This is, as you’d expect from a brand with Scarpa’s reputation and heritage, a cracking hiking boot. Though styled (to my non-climber’s eyes) along the lines of a climbing shoe, the Mojito Hike GTX is an extremely comfortable, supportive walking boot of the kind that you soon forget you’re wearing. And that – comfort – is what it’s all about.
John Manning’s Best In Test
At £205 it’s the pricey – but that’s the price of quality and comfort.- Comfort
- Weight
- Stability
- Full Boot Lacing
- Traction
- Low Instep
- Price
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £205 Weight: 970g (stated, men’s size 8/EU42)/1,195g (on JM’s scales, men’s size 10.5/EU45) Eco/ethical claims: Bluesign-approved Gore-Tex lining materials; resoleable by Scarpa; Scarpa publishes a Green manifesto. Materials: 1.8mm Ware resistant suede upper; Gore-Tex lining Features: Vibram XS Trek rubber outsole; Gore-Tex BlueSign-approved membrane; round core laces Sizes: men’s 7–13/EU41–48; women’s 3.5–8/EU36–42 Women/men’s version: Yes URL: www.scarpa.co.uk |
That climbing shoe-like lacing system is a major factor: the laces extend down to the toes, and there are two pairs of upper hooks to enable them to be tied off easily and securely. That means you’re able to achieve a precise, supportive fit down virtually the entire length of the boot. The relative stiffness of the suede upper means there’s little shift in the lacing so, once you’ve got it sorted, you can enjoy your hike without having to constantly pause and adjust the lacing. The firm suede aids foot stability, as does the effective, supportive heel cup. The boot – rated by Scarpa as medium fit – was roomy enough for comfort, without either the shifting or tightness I’ve experienced with others.
Every other aspect of the boot was great. The Vibram XS Trek rubber outsole offered decent traction, enabled a natural walking action, and has a good half-centimetre instep to aid braking on slopes. Water simply ran off the suede upper initially, even when crossing flooded ground; the suede later started to darken as it absorbed a little moisture but nothing ever got through to the feet.
A decent rubber bumper at the front of the boot protects the toes from rock impacts though I found the toe area roomy enough for there to be little prospect of a toe battering on descents.
The Mojito Hike GTX is one of the weightier boots among the batch tested but, at 1,195g for a pair, falls easily within the range of what I regard as acceptable: comfort is far more important a consideration to my mind, and that’s what I got. At £205 it’s the priciest – but that’s the price of quality and comfort.
Reviewed and tested by John Manning
John has medium-to-broad UK10.5 (EU45) feet; his left foot is marginally larger. He tested the boots on varied terrain, from limestone and gritstone Pennine fells to steep vegetated slopes, muddy field paths and pathless Pennine moors. The footwear was weighed at home on his kitchen scales.
