For less demanding walkers aiming to walk at low levels, or make the odd foray into the hills in good conditions, the Altitude Lite makes a good low budget option. However, it probably won't appeal to more committed hill walkers as it has a 'bulky' feel to it and doesn't provide quite the support or cushioning of its more expensive rivals.
The uppers combine waterproof suede and nylon mesh and have a 'Dri-Tec' waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry, while Hi-Tec's 'i-shield' technology repels dirt and water which also helps to prevent stains.
However they don't wrap around the foot especially snugly resulting in the aforementioned 'bulky' look and feel. This is not such a big deal for easy walking but it's not great for more technical or delicate trails or rock hopping and scrambling.
You get underfoot cushioning in the form of an OrthoLite insole and an impact absorbing midsole. Again this wasn't as good as some of the more expensive options we reviewed but since the Altitude Lite isn't that likely to be used in especially demanding conditions it serves its purpose.
The multi-directional carbon rubber outsole is pretty sticky and grips well on most surfaces, and it's good to see that useful little features such as abrasion resistant heel and toe caps are included despite the budget pricing.
