The Great Outdoors – August 2019

Judy Armstrong checks out a choice of lighter footwear for less demanding conditions

82 The Great OutdoorsAugust 2019

Lightweight boots

I

I love lightweight boots. I wear them all

year round given a choice, only switching

to sturdier, stiffer footwear for deep mud,

tougher scrambling routes, snow or ice, or

with a hefty backpack. Lightweight tends to

mean three-season (i.e. not winter), but to me

it’s more about how they feel on the feet.

If you’re wearing the right ones, you will

barely notice them. They’ll have a natural,

soft flex, which is less tiring on soles and

tendons. The trade-off is usually less lateral

rigidity (so it’s harder to support yourself

on the edge of the boot) and less density

underfoot (so with less shock absorption

on consistently difficult or sharp-rock

terrain). But it’s possible to have the best of

both worlds: forward flex with enough side

support for easy-grade scrambling and via

ferrata, for example.

Construction plays a major part in

Meindl

Tonale Lady GTX

£210 896g (size 4)

flex, support, low weight, comfort,

construction, grip

nothing

Uppers: suede leather, mesh, Gore-Tex lining

Mid/outsole: Meindl Vibram dual-

density rubber, EVA midsole

Sizes: 3.5-8 (men 6-12)

meindl.co.uk

This boot, new to Meindl’s extensive range this

year, was a real surprise. It looks like a hefty four-

season number, cut high enough for two well-

spaced ankle hooks plus a full rubber rand. But

it feels so light and dextrous on the feet, with a

natural flex combined with all-round support; it’s

confidence-inspiring and a pleasure to wear. This

is due to several factors. One is the construction:

suede for lateral support, with mesh over the

tongue to reduce heat retention and to minimise

WOMEN’S

this. Weight is saved through slimmer,

less insulated sole units, fabric and suede

rather than heavy-duty leather for uppers,

and less complex/lighterweight midsoles.

While uppers, midsole and sole units are the

obvious major components, lacing systems

should not be underestimated. It is intensely

irritating to have to adjust every lace line

through every loop every time; slim laces

that slide through eyelets, ideally with a

hook lock-off, offer accurate adjustment and

therefore greater comfort. Likewise, cuff

height makes a difference, as stiffer boots

need higher cuffs to help secure the heel, and

a decent dip at the back to avoid pressure on

the lower Achilles tendon.

Some brands consider lightweight boots

to be entry level, so use less sophisticated

construction or materials. Others replace

quality leathers and suedes entirely with

Features

1. Fit
   This is equally as important in a lightweight
   boot as in a heavier version. The critical points
   are to have an anchored (not pinched, but
   not loose) heel, a secure forefoot that does
   not compress your toes, and support (not
   compression) along the sides.


2. Flex
   Lightweight boots are flexible front to back, and
   laterally; they are inherently more comfortable
   than stiffer boots that make the soles of your
   feet and Achilles tendons tire more rapidly.
   Uppers with suede/leather lacing platforms will
   often flex where the fabrics join (not necessarily
   where you want it). Check the flex point by
   trying to bend the boot in half (toe toward cuff):
   see if it bends with a rounded flex or sharply to
   a specific point. If that specific point matches
   where your foot flexes (just back from your toes)
   it’ll be comfortable; if not, go with a rounded flex.


3. Support
   The soft cuffs on lightweight boots usually skim
   the ankle; the height is for comfort and security

rather than support. Underfoot support is

more important; good boots will have a shaped,

supportive footbed; flat footbeds should be

replaced with good removable insoles (I use

Orthosole). Sidewall support / torsional stability

is very important on steeper, technical terrain.

4. Lacing
   Laces should run smoothly for accurate
   adjustment, comfort and fit. Metal eyelets and
   hooks offer fluid lace movement; fabric loops
   are cheaper but generally make laces harder to
   adjust as they can stick rather than slide. Angled
   ankle eyelets or hooks help to anchor the heel.


5. Sole unit
   A narrow tread pattern is more likely to get
   choked with mud and debris; a wider pattern
   will self-clean more readily. A sole with a
   squared-off heel front edge will offer better
   purchase on descents. Very hard rubber
   will grip less on wet rock but last longer on
   rugged terrain. Rounded lugs offer grip on
   dry ground only.

textiles, and then add padding to build the

boot, which generally results in too much

insulation, not enough airflow and a floppy

upper. Both these approaches are mistaken,

in my opinion: a hillwalker’s three-season

boot, such as Meindl’s Tonale or Scarpa’s

ZG Trek, has inherently similar features to

a winter-weight boot – Vibram sole unit,

reinforced heel and toe boxes, accurate

lacing system and sturdy yet supple uppers –

but with more flex and therefore maximum

comfort. You get what you pay for in boots,

and lightweights are no exception.

The best in this test have proven ideal for

scrambling, trekking, hillwalking and summer

mountaineering. The energy saved through

lifting less weight with each step, and the

comfort of forward flex, have undoubtedly

made those hill experiences more enjoyable

• and isn’t that why we do it?

Gear comparative review