{"id":3097,"date":"2017-12-07T19:33:53","date_gmt":"2017-12-07T19:33:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kevinflint.net\/?p=3097"},"modified":"2018-06-14T01:41:52","modified_gmt":"2018-06-14T01:41:52","slug":"salewa-mtn-trainer-mid-gtx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluekeyhost.com\/kevinflint2\/salewa-mtn-trainer-mid-gtx\/","title":{"rendered":"Salewa MTN Trainer Mid GTX"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review: Salewa MTN Trainer Mid GTX Backpacking and Hiking Boot<\/strong><\/h7>
\nI have been a fan of Salewa footwear for a few years and was excited to test this boot and all its guarantees. The question is, would it hold up to the challenges? Is the MTN Trainer Mid GTX really blister free?! Does it\u2019s waterproofing hold up? Does this Salewa boot really not need to be broken-in straight out of the box? Let\u2019s find out!<\/p>\n

TESTING LOCATION AND CONDITIONS<\/strong><\/h7>
\nMT. CAMMERER – GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK:<\/h7> I put Salewa\u2019s \u201cno blister guarantee\u201d, Gore-tex waterproofing, and ease of breaking in to the test. The initial test included opening the box, putting the boots on, and taking them on about an 11.5-mile hike, under load, with nearly 3,000-feet of elevation gain and loss. The hike would include creek crossings, dry trails, muddy trails, rocky and uneven terrain, icy trails, and light snow. The hike started from Cosby Park, went to the peak of Mt. Cammerer in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park near Cosby, Tenn<\/a>. and back. Temperatures ranged from an afternoon high in the 50\u2019s in the valley in Cosby to a low of below freezing in the early morning hours at the top of Low Gap Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Mt. Cammerer Trail to the peak and fire tower. This day also included a test of the Salewa Hybrid 2 Men’s Primaloft Jacket<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ELEVATION GAIN\/LOSS<\/h7>
\nJust under 3,000-feet*<\/p>\n

GRADE<\/h7>
\n10% Average*
\n30% Max Grade*<\/p>\n

LOAD<\/h7>
\nA backpack with water, food, and random gear added for extra weight. It was approximately 20-pounds.<\/p>\n

RESULTS<\/strong><\/h7>
\nThe Salewa\u00a0Mountain Trainer Mid GTX hiking and backpacking boot held up to its guarantees! I stood in deep and icy water, high on the Gore-tex boot, for about 2-minutes with my feet staying dry and comfortable. The aggressive tread and Vibram sole handled steep and uneven terrain, roots, rocks, and creek crossings very well. They were breathable and I never felt like I needed any insulation under these conditions. The area around my toes were free, making it easy to move and expand my toes, adjust to terrain, and not receive a blister. <\/p>\n

[textbox title=’\u201cThe Salewa\u00a0Mountain Trainer Mid GTX boot is a solid waterproof boot with aggressive tread, tremendous ankle support, easily carries a heavy load, approaches well, and past all tests in areas Salewa guarantees.<\/i>\u201d’ title_color=”#2871b0″ title_fontsize=”25″ text_align=”center”][\/textbox]<\/p>\n

These boots work great for backpacking, approach trails, and a general all around hiker in a variety of conditions. After the 11.5-mile hike, I was blister free and did not have even a slight indication of a blister. My feet were dry and not hurting! Due to the stiffness in the boot, I was ready to take the boots off and stretch my feet once I had completed the hike. But, not because of pain. I could have easily worn them longer. <\/p>\n

FIT – ARE SALEWA BOOTS TRUE TO SIZE?<\/strong><\/h7>
\nSalewa MTN Trainer Mid GTX boots are true to size and a comfortable fit with room in the toes for scramble on rocks and debris.
\n• Comfortable and true to size.
\n• Room to move in the feet and easily expand your toes.<\/p>\n

UPHILL AND DOWNHILL<\/strong><\/h7>
\nThe aggressive tread climbed the 30% grade with rocks and debris with ease. A tremendous amount of ankle support made it very hard to turn an ankle and I felt secure stepping on uneven and unstable terrain. For downhill, the stiffness in the boot made the impact on knees a little more than I would like. But, that is a tradeoff of having extra support and ability to handle heavy loads.<\/p>\n

CARRYING A LOAD<\/strong><\/h7>
\nThe stiff boot, ankle support, and aggressive tread made carrying a load effortless. There was no give in the soles, or any area of the boot, when under a load. <\/p>\n

PROS<\/strong><\/h7>
\n• No break-in
\n• No blister guarantee
\n• True to fit
\n• Stiff soles makes carrying a load easy
\n• Stiff soles makes using crampons and Nano Spikes possible<\/p>\n

CONS<\/strong><\/h7>
\n• Despite the stiffness of the boot making it fantastic for carrying loads, the boot does not absorb impact as well as I would like it to. But, that is the trade off of having the support. At the end of a 3,000-foot elevation drop, the impact on my knees were more than I would have liked for it to have been.
\n• The lacing system is slightly awkward. The laces are stiff and would come untied and unhooked easily. I believe the laces will loosen with time and this will be a non-issue.<\/p>\n

OTHER NOTES<\/strong><\/h7>
\nThis boot is stiff enough to use Crampons and Nano Spikes. Crampons fit well during a quick test fitting and I used Nano Spikes on an icy area. <\/p>\n

WHERE TO BUY SALEWA BOOTS<\/strong><\/h7>
\n• Salewa\u2019s Website: Link<\/a>
\n• River Sports Outfitters: Link<\/a>
\n• Amazon.com: Link<\/a>
\n• Backcountry.com: Link<\/a>
\n• REI.com: Link<\/a><\/p>\n

ABOUT SALEWA<\/strong><\/h7>
\nSalewa is a family-owned company with exceptional products and a high standard for quality. The company, founded in 1935, has been popular in Europe and other areas for many decades. In the last few years, Salewa began introducing its footwear line in the United States. In 2017, it introduced its apparel to a select group of independent retail partners in the United States. You can visit their website at Salewa.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"Salewa<\/p>\n

*Based on figures from Mountain Project<\/a><\/p>\n