In the last few years I had three of the five brands you tested, Andy: La Sportiva, Salomon and Altra. Although the types were slightly different - I have Salomon 4 ultra Mid f.i. - my experience is about the same. The Sportivas were nice, had good grip, but wore down very fast. Salomon have a great fit for me, are comfy, light and still stabile and just enough sturdy - love ‘m. The Altra’s finally - I had a zero drop shoe - wore down fast and gave me a pain at the back of my knees I never felt before. They also felt very soft in a strange way. Like I was constantly stepping in dog poop, although less slippery. So yes, you’re right I think, the Salomons are my favorites too.

My recommentation: Give the La Sportiva Akyra a try. But combinate them with insoles Icebug Insoles Slim (LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH) The reason is the only slightly weakpoint of the Akyra. The fascia have not got much "Outsole+Midsole"-protection around the midfood. On the other Side the 5th toe-beam is protected on the Level of a Category B hiking Boot Like the Meindl Vacuum. In the league of the Salomon X Ultra 4 the adidas Terrex Swift R3 will offer similiar 5th toe-beam protection Like the La Sportiva Akyra. E.g. the Scarpa Rush Looks Like offering protecrionh of the 5th toe-beam Like the La Sportiva Akyra but does Not reach the Akyra's Level of protection. The Asolo Softrock Shows also frames on the sides but the protection-level is much lower. The frames are more rails and there the Softrock shines. Good/secure fit from the Heel Up with good guidance in the shoes based on the good/secure fit in the Heel. Somekind of Energy-Savers. The adidas Terrex Swift R3 Mid GTX are somehow the Secret Follower of the adidas SuperTrekking Formotion (MY 2010+). Very stable shaft which needs Some time each day to loose it"s stiffness. It's thermofoam-related. My adidas SuperTrekking Formotion also have Thermofoam also Named Memory-Foam or Vacuum-Technology. The adidas Originals SuperTrekking from 1978 had Memory-Foam/Vacuum-Foam, already. adidas is the only shoemaker letting strobled Shoes Look Like "Pinched Style". The adidas Originals SuperTrekking from 1978 and the SuperTrekking Formotion are strobled and Not "Pinched Style". Leather is best for mud. Synthetics/Textiles don't Like mud and dust much. Not being washed/cleaned each day the synthetics/textile fabric "eats itself". Synthetics is best for wet conditions. Leather does Not Like wetness and Not many know how to treat leather. All Material & all Weather treatment = Holmenkol Natural Active Wax. Liquid Nikwax Products desintegrate the waterproofing and hydrophobation done at the factory on any leather Just avoides that wetness make the leather dry and hard the next days. So you Switch the waterproofing and hydrophobation. Nikwax can Not reindroduce the leather tanning. Nikwax does Not treat or protect the seams. Holmenkol Natural Active Wax does protect seams and seams-material, as you need Wax to protect seams and seams-material and Not a Water-/Oil-emolusion, which Nikwax is. Other Nikwax products Like creams are often incl. Beeswax, which is also hydrophile as it does incl. an Natural Emulgator (Lecithin, which is highly hydrophile!). Beeswax Like Wiool-Wax (Lanolin) is a leather softener, which makes the leather less stressable (tension, kneading, etc.). To avoid that tanning, waterproofing and hydrophobation is getting washed out you need leather fat. But Leather fat is not good for today's vegan tanning, which is plant based tanning finished often with waxed leather at hiking shoes and boots. Holmenkol Natural Active Wax incl. a substitution for leather fat...and even for leather oil. That possibility/characteristics ate shown by petrochemical-based paraffines already. We do have plant-based and animal-based paraffines as well and not just mineral-oil based paraffines. I do say: "The best of the Beeswax are the natural paraffines inside, while the natural Emulgator inside is poison fot leather". Holmenkol has all imside - Wax for treatment of seams and seams-material also good for synthetics upper. - Wax as Leather-Oil to keep the steength of the material mainly Leather. - Paraffines as protection agaimst tbe wash-out effect. - It's even offers dust- repelence and some mud-protection.

