New Gear Highlight: Arc’teryx Footwear Review
This spring Arc’teryx has rolled out a collection of hiking boots and approach shoes.
Canadian brand Arc’teryx has been making jackets, backpacks and more for 26 years and has over time become one of the elite outdoor brands highly regarded for quality and design. Arc’teryx was founded in 1989 in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. So, after years of producing high quality outerwear, they roll out their design of footwear.
What’s new at Arcteryx
The main draw of these shoes is the simple, seamless “one piece” lightweight construction. These shoes are very carefully designed paying attention to foot ergonomics and movement, emphasizing breathability, comfort and high performance with a unique inner and outer construction.
Custom Fit
The idea behind this shoe was to provide users with a full customization experience with the inner and outer parts of the shoe being two different pieces. This concept not only enhanced comfort but also climate protection.
The main difference between this line of shoes is the lack of tongue. The shoes are made in a two-part system: an inner and outer separate piece. The inner liner is designed to hug the foot. This separate, stretchable internal liner allows for a snug fit and size adaptability. It also makes the shoe more breathable and weather resistant. Because the shoe has no tongue or seams, this liner is like a slipper which eliminates pressure and hot spots.
They are available in two styles: approach shoes (the Acrux line) and hiking boots (the Bora line). There are a total of eight models available, including mens and women’s styles.
Features
Here are some of the main highlights of this line of shoes and boots.
Seamless one-piece upper. The breathable one piece upper is cut in one piece and thermo-laminated with varying thicknesses of TPU for support and abrasion resistance. Thanks to this, the shoe has a smooth, clean upper that is lightweight, durable and comfortable. Seams that often cause blisters and rubbing are eliminated with this construction.
Adaptive Fit technology: a separately manufactured inner bootie that works with the four layer laminated outer piece of the shoe to create a comfortable, snug fit and improves breathability and weather protection. Every layer provides hydrophobic properties for quick drying.
The inner liner can be removed on select models. The bonus for this is it becomes easy to clean and dry. If you’ve been hiking all day, you can remove the liner to dry which means it will dry faster than a regular boot or shoe with no removable liner.
The liner is removable and interchangeable on the Bora-squared mid GTX and Acrux-squared FL GTX models. These models also come with a pair of Gore-Tex mid liners as well.
Custom 3D molded toe and heel caps are individually crafted for each shoe size, improving fit and support, durability and protection similar to a much heavier hiking boot or shoe.
Vibram custom approach outsole features a climbing zone with additional traction groves. The soles on these shoes are made from sticky and high quality Vibram, which is perfect for rock. There are two different specific kinds of soles – a climbing sole for the approach shoe, which is designed to be used on rock, and a trekking sole, designed for trail hiking and backpacking, that comes on the hiking boots.
Heel and toe bumpers are special three-dimensional custom moulded rubber inserts laminated on the heel and toe of the shoe or boot increasing structural integrity.
Watch the video that explains the ideas that drove the design of the footwear.
Styles available
There are two main styles of shoes available: approach shoes and hiking boots.
Traverse: hiking boots
The Ascent line hiking boots are made for hiking and backpacking and have a special sole made specifically for trekking. There is the Bora mid and mid GTX model for men and the Bora GTX for women. There is also a Bora-squared model that is available only for men.
Ascent: Approach shoes
There are three different kinds of shoe the Acrux-squared FL GTX, Acrux FL GTX, and Acrux FL approach shoes. They are both available in mens and women’s sizes, except for the Acrux-squared model, which is only available for men.
Reviews
It’s a very impressive shoe with a very unique design. It’s highly recommended for anyone looking for a durable, light and comfortable shoe. The inner liner has a custom feel.
The shoes and boots work best with thin or medium-thickness socks, as the fit is too snug with thick socks. The shoe is very breathable. The space between the shell and liner promotes airflow.
More from Arc’teryx
Want more reviews of Arc’teryx products? Read our Stingray Gore-Tex pant review and the Alpha LT jacket review.
Where to Buy
For the best prices on Arc’teryx footwear, check out our outdoor gear price checker.
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