Weighed my hiking boots today....

[Foxster]

...1354g!

There's got to be some good ankle-length rugged boots that are waterproof and weigh a lot less than that.

I don't want to switch to rugged trainers. I like the ankle support and waterproofness of boots.

I've looked online at On Cloudrocks and Inov8 Roclite G370s. Both have good reviews.

Thoughts?

 

[Odd Man]

...1354g!

There's got to be some good ankle-length rugged boots that are waterproof and weigh a lot less than that.

I don't want to switch to rugged trainers. I like the ankle support and waterproofness of boots.

I've looked online at On Cloudrocks and Inov8 Roclite G370s. Both have good reviews.

Thoughts?

@Chiseller might have some experience with Roclites, I recall vaguely.

 

[Shewie]

Is that per boot or for the pair?

I really liked my Salomon X Ultra Trek boots, they’re a few years old now and due for replacement but great boots. 530g each I think.

 

[Foxster]

Is that per boot or for the pair?

I really liked my Salomon X Ultra Trek boots, they’re a few years old now and due for replacement but great boots. 530g each I think.

Oh, that's the pair. So not leather but not particularly light either. Probably looking for something around the 400-500g per boot area.

 

[Shewie]

Roclites like Lempo said, although some of the more recent ones are a bit crap, my 320’s have been good but I know some have had issues.

Adidas Terrex Swift R were good too

 

[Robert P]

I've got on well with the Salomon X Ultra Mids, they are listed as c 450g (not sure what size Salomon use as their standard weight). In my experience the Goretex lasts reasonably well in these. Of course they need to fit your feet...

 

[Enzo]

Think chiseller found the inov8 370 unreliability waterproof, but sure he'll be along to give a first hand review.
Only inov8 ''boot' I have is non gortex 325, and they are just a 305 with higher bit at the back, not I think what your looking for.

There follows a self indulgent brain fart re inov8 shoes...

Don't work for me either, as I use the more durable but less breathable 315 in anything but very hot weather and the more breathable mesh in the 305/325 I'd use in hot weather. But I don't have a 305 only 325 which would be too hot coming higher up your ankle, doh!

I'm lusting after the rocklite G275, same sole (but with grafine, which apparently works) as my beloved 315 but lighter.
Less stiff I hear so perhaps not quite as good as a walking shoe.

 

[Baldy]

Adidas terrex mids are much tougher than inov8s and have better ankle support.

 

[OwenM]

I have inov8 G275's but not used them much, they do seem comfortable. I'm still not sure about the accursed GTX liners. They do tend to hinder drying.

 

[Enzo]

I have inov8 G275's but not used them much, they do seem comfortable. I'm still not sure about the accursed GTX liners. They do tend to hinder drying.

Thanks for the feedback

I always get my inov8s when they are on sale, so it'll be a while before I get my hands on s pair of g275, unless some come up s/h.

Is that a general musing on gtx (I concur, ok for cold wet day hikes) or can you get g275 in gortex?

 

[OwenM]

Is that a general musing on gtx (I concur, ok for cold wet day hikes) or can you get g275 in gortex?

Musing on gtx in general, but the g275 are gore-tex lined. Unfortunately they don't do them without.

 

[Enzo]

Really!?
That's crazy.
I'm out

 

[EM-Chiseller]

G370....
A review to come (could be a while)
I couldn't find information on whether they were 'membraned' or just relied on the ballistic nylon weave.
They ARE Constructed with a membrane and it doesn't appear to be a wrap/sock type.

Comfort... Very comfortable, straight from the box....
Grip.... Found them to have more grip than the regular Roclite tread pattern.
Durability.... Mine showed signs of stress on the toe creases where my foot bends to push off very early on. It wasn't inspiring.
Fit... I went a full size up as I wanted the ability to wear sealskinz inside if needed (as I didn't know they were membraned) and to allow for swelling on big days..
The tongue area is very wide as there's not enough material to reduce the exposed tongue.
The heel cup and cuff seemed to have a bit more support than my other two pairs of Inov-8 boots.
Water resistance/breathability.... Nothing special, and they were worn during cold temps.
My feet never got too warm in them, partly due to the tempretures. So breathability wasn't tested.
Before the split, they kept lower level water out but with some moisture that wasn't sweat.
Cushioning.... Not a deep cushion, but miles of stoney and rock edges didn't trouble the soles of my feet.

FAILURE
Mine split between the sole and upper in two areas after around 50miles on the hills.
I received a full refund minus postage via Sports shoes.
I talked to an employee of Peter Bland and he let slip that they'd had a couple of returns for the same fault.

It may have just been a bad batch, but it was enough to deter me from having replacements.
I'd try them again, but they'd have to be around half price in a sale to consider them again.

 

[Foxster]

Thanks for info on the G370s, Chiseller.

Do you think that them failing may be a 'feature' of lightweight boots? I mean, they have shaved off half the weight of other hiking boots and surely that is at the expense of durability?

My Berghaus boots may weigh 50% more but they have been up hill and down dale over hundreds of rugged miles and there's zero sign of any structural failing.

