Raichle MT Trail XT GTX Walking Boots for Women - Product Review / Walking Gear Test

	MT Trail XT GTX Walking Boot for Women
	Vital Statistics: Sizes: UK 4 - 9 Weight: 1680 gms SRP: £150.00

Features to Note:

• Outer Material: Full grain leather
• Outer Sole: Vibram Backpacking Rolling II Advanced Sole
• Lining: Gore-Tex
• ATD tongue with separate high water gusset
• Internal Motion Control Concept
• Gore-tex lining to provide waterproofness
• A 4-part sole unit that provides a high level of shock absorption, support and flexibility.
• Generous padding around ankle cuff and tongue.
• Tongue has full gusset to prevent water leakage.

In-use Test:

Our testing for the Raichle MT Trail XT GTX Walking Boots for Women was over a number of sequential, long day walks in the Lake District.

My immediate impression was of how comfortable the Raichle MT Trail XT GTX Walking Boots for Women were - the volume of padding around the ankle cuff and tongue made them supremely comfortable right from day one. More than that, the boot stayed comfortable throughout our test even when the terrain was over rocky granite.

Both the upper and sole are relatively stiff so - taken with the relatively high cut of the boot - there was an excellent level of support over a variety of terrain. In our opinion the sole is stiff enough to take flexible crampons for short periods of time. The aggressive Vibram sole worked well to provide decent grip on both mud and rock.

The boot is water-proof and has an excellent lacing system so it's easy to get on.

The only downside was that at times my feet became very hot - I guess this is an inevitable consequence of the goretex lining. My only other minor complaint is that the rubber toe-cap has lifted very slightly on the top of each boot. This hasn't affected the functionality at all - just the look!

Buying Advice:

By most people's standards, the Raichle MT Trail XT GTX Walking Boot for Women is a top-of-the-range, feature-rich walking boot. In our testing, the performance did justify the price making this a worthwhile investment if you're looking for a well-crafted, solid yet supremely comfortable Hillwalking/Trekking boot for use throughout the year.

They are not officially 'badged' as crampon compatible. However, I have used them with flexible crampons for short periods of time.

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Where to buy:

What do you think?

Have you got/bought Raichle MT Trail XT GTX Walking Boots for Women?

We would love to hear what you thought of it - good, bad or indifferent. Perhaps you simply disagree with our verdict - or feel we've neglected an important feature.

Let us know by clicking this link - What I think of Raichle MT Trail XT GTX Walking Boots for Women - so we can publish your important views below.

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• Have had a pair of these for just over 3 years now, and they get used weekly- in the winter for jaunts across the lakes, and in the summer for local rambling and more adventurous dog walking.

My previous boots have included Meindls and Zamberlans - normally in the £150-£200 range. I look after my boots and expect them to last - my Meindls are 8 years old and very very comfy- but a bit light for winter wear.

Purchased these as a stable winterish boot. Initially I was very happy with these - they were comfortable straight from the box, but still moulded to your foot OK and thus improved after "breaking in". They also kept my feet relatively dry - bit of dampness, but clearly they were wicking a lot of sweat.

Problems started after about 14 months - the sides of the soles started to disintegrate. A few months later, the toe cap got bashed and permanently deformed - normally just an annoyance, but it has come away from the leather - and now has water coming through. Most annoyingly after about 2 years the seam between the sole and the upper started to leak water quite badly - not enough to make you "squelch" but enough to bring the temperature of your feet down - uncomfortably so, on the fells in winter! Since that time these boots have just been getting worse and worse, despite being meticulously cared for, they are no longer watertight, and even the tongue is starting to split.

To be fair they have been well used, and they do get abused too - I am over 21 stone so they are getting some pressure put on them. On the other side, both the Zamberlans and Meindls have held up far far better despite being older.

In conclusion, very disappointed with the quality, although the design seems good. Wouldn't buy again.

James Pugh, Tadley