I've had two pairs of Altra Lonepeak and have loved them. I did over 800km in the first pair and had no problems with them. I think you really have to ease into using zero drop shoes. I live in Japan and did a 5 day 100 km hike over some very rugged terrain with a lot of combined altitude gain (over 8000m) in the second pair with no foot pain at all. Very tired legs overall but no foot pain and zero blisters. My second pair hasn't been as durable as my first pair though, so I'm trying out a pair of Topo Athletic mid boots. So far, so good. I just wish that they weren't so pricey.

Great post... A After watching your Cumbria way series I was going to ask about "Feet", and this video captures most of what was on my mind. I'll be seeking a "proper fit" for my next boots that's takes into account walking style, arch support etc and whether that brings in innersoles, moulded soles etc. Thanks for making this one

I use the inov-8 v2 currently and they're but far the best boots for me, that I've ever owned. Salomon have let me down badly, on wet grass they were like ice skates. I was all over the shop. I have purchased some altra lone peaks for the warmer months coming. I have some mont blancs already and love the zero drop, my arthritic knees were so much better after a few days hiking. Shame you couldnt get your mate on to talk about them first hand, or to have tried some for yourself for an actual in person test.

I found Merrels a bit loose at the heel, and Salomons a bit tight around the toe area. The Altra Lone Peaks were an eye-opener for me - yes, they are a bit softer, and feel a bit less supportive, but the wide toe-box means that all the horrible toe blister problems I suffered to date, are gone, and they fit the rest of my foot perfectly (ok, part of the solution means that the width allows me to wear Injinji toe-socks, with darn-tough over the top - but BLISS). I do use them for hiking rather than climbing, and can imagine they might not hack it for that use. Cheers

I bought the Nortiv 8 based on your review. At first I was very impressed but they starting leaking water after a few walks (even with waterproof spray) and after 6 months of heavy usage, the sore starting coming away. This is my main issue with cheap hiking boots, the sore glue simply isn't strong enough.

Altra Olympus 5 trail are my favourites but the initial springy sole/heel doesn't last. I wouldn't wear Asics if they were given. I did a 1200 mile charity walk 2 yrs ago in Asics and my feet were in bits after 8 days, I had to go to the A&E dept and was given anti biotics for 5 days. I walked the C2C in columbia peak freak trail shoes and darn tough socks with feet blathered in vaseline, not 1 blister in 190 miles! Next multi day hike I plan on altra olympus 5 with drymax socks, no vaseline, just to see if the "no blister" claim is true! I wouldn't wear boots on multi day hikes either, too heavy and it tires the lower legs out quicker.

I'm fan of good leather boots Andy at min I just got lowa hunter gtx evolution and la sportiva tx4 approach shoes and find they suit me I'm not walking over countryside in flimsy running shoes I already got 1 titanium ankle 😂

Have recently purchased some Beghaus VC22 Mid GTX boots. I have to say that these have been fantastic. I take your point about using Nikwax to enhance waterproofness - that's a top tip.

Were all of those shoes true to size for you? I personally found out that I should have gone up 1/2 size in the Salomon I have

Don’t know if you’re aware Andy, but you can get a lot of La Sportiva boots and shoes resoled.

As you're an expert ... Should you wax brand new leather boots .. before using them for the first time Wouldn't that make sure they are waterproof

What would you recommend fr summer treks in UK, lightweight goretex boot/trainer or non goretex?

My Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX has two tears/holes in both boots and this after 3 months and 500kms. Very very dissappointing 🙁

Is there any difference which brand to choose? La sportiva ,salewa or salomon etc? I found a grip on salomon element to ve bad on wet surfaces,like some ppl mentioned..trying now la sportiva tx hike. So many shoes out there..

Hi What mens hiking boots would u recommend for slim low volume feet.

My g400 v1 fell apart (sole detached) after 3 months, would never buy inov8 stuff ever again.

I like a full leather boot for the winter, waterproofness and security walking through water, rocks, mud, crap, etc🙂🙂

I have both versions of the Inov8 400s. The original were comfy straight from the box but the version 2 gave me huge blisters on the inside of both heels. The La Sportivas also gave me blisters. Maybe its just me...

Hey Andy, double guns on this thumbnail!😉😂..

Take two pairs of footwear and a variety of socks.

Cheers, can you get a woman to come on the channel and do the same for women’s boots? I need new boots but I have bone spurs and wide feet and I’d love some advice on comfort