Comparative review
Woodland Ranger Pete Macfarlane and Mountaineering Instructor Kirsty Pallas put their best foot forward in a wide range of winter footwear
CHOOSING WINTER BOOTS can be confusing. There’s a bewildering choice of materials, associated hardware and rating systems – and sometimes no rating system at all!
Some of the boots in this review are dedicated winter walking boots. They are designed to perform on steep ground, snow and ice, and abrasive rock, during hours of crampon use and in low temperatures. They will typically be very protective, stiff both in the sole and the upper, reliably waterproof and have good crampon compatibility. These are usually referred to as a B2 or a B3 boot and would be overkill for summer hillwalking.
Other boots in this review are perhaps better described as ‘4-season’ – they can be used comfortably all year round in the mountains, and with some adapting of techniques and careful crampon choice they should be equally at home in the winter hills. They will generally be more flexible for wearer comfort and will often come with either a B1 or B0 rating.
The ‘B rating’ number relates to stiffness, and a matching crampon rating. A C2 crampon should match a B2 boot well, but not a B1 – the crampon might be too stiff. B3 boots are exceptionally stiff, often used for high-altitude or ice climbing, and as such fall outside our remit here.
So far, so good – but now it gets confusing. A B0 boot will not have been designed for crampon compatibility, but there are some lightweight crampons that should fit. But not all boots carry a Brating from the manufacturer – in which case, we’ve noted this in our reviews.
What’s good to look for in all winter footwear, regardless of ratings? Generally, we’re after a durable upper. We want a more aggressive sole that will dig securely into snow, slush and mud. And yes, check crampon fit too – it’s a big added expense if your old crampons don’t fit your new boots. But above all, try the boots on in the shop. Take your time and walk around in them, and borrow a rucksack in the shop to get some weight on your feet. Fit is always the first and most important consideration. Photo credit: James Roddie