 

[Enzo]

My inov8 315 have done many hundreds of miles, the tread is getting To the point where they are no longer winter shoes (too slippery for the clay round here) but plenty of miles left on drier trails.
The uppers are good as new. No holes or creases, no duff stitching or lifting bonded bits.

Inov8 are capable of making a very durable boot, whether they have I don't know.

I'm not convinced 1.3kg is too bad for a pair of durable boots.
My Salomon Xalp carbon, which are really a high tech trail shoe with integral gator are over 500g each

 

[EM-Chiseller]

@Foxster No, I don't belive it's due to weight. My other two pair of inov8 boots are lighter than the 370 and have done big miles, as well as being worn for work. They've held up well.
I Belive (so probably not right) that with the 370 that it could have been a rogue or bad batch. I also belive, Inov8 hadn't had the materials and construction tested as thoroughly as other models due to them being a boot and rushing to get yet another Graphene soled shoe out on the market. They are pushing the Graphene very hard.
If the soles last longer... The uppers should too... But then there's lack of sales if they're built too well.
Trail folks seem to either have worn their inov8 with the uppers perished and toes poking through... Or been frustrated as the uppers have lasted but they've worn the soles smooth.

For any brand, it's tricky getting the balance between grip and longevity.

A lot of it is wearing the right shoe for the right terrain. To have a do all is a big ask whilst keeping the weight down.
Even brands like Altra have been getting some slating for durability lately.

 

[dovidola]

1500g for my pair of size 10 Scarpas (R-Evolution GTX) - maybe I should look to 'modernise'? But I've very few complaints about my boots, which I took a long time choosing to replace my (heavier and equally satisfactory) Meindl Burma Pros.

Before the Meindls were a pair of Zamberlan Alplites, and before those some Brashers (which I didn't like, despite their popularity). Before that a pair by Jack Hawkins (if I remember right) which were fine after the substantial breaking-in period.

Why this personal roll-call of footwear? Because that takes me right back to my teens (the 1970s), each pair giving a good (or bad in the case of Brasher) 10 years' service. In all that time, only one slight failure when some stitching lifted on the ankle of the Zamberlan, the result of scree-running on Skye, repaired without quibble by the supplier.

Unlike some others, I can't countenance owning a selection of boots/shoes to choose from - I want one to do it all, which must involve a degree of compromise. The last word, therefore, to @Chiseller :

A lot of it is wearing the right shoe for the right terrain. To have a do all is a big ask whilst keeping the weight down.

 

[Foxster]

According to the bloke from the local specialist hiking shop, I can't go wrong with some Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTXs. Salomon's own online store have some in fruity colours for only £87.

 

[Whiteburn]

According to the bloke from the local specialist hiking shop, I can't go wrong with some Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTXs. Salomon's own online store have some in fruity colours for only £87.

I quite like the Salomon X Ultra Mid's for 'shoulder season' treks, lugs aren't that deep though; I can't abide seal skin type socks with trainers & I'm too much of a wimp to go tromping through slush without waterproof boots.
For real winter though I prefer something with a heavier lugged sole that will 'kick' into snow slopes (& more insulation) & suffer 1.65kg (pair) Altberg Malerstangs.

 

[Charlie83]

This is my current (some will never see daylight again mind) footwear list, weight per pairView attachment 222

 

[OwenM]

I have inov8 G275's but not used them much, they do seem comfortable. I'm still not sure about the accursed GTX liners. They do tend to hinder drying.

Whoops, got the number wrong. Their G345's not275's but everything else still stands.

 

[Matt Chaz]

Thanks for the heads up on the Salomens Foxster! Colour isnt that wild, will get a pair at that price, as been wanting these a while. My Scarpa leather boots weigh 1400g for the pair, so to be able to lose 4-500 grams off my feet by using a well regarded boot, has to be worth a try.
Am starting back out in the backpacking game (did a bit on my teens), been putting together my gear for a year or more , paying a lot of attention to keeping stuff light. Got a respectable base weight of around 6.5kg, inc phone, camera. Lots of ebay bargains used. To get my weight much lower suddenly starts getting stupid expensive as everything probably would need to be bought new, to get the quality items that fit a tight spec ie Cumulus sleeping bag, Liteway gear pack, costs are coming in usually in the range of a pound/euro spent for every gram shaved! Certainly can't justify that sort of spend at the mo

 

[Walkertg]

These work for me when I’m not in non-waterproof trail runners (or winter boots): https://www.adidas.co.uk/terrex-ax3-mid-gore-tex-hiking-shoes/BC0466.html

860g the pair (UK 8.5)

Good Goretex waterproofing, fully enclosed tongue, aggressive Continental brand sole and a handy little elastic thing to keep the laces out of the way.

 

[Scottk]

I’m a big fan of the salomons if they fit you. Got 4 pairs currently. Use them for a year then relegate to light walking once the tread has worn down. Had a couple of pairs with failed waterproofing but been replaced under the 2 year warranty. Have had them in snow with micro spikes but would use my winter boots for a full mountain day with snow on the ground.

 

[Foxster]

I've ordered a couple of pairs through Amazon Wardrobe to try...Adidas Terrex AX3 Mid GTX and Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX.

I'll let you all know which, if either, I keep.