/ 025A good pair of shoes can go a long way, and if you
spend a lot of time outdoors, you need some solid
footwear suited to your activity. To find this season’s
best trail shoes, we went to the experts at Ellis
Brigham, where buyer and climbing enthusiast Jeremy Stevens
tells us there are two things to watch out for when trying on
different pairs. ‘When going uphill, you want to avoid friction
between the heel and boot, which can cause blisters, and whenyou walk downhill, you don’t want your foot hitting the front
of the boot, as this can be agonising,’ he says. Jeremy has been
a climbing buyer for 10 years and knows the importance of
getting an accurate fit. He recommends trying shoes in the
afternoon, as feet can swell throughout the day, and wearing
good-quality, moisture-wicking socks at the shoe fitting.
‘Bad socks can ruin your experience of a good pair of shoes;
you wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and put basic tyres on it!’ he says.SCARPA PHANTOM TECH
Mountaineering boot for alpine
and ice climbing
‘These boots have lots of layers,
including a waterproof membrane,
to keep your feet warm in extreme
conditions. The offset zip that
goes around the ankle is a nice
feature because you don’t get
an uncomfortable buckling
feeling on the front of your leg
where the zip normally sits.
It’s got quite a hefty price tag
because it’s specifically built for
different types of environments,
from alpine terrain to ice.’
Costs £525; scarpa.comARC’TERYX ACRUX SL
Approach shoe for rocky terrain
‘Designed to give maximum grip,
approach shoes will help you
tackle rocky terrain comfortably.
They’re a great choice for
scrambling or walking on steep,
rocky ground. They used to
be leather and very bulky but
the latest designs are super
lightweight with rubber on the
outsole for extra friction. Arc’teryx
is new at producing footwear
but these shoes have a great
combination of grip and durability,
and the uppers fit snugly.’
Costs £120; arcteryx.comINOV-8 TRAIL TALON 275
Running shoe for hardpack trails
‘Trail running is growing in
popularity and the Trail Talon has
been a big hit this winter. It has a
deep stud on the bottom (around
4mm), which gives you extra grip
on muddy ground. It also has
great cushioning and support,
which makes your running flow
naturally. This is important because
when you are running on trails,
your foot can hit uneven ground
every time it lands. The upshot is
that you can go a long distance
without wearing out your legs.’
Costs £110; inov-8.comSALOMON QUEST 4D 2 GTX
Walking boot for backpacking
and day hikes
‘The opposite of lightweight
running shoes, hiking shoes
have traditionally been all about
giving good support, but this
innovative pair is different. It’s the
first of its kind, combining the
support you need with lightweight
nubuck leather (used in running
shoes) that doesn’t weigh you
down. The material is supple
and water-resistant, too, and
the outsole is rugged so the
shoes should last and last.’
Costs £160; salomon.comHot on the trail
Gadgets
All-terrain footwearWords: Yashi BanymadhubFOR THE HIKERFOR THE
TRAIL
RUNNERFOR THE
SCRAMBLER
SERIOUS FOR THE
CLIMBERWe can’t promise the
right footwear will make
the climb effortless – but
it’ll certainly help