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Hey all

My old Hi-Tec Altitudes are starting to show the end of their days. They weren't good boots to start with, but they've seen me through many hikes without problem. However I have a 8 or 9 day Drakensberg hike ahead of me and I don't want to run into footwear trouble halfway!

I came across the Adidas Super Trekking Formotion Gore-Tex boots in Cape Union Mart, which is on clearout promotion. They felt really good, but I'm not so sure about durability. They look sturdy, but they have stitching all over, something that always bothers me.

Any opinions on Adidas boots? Or stitching and Gore-Tex in general? Some allege that Gore-Tex is a marketing stunt and that it makes no sense to layer Gore-Tex under leather.

Hey Gollum, long time no hear.

Goretex works well, in boots though you have to ensure that you remove any small pieces of grit as it can damage the lining. However you would likely do that at the end of each hike anyway. I have never had stitching go on a boot so i would not think that is to much of an issue. The only review i found was here, but it was for an old model boot. www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages.asp?dt=1&UTN=3128 I also found this from an adidas pdf -'while Reinhold Messner, famed climber and mountaineer, will serve as brand ambassador for SuperTREKKING'.

I don't think he would back a lemon.

I have had some interesting thoughts recently about using very light boots. I looked at the Salomon Men's Cosmic 4D GTX Boots (here : www.capeunionmart.co.za/get_it/category/default.php?fk_category_id=26). This got me thinking about using even lighter trail running shoes for summer berg trips. The speedcross 2 is about R1199. Yes, you don't have the ankle support...but if you are a light, fit person, then the idea of sacrificing support for weight (these weigh next to nothing and have a super sticky sole), is quite appealing. (compared to my leather La Sportiva's). They may not last as long but then again...they may. I see these guys running over rugged terain in the X-Terra type events and my thinking is that I may be stuck in the "must have heavy leather boots" mindset, whereas newer technologies now allow us to use much lighter trail running shoes. Obviously I'm not talking about Winter summit trips...any one else thinking similar thoughts?

Hey!

Go to seven sumits and have a look at their La Sportiva's (Ranging from R1.5k to 2.3k). Rano bought a pair of La Sportiva's before our Cathedral trip from Drifters and he is very satisfied.

Tjorts
III

@Digz - I've used trail runners in the berg a number of times... especially useful when you're undertaking a lightweight, speedy, long-distance traverse

However, if it snows, you will suffer... And I have sprained my ankle wearing trail runners in the berg before, so you need to concentrate on your foot placement a lot more.

My choice of whether to wear trail runners or boots comes down to season, daily distances planned and passes to be used. Trail runners on Icidi Pass would not be my idea of fun!

Since you are planning to haul your normal hiking gear + trad climbing gear up the mountain I would argue that proper support is a necessity, not a luxury. Thus I would suggest boots. Furthermore I am still not confident about fabric's ability to endure the type of shrubbery regularly encountered and feel that leather is more durable.

On a light summer/spring trip trail runners can be a good idea, especially when you use a type that dries out easily.