Alpina Boots review - Danny Bajt
Undoubtedly the very best backpacking style boots are made in Europe. Healthy competition between the brands exists due to the popularity of trekking in Europe. Your probably familiar with the better know brands, well I’ve just discovered another lesser known brand that can easily compete with the big boys.
Alpina are a small company based in Slovenia that have been hand crafting a range of footwear for over 60 years and they currently supply the Slovenian Army.
The boots I’ve been testing are the Alpina Peak boots. I need to make it clear these boots are designed for steep terrain work in an alpine environment carrying a backpack and so these boots are stiff with little torsion properties, as they should be. Having said that I’ve been testing the boots in hilly goat country with a light backpack and they have been excellent and I have not had a single blister.
These boots are packed with features that you would expect from a top quality European boot.
To start they use Vibram soles that have an aggressive treat pattern with big lugs to aid traction and help remove mud and snow etc. The soles also have additional lips at the ends of the sole making them crampon compatible. This last feature is particularly useful for those wishing to hunt in the alpine regions of New Zealand where you can expect snow and ice any time of the year.
The boots also have a rubber rand that stops the boots heal and toe area from getting torn up as well as providing additional water resistance. This rand extends well past the toe area and down the sides of the boot.
These boots ready bit into the side of the mountains that we tested them in and never even looked like slipping, this sure footedness gave me greater confidence to tackle country I would normally hesitate at such was the grip.
The lacing system is based on ball bearing eyelets and are easy to tighten. The eyelets extend well down towards the toes give you flexibility to adjust them to your liking. I noticed one occasion I’d tighten them too much across the instep of my feet creating a bit of discomfort but that was my fault as I tighten them too much.
These boots have an all leather upper that is double stitched both are good signs of quality.
Above the heel there is a Flex Zone this is designed to relieve the load off the back of the heel when walking up steep inclines and releases pressure on the Achilles tendon making walking up hill easier.
The Peak boot is built with a water-resistant membrane called SympaTex this membrane helps keep feet dry and well ventilated.
The full one piece tongue also helps keep water out of the boots so the only way water can get to your feet is when they are fully submerged.
Conclusion
From day one I’ve never had a blister. I’ve now hunted in them for 14 full days in some rough country and have given me outstanding grip and protection.
I tested the boots in warm and cold conditions and my feet always felt comfortable.
Sidling across mountain faces my ankles were always supported with no internal heel movement or torsional twisting.
There weight is surprisingly light considering what they are built for and I look forward to my NZ trip on the tahr and chamois.
As I mentioned the only discomfort I felt was due to incorrectly tightening my boots, not the boots themselves.
If your in the market for an alpine specific boot you’ll be flat out trying to find a better boot, in a word they are awesome. If your looking for a boot with a bit more give then have a look at Alpina’s other boots for example the Tibet, Yukon and Hunter, go to http://www.alpina.si/en/izdelki/sport_08_09/trekking/
