I’ve always got on with Mammut boots and Raichle before them, and the Pacific Crests were immediately comfortable – and stayed so. As the name suggests, these are primarily 3-4 season walking boots rather than mountaineering boots – and much better for most of our winter hillwalking needs. The fit is tight so if you have wide feet you’ll certainly want to try them on before considering them, but I found them reassuringly supportive.
The sole is just about stiff enough to take flexible crampons, but not for serious climbing. The lacing system allows you to tighten the forefoot and locks the laces reasonably well, and the deep-set ankle loop ensures a sturdy fit. The boot is made from Nubuck leather and has a Gore-Tex lining. Mammut’s ‘Rolling Concept’ ensures a steady walk, even though there’s not that much cushioning.
The Vibram sole isn’t very aggressive compared with others here and the narrow lug pattern means it picks up mud. That is the only minor problem with an otherwise excellent, fairly light, versatile 3-4 season boot, which I would certainly recommend if you’re doing more walking than mountaineering.
First published: Jan 2014
