If you're looking for waterproof hiking boot that can handle a variety of vertical terrain then the Scarpa Trek GTX is well worth a look.
Out of the box, there's nothing startling about the Trek GTX. There's no glaringly obvious bells and whistles, no ghastly colour combinations or startlingly niche features. A classic brown leather hillwalking boot that's obviously built for purpose, the Trek GTX neither attracts or repels which is a very good strategy when one considers the boot's purpose as an all-rounder designed to take you into a range of different mountain environments.
Whilst the classic style of the Trek GTXs will undoubtedly appeal to a wide cross section of the hillwalking and hiking population, those with wider, higher volume feet may fall by the wayside as soon as they pull these boots on. Designed specifically for those with lower volume feet and narrow heels, the Scarpa Trek GTX offer the kind of snug fit that can be very hard to come by.
Out on the trail they do their job and do it well. The GORE-TEX liner and durable leather upper combine to offer waterproof protection meaning that your feet will be kept dry when smashing through bogs, puddles and muddy sections on the trail. We tested the boots on a surprisingly warm Scottish spring day and found that the boots allowed our feet to breathe however we've not tested them in the full heat of summer so can't confirm how they'd hold out on a scorching August hiking trip in the Alps.
The Scarpa Trek GTX offer decent padding and support around the ankle however we felt that we could do with additional arch support inside the boot. The standard comfort fit footbed may work fine for most but anyone with a lower arch might want to use their own custom footbeds for extra reassurance.
In terms of protection, there's all the usual kind of features that you'd expect from a solid hill walking boot such as the durable toe rand designed to keep scuffs and scrapes at bay.
The most impressive feature of the Trek GTX is the aggressive, technical Vibram Biometric sole. Designed to deliver on-trail stability, rear and forefoot cushioning, and maximum traction in a wide range of conditions, it does a really good job all over the mountain. Stiff enough to edge but not so stiff that you feel like you're going to be spun out and roll your ankle if you step awkwardly on a loose rock, the overall sensation is of reliable performance.
Whilst £200 may feel like a big investment for a not particularly exciting looking boot, what you get with the Scarpa Trek GTX is a quality boot that will deliver on-trail reassurance when you need it most.
