cons |
The Concept In the days before 2/3/4-season boots and special
footwear designed specifically for different path types, they just
made boots for walking and, for all its high-tech construction and
funky styling, the Revo SCS is really just that, a lightish allround
walking boot for use below the snowline.
The interesting bit, for gearheads anyway, is that like the
Salomon Softshell Shoe – try saying that fast – it uses seamless,
welded technology first seen in technical shell clothing to produce a
very distinctive-looking boot.
Features Salomon has gone a bit bonkers on the technical front
this season. The buzz words here are ‘seamless welded
construction’. That means the boot is largely ultrasonically welded together
rather than stitched, though there are still stitched seams in
there. It’s all very slick and distinctive looking. Check out, for
example, the way the lace anchoring points are welded onto the fabric
upper.
distinctive 3D fit padding in the tongue section to improve fit –
‘precise foam placement and stitchless construction increase comfort’
says Salomon. Also inside the boot is what Salomon calls ‘Autofit
Foam’, which is a memory-type foam places around the ankle which
adapts to the shape of your foot but returns to its original shape
once you take off the boot. Press your finger into it and you can
watch the foam slowly rebound afterwards like a memory foam
mattress.
In Action The Revo feels nice and light in your hands and
gives an immediate, comfortable fit thanks largely to the generous
padding in the tongue and ankle sections. Although it is a
lightweight boot with a fair degree of forefoot flex – we’re talking
classic low-level, two-season levels of bend here – the highish
padded ankle and distinct outward flare of the heel unit mean that
the boot still feels supportive and protective.
One thing we did notice is that the webbing lace loops mean that
the lacing system isn’t particularly slick and we had to fiddle a bit
to get adequate tension on the roomy front section of the boot. So
far we’ve used the boot mainly for wandering around the Peak District
and it’s coped well with a mix of gritstone rock and softer ground
offering decent grip, support and cushioning.
mountain terrain, but we found it very comfortable. That ‘Autofit
Foam’ stuff really does seem to work and gave a very secure feel
around the ankle which, in combination with the flared heel unit adds
up to a longitudinally flexible lightweight boot which still feels
secure and supportive.
The Gore-Tex liner makes for happy puddle wading and takes the
damp out of serial sludgery and the chunky Contragrip sole unit coped
happily with everything we threw at it.
Finally, there’s the look which you’ll either love or hate; it’s
very techy and european with Salomon’s signature orange much in
evidence. We liked the neatness of the welded / seamless construction
a lot, but hey, aesthetics are subjective, so make your own judgement
on the fashion front.
| Initial Verdict |
Funky and comfy the Revo maybe looks a little more mountainous
than it actually is, but we liked the combination of lightness,
support and flexibility for low level and general, undemanding hill
walking. We’d use it higher up as well, but if you prefer a stiffer
boot in mountain terrain, then you should look elsewhere.
We do have reservations about the amount of padding used in modern
walking boots. It can mean an instantly comfortable fit in the shop
which gets sloppy as the padding compresses, so size carefully. The
memory foam does seem to work though and our picky left ankle stayed
resolutely comfy.
Finally, as with all boots, it’s crucial to find a brand that
suits your feet. The Salomons tested here have plenty of forefoot
volume coupled to a relatively snug fit in the ankle and heel
section.
Note If you like the idea of the Revo but want a butcher version, check out the higher cut Revo GCS version at £125.
