Salewa Alp Trainers Mid GTX Hiking Boots

When I signed up for #HellHikeAndRaft, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I imagined long, strenuous days climbing mountains with an epic group of people more fit than me. I’d been rocking the Ahnu Sugarpine Waterproof Boot when I said yes to the adventure. They’re still my go-to shoe for a good chunk of my hikes.

I’m the type of person that sprains an ankle while standing still. I wanted something a little sturdier for the unknowns of Idaho, and eventually Mt. Whitney that fall. That’s where the Salewa Alp Trainers came into play.

After a bunch of perusing and hemming and hawing, I settled on the Salewa Alp Trainers Mid GTX hiking boots. Designed to be as functional as an approach shoe with the sensibilities of a hiking shoe, the Salewa Alp Trainers Mid GTX are lightweight but tough enough for any terrain the mountain throws at you.

The climbing style laces ensure you can dial in the right fit. Kevlar (bulletproof) rands and Vibram Hike Approach soles mean the boots can take in gnarly boulder hopping and crack jamming and still look fresh. Gore-Tex Extended Comfort membrane keeps your feet dry in rain or snowy conditions while still letting your feet breathe.

There’s a Multi-Fit Footbed inside the shoe so you can customize the shoe just for you. A thin neoprene ankle collar keeps rocks and other debris out of your shoe for the most comfortable hike ever.

I racked my brain to find something bad to say about these boots, but I came up empty. Except for the fact that sometimes I have to triple tie the laces; they’re sneaky little buggers.

If you’re looking for a sturdy but lightweight pair of hiking boots, these are it. The climbing shoe fit is fairly narrow so if you have wide feet, you might not like these shoes. If I weren’t so obsessed with gear, this would be my be all, end all shoe. Comfortable, sturdy, flexible, protective, lightweight, waterproof with a practically customizable fit? The Salewa Alp Trainers Mid GTX boots will do you solid.

Buy the Salewa Alp Trainers through REI or Amazon for $199.

Last updated on January 31, 2019.