In addition to this, the supplied insoles are low volume efforts which leave a lot to be desired; if you value your feet I suggest investing in some ‘orthotic’ insoles – they quite literally transformed my hikes. The laces are particular thin, perfect for the modern looks, not so when you’re attempting to adjust them in the freezing mid-winter weather. Despite their modern looks and streamlined design, the boots are pretty hard wearing. I’m obsessive in gear-care, so they do get cleaned and re-waxed/treated after each outing, which may not be as representative as your typical user, but there are few signs of wear after around 9 months of hard use. The Kento is constructed from a mixture of both synthetic and natural materials. The majority of the upper is made from high-quality velours leather, which is soft, warm and comfortable, perfect for high alpine environments. The remainder is formed of a supple textile material that provides exceptional dexterity and comfort. All in all, these boots are in brilliant contrast to my previous ones. A true all-rounder with serious bragging rights in the looks and function department. Time will tell on just how hard wearing they are – providing my inner magpie doesn’t see something shinier. Stand Out Features

This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister.

Ease of Use

The shoe contains outstanding grip and minimum weight thanks to a sole developed specially by Mammut and Vibram, while the improved last design supplies an optimum fit. Lined with Gore-Tex’s Performance Comfort Lining, your feet will remain dry regardless of the weather. I’ve found the sole, a Vibram effort, to be perfect in both aggressiveness and support, all while allowing the user to attach some pretty functional C1 crampons. A nice balance between comfort, useability and function. There’s an age-old argument amongst enthusiasts and professionals alike; Boots Vs. Shoes. It used to be pretty easy to choose. If you’re running/climbing, wear shoes; If you’re hiking over bad ground, wear boots. But nowadays, with shoes being blessed with some pretty fancy tech, and boots getting lighter and more breathable, the choice is a little less obvious. The main fabric is made from DryTechnology Pro 2.5 which has a HH of 20,000 mm. We can certainly vouch for its resistance against heavy downpours and increased wind-speed. Many hours spent in tough conditions high on the Monadhliath Munros are testament to this. memo foam is incorporated into the shoe, which provides insulation at higher altitudes and at lower temperatures. A pre-shaped tongue construction is supplemented with 2-zone lacing, which supports the anatomy of the foot and works with its natural rolling movement so you don’t feel restricted.

If you can see this amount of space then you are pretty much on the way to making sure that your boots are the correct size. This space between your toes and the end of the footbed ensures that you will not stub your toes on the inside of the boot when you descend. This can be excruciatingly painful. If you can’t see this amount of space then it’s a good bet that the boots will be too small. A lightweight mountaineering boot, made with high quality, sustainably produced materials and designed for classic mountain tours and much more. A new last and sole design developed by Vibram and Mammut offers an optimised fit with less weight and more grip, while a breathable Gore-Tex® membrane keeps your feet dry and comfortable. The Mammut Kento is an A7 shoe and is therefore compatible with strap-on crampons. Constructed on a mountaineeringTech last, the fit is optimised for use in alpine mountain environments and for use in conjunction with crampons. Motion control technology allows for multidirectional ankle flex so you feel unrestricted whilst hiking. But let’s not dwell on what you don’t have, instead we shall teach you how to ascertain your size using some common household objects. However, even after the most rigorous assessment and testing, there is no better way to be absolutely sure than to have the boots on your feet for an extended period of time. We therefore offer our Home Trial Period which gives you the opportunity to wear the boots around your house to give you an indication of how they feel before you venture outside. We recommend that during the Home Trial Period that you wear the boots for as long as possible and at different times of the day, wear them up and down stairs, when moving around and when resting, you can even sleep in them if you want.Motion Control: Reinforced, flexible inside prevents you from twisting your ankle while maintaining full freedom of movement The Vibram rubber outsole is very grippy indeed across wet and dry terrain. The samples arrived too late for me to take them above the snowline, but they will be broken in perfectly for that test this coming winter. The heel has a counter to take a crampon heel clip, and the heel construction is solid enough that a crampon shouldn’t be felt while you wear them.

Another area which could be frustrating was the main YKK Vislon 2-way front zipper. Although the pull is large and can be used wearing gloves it’s a pain to initially function. Causing issues especially when a sudden shower is approaching and you’re frantically trying to join the zipper. Available in three different colours, Blue, Red and Grey, the styling is some of the most modern and radical available on the market at the time of writing. Maybe less suited to a traditional-led rambler, but they ooze style and function to someone like me.

Flexibility

Membrane: Underneath this, a Gore-Tex membrane provides total waterproofing, ensuring your feet stay warm and dry throughout the day. Lower down, a super tough rubber is used to reinforce high wear areas such as the outer side, the toe and the heel.