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Kayland Apex Trek Boot
Apex Trek Boot

Do hiking boots made with fabric uppers offer enough ankle support?

Are backpacking boots made with fabric uppers stiff enough for good ankle support and protection against sharp rocks? I'm looking at the Kayland Apex Trek for a trip to Alaska, where I will glacier walk with crampons. Most of my other packing is done in the lower 48. John Evanston, Illinois

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Kayland Apex Trek Boot

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It聮s certainly true that today聮s boots increasingly are 聯hybrids”聴part leather, part fabric. For the most part, that creates a more comfortable boot, as fabric doesn聮t need any break-in period. Fabric also is lighter, and, well, cheaper than leather. So you most often see it in sub-$150 boots. Also, take into account the notion that fabrics don聮t soften as much as leather over time. So while such a boot may feel softer at first, it聮s apt to hold up pretty well.

Kayland Apex Trek Boot

Kayland Apex Trek Boot Apex Trek Boot

That said, I wouldn聮t call the Apex ($250) so much 聯fabric” as 聯synthetic.” It聮s really a light mountaineering boot with a rigid sole that聮s fully crampon compatible. Its uppers consist of microfiber along with a tough nylon material that looks a bit like leather. Pretty high-end materials聴tougher and more durable than the stuff you find in light hikers. I wouldn聮t have any worries about whether it would offer enough support. I聮d worry that it聮s too much boot for what you need.

But, if you聮re headed that way, take a look as well at the Trango S Evo ($290). It聮s also a hiker/light mountaineering boot, one that I聮ve worn (I confess I haven聮t worn the Kaylands) and that I like a lot. It聮s crampon compatible and has a slim profile that聮s at home on the trail and on steeper rock or ice. Like the Kaylands, it聮s a synthetic boot with uppers of Cordura nylon and reinforced polyester. Very tough.

Or, for something a little more traditional, take a look at the fairly new Escape ($235). Its uppers are mostly leather, save for the rubber rand around the lower perimeter. Crampon-compatible, Gore-Tex lining (both the La Sportiva and Kaylands also have waterproof liners), Vibram soles, and very comfortable. They聮re wider than the La Sportivas, so take that into consideration. I聮ve worn these boots as well and find them extremely comfortable and versatile.

Another really good all-leather boot is the Power Matic 200 GV ($245). It聮s in the same class as the three above: heavy trekking or light mountaineering. Full leather uppers, crampon-ready, Gore-Tex liner. It聮s a pretty stiff boot, probably the stiffest in this lineup. If support is a concern, these would be worth a look

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