The Altitude Pros are fully waterproof with a 2.2mm full grain oiled leather upper and a Dri-Tec waterproof and breathable membrane.
The heel and toe are capped with an abrasion-resistant material which protects the vulnerable leather (as well as your vulnerable toes!) and helps to keep water out.
One of the most impressive features of the boot is the Vibram Rolling Gait System which is currently exclusive to Hi-Tec. The curved sole is designed to mimic the natural roll of the foot as it impacts the ground. Once you get used to the slightly strange sensation it does feel a little more natural than a standard boot but how much this actually contributes to reducing muscle fatigue is difficult to quantify.
As with other Hi-Tec boots we’ve tested, the Altitude Pros required very little breaking in and these have remained comfortable throughout, they’re also surprisingly lightweight for such a sturdy, chunky boot.
The grip of the sole is excellent and the bend is just right with the twist also being nice and stable. Ankle support is good with plenty of cushioning – another nod towards comfort.
We sometimes find that the footbeds of modern walking boots provide insufficient cushioning - presumably as a result of the drive towards lighter weight and smaller volume. This being the case, we opt to use our own in-soles, which is what we did with the Altitude Pros. We would prefer to sacrifice a little weight in return for a comfier footbed but can’t blame Hi-Tec for following the trend to compete with the other brands out there.
At the recommended retail price of £119.99 the Altitude Pros represent great value for money when stacked up against the competition – especially considering that we would place the performance and durability of the boot in the premium category where boots tend to retail at £150 and up.
