These boots were made for walking/scrambling/hik ing* (delete as appropriate) (Salomon STF6 GTX)

Member Name: LegendaryMrDude

Product:	Salomon STF6 GTX
Date:	28/04/02 (887 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fit, Build quality, Features (in a shoe?!?!?)

Disadvantages: Price

You could be forgiven for thinking that a boot is just a boot. Indeed, for every-day use you may not be far wrong. But when it comes to hiking over all types of terrain, in all types of weather and carrying a heavy rucksack, making sure you have a decent pair of boots can make the difference between covering distances at a blistering pace and covering blisters with a medicated paste.

For the last 2 years I had been well served by a trusty pair of Merrels hiking boots. A waterproof pair (although not gore-tex and so prone to getting a bit whiffy after extended periods of use) with a good, grippy sole. Unfortunately they had just about covered their last miles. With bald patches in the tread, I was certain to be in trouble if the police pulled me over. Not to mention the fact that they no longer provided any grip in the wet and could see me half way down a mountain in super quick time if I wasn't careful. So I needed a new pair of boots for forthcoming trip to the Lake District.

They needed to be waterproof (the Lake Districty in April can get rather damp). It would be nice if they were breathable as well so Gore-Tex would be a plus. I need good arch support, and prefer something with ankle support as well. And of course, they had to look the part. My list drawn up, I hit the shops on the lookout for something that met my requirements.

I tried several boots from the likes of Merrell, Berghaus and Meindl but they all either lacked a feature or simply didn't fit properly. The last shop I visited was a Salomon dealer and they recommended that I try on the STF 6 GTX, asking me what size I was to which I replied "either an 8 or a 9 depending on the manufacturer". Coming in an attractive 'slate gray' nu-buck leather with black and red laces, they certainly looked the part. What's more they were waterproof and bore the Gore-Tex logo on the side. Things were looking good so far. I put a pair of my hiking socks on and tr
ied the boots on (no point trying hiking boots on when you're wearing ordinary socks, you'll end up with boots that are too small).

The laces tied easily and held the boot firmly but comfortably on my foot. What's more, the laces had an ingenious (well I think so at any rate) locking system which holds the bottom half of the laces tight while you loop the remainder around the open lace 'eyes' on the ankle support and tie them off. Once the boots were securely attached to my feet I took a walk around the shop. They certainly had a stiffer sole than my old Merrells but it was better shaped for the 'rocking' motion of walking. They also seemed to have a gripper sole than my old boots. The sales assistant informed me that Salomon tend to use a stickier rubber compound than most other manufacturers, so that was the extra grip accounted for. The boot itself provided just the right amount of support for both my arch and ankle. My toes were not cramped and were free to wiggle, yet held in place at the same time. Walking down the test slope in the shop, my feet didn't slip around inside the boot either.

Somewhat surprised that the first pair I should try on fit so well, I asked the assistant what size he had given me. "8-and-a-half" was the answer. Half Sizes!!!! Hurrah for common sense! This had been my problem to date, having fairly broad feet I had been finding that 8s were long enough but not wide enough, while 9s were wide enough bot too long. Not so with the half-sized Salomons, feeling somwehat like Goldilocks eating little-bears porridge, these were "just right". Money was duly handed over and a bottle of Nik-Wax thrown into the deal to make sure they stayed waterproof.

Only last week the received a baptism of fire. 50 miles of walking altogether, up mountains and over fells, around lakes and along lanes. They remained comfortable all the while. My feet stayed dry from both the outside a
nd, thanks to the Gore-Tex, the inside. I didn't fall once (touch wood) and the 'ContaGrip' soles provided reliable traction on surfaces ranging from sodden bracken to scree covered trails. The soles also show little (if any) signs of wear, which was something that had me slightly worried when the sales assistant told me the rubber used was sticker than most. They are also surprisingly light for the amount of footwear you get, weighing in at only 650g per boot for my size 8.5s (according to my kitchen scales). They were easy to clean, simply letting the mud dry and then brushing it off. Nik-Wax was applied at the beginning of the week and once again at the end, just to make sure things stayed dry.

In summary then, this is one fine pair of hiking boots. The range of sizes ( from 6.5 - 11.5 and then 12.5 nd 13.5) should mean that you can get just the right size for you. They have an excellent feature-list (for a pair of shoes!) and have proved extremely capable and comfortable so far.

Unfortunately, I am now at home again and the Lake District is but a happy memory once more. But I still have my boots and, as the song goes, they were made for walkin' so I am hoping to use them as an excuse for more holidays!

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