The X Alp MTN GTX from Salomon is a lightweight all-season mountain boot designed to facilitate speed in the hills without sacrificing the all-important requirement for stability and support.
Weighing in at 530g, they may be feathery in terms of weight but the X Alp MTN GTXs pack a serious punch when it comes to durability and performance on the hill. Designed to deliver the agility, precision and support required on ridges, scrambles and glaciers, these boots are packed full of features to facilitate freedom of movement across the whole mountain.
While not strictly winter specific, the X Alp MTN GTXs are crampon compatible just as long as you are using the C1 flexible harness-type fixing kind. They also have an insulation temperature rating that goes down to -12c that indicates that they are ideal for occasional winter mountain forays in the UK and easy alpine routes. Think snowy winter walks rather than the North Face of the Eiger and you'll be good to go.
Fit wise, if Salomon shoes work for you and you've got a narrow-to-medium volume foot then it's game on. The X Alp MTN GTXs felt immediately snug and comfortable during our winter walking boot test day in the snowy Cairngorms and whilst they did rub a little around the ankle at first, this felt more like a 'wearing in' issue rather than a potentially longer lasting problem.
As you'd expect from the pioneering French brand, the materials used in the construction of the X ALP MTN GTXs are first class. The stand-out feature is Salomon's 3D Edging Chassis, designed to facilitate the lateral edging performance of a far stiffer boot. This gives you security underfoot in challenging terrain without having to endure the rigidity of a full mountain boot.
Salomon's Contragrip mountaineering outsole may divide opinion when it comes to quality of grip but it's always worked well for us in potentially slippy conditions. The abrasion resistant lining is highly breathable and fast drying while the integration of GORE-TEX Performance Comfort technology means your feet stay dry even in the muddiest of terrain. Inside the boot, the EVA shaped footbed provides cushioning and anatomically designed support and the EVA heel cup keeps things steady at the rear. The OrthoLite sockliner is designed to create a cooler, drier, healthier and better cushioned environment under the foot and built to last. Selflocking molded eyelets hold the laces in place, minimising the need to stop and readjust the fit of the boot throughout the day and resulting in you getting to the pub for that well earned post mountain pint sooner!
Aesthetically, the X ALP MTN GTXs are easy on the eye and likely to appeal to those looking for something a little less glitzy than headline grabbing, carbon S/LAB boot in the same range. Available in both men's and women's versions for £200, these boots are most likely to appeal to aspirational alpinists who appreciate a technical boot yet value comfort and a flexible approach to their vertical adventures.
