T3 - UK (2021-03)

MARCH 2021 T3 77

Hiking boots

ike the tyres of a

car, the most

important part of

your outdoor gear

is the bit that grips the road or

trail, and a good quality pair of

hiking boots are the critical tools

you need to enjoy the outdoors.

The very best hiking boots

will not only be comfortable,

grippy and supportive, but will

also be adapted to the type of

hiking you’re most keen on.

That might be anything from

speed walking on low-level,

long-distance trails, casual

countryside footpath rambles of

a weekend, or more serious

expeditions into the wilder parts

of the world. Either way, there’s

a boot at a budget point that will

suit you down to the ground.

Here we review four to help

you find the best boots for you.

HOKA ONE ONE TENNINE HIKE GTX

£198.95, hokaoneone.eu

ARC’TERYX ACRUX TR GTX BOOT

£220, arcteryx.com

The Hoka guarantees attention, being ‘part hovercraft, part hiking
boot’ according to Hoka One One. Weirdly, that gigantic heel unit
overhanging the back of the boot might look enormous on the shelf,
but actually on the foot it’s surprisingly minimised, due to the angle
that your ankle sits in the boot. Another plus is the unusually vast
Vibram Megagrip sole area, which adds to a sure-footed impression
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the Hubble heel to feel as if it is propelling you forwards.
A great boot choice for more social low-level walks, Nordic walking,
or going fast and light on well-built trails.

Understated as ever, the Arc’teryx Acrux TR boots are super-

lightweight thanks to a ‘SuperFabric’ upper that’s armoured with a

micro-plating technology, which looks technical and feels very robust.

An aggressive sole geometry gives plenty of grip on loose ground or

mud, while a section of solid tread on the toe makes short work of

more technical rock moves. Reinforced rubber rand on the toes and

heel adds to durability without adding weight, and inevitably there’s

a waterproof Gore-Tex insert to keep weather out.

For hiking and trekking in all spring/summer terrain, the Acrux TR

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OUTSTANDING COMFORT AND UNORTHODOX DESIGN HIGH-PERFORMANCE, LOW-KEY-DESIGN SUMMER BOOT

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