James Roddie tests the AKU Superalp V-Light GTX, an excellent boot better suited for three-season conditions.
This is an excellent boot, best suited for three season and milder winter conditions. At 745g for a size 9.5 boot, it feels surprisingly lightweight for its sturdiness. It has a high ankle collar, nicely padded and offering plenty of support.
James Roddie recommends
The eco credentials of this excellent boot for milder conditions will appeal to many.- breathability
- environmental credentials
- not well insulated
- sole durability
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £300 |
| Weight: 1490g (UK size 9.5 pair) |
| B rating: B1 |
| Waterproofing: Goretex performance comfort recycled |
| Upper: Recycled microfibre RePet |
| Crampon welts: None |
| Sole: Vibram Curcuma |
| Sizes: UK 5-13/EU 38-48 |
| Men’s version? No (closest is the Superalp Light GTX) |
| aku.co.uk |
A 360° rubber rand extends high up the boot, particularly at the heel, and this does a great job of protecting the upper from scuffing. The Vibram sole has deep lugs and an aggressive heel break. It really shines for use on soft, wet ground, where grip is superb. It does seem to wear quite quickly if being used on rocky ground, showing noticeable wear after a winter day in Torridon.
Breathability really is excellent. The flip side of this is that insulation is relatively minimal, meaning that your feet may chill quickly in full winter conditions. The Gore-tex lining works very well, and I have had no problems walking over continuously boggy ground for several hours. I found this to be a very comfortable boot.
The lacing allows you to achieve the right tension easily, but I would have preferred the laces to have extended slightly further down the toe. The sole is stiff enough so that C1 crampons can be used, but it provides enough flexibility to make walking long distances perfectly comfortable.
The environmental credentials of this boot will be appealing to many. It is vegan friendly, with an 100% recycled microfibre upper, a Gore-tex lining which is laminated with 99% recycled yarns, and the laces are made from recycled polyester.
AKU produce these boots in Italy (where they are based), which may help to reduce their overall carbon footprint. This is a highly comfortable and lightweight boot, perhaps best for stable snow conditions rather than freezing bogs and winter storms.
Testing Conditions
James is a UK size 9.5/EU 44. He tested the boots during the winter of 2023/24 in a variety of weather and conditions in the hills of the Scottish Highlands. Terrain varied from easy trails under light snow cover, to Grade 1 winter mountaineering ground in typical mid-season condition.
This review was first published in the February 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors. To compare this model to others suited to winter mountain days, as chosen by the experts, see our guide to the best winter mountaineering boots.
