Hi-Tec Rapidtrail Ultra WPi boot

Get your kit in order for autumn weather with a pair of the ultimate lightweight waterproof hiking boots

Product

Hi-Tec Rapidtrail Ultra WPi boot

Promise

Lightweight boot with waterproofing technology that protect your feet from the wettest weather

Performance

Hi-Tec have gone all-out in their enthusiasm for an intelligent waterproofing technology that repels moisture totally. (You can see just how all-out by checking their brilliant viral movie here) From the look of this boot, you’d imagine it to be leaky as hell: it’s got several fabric panels, a wealth of stitching and seams and is extremely light on the foot. In reality, it’s a bucket of a boot, one you can paddle and wade in without fear of soggy feet.

The fabric you see is endowed with ion-mask tech: basically a molecular coating that sticks to the fabric at a micro level and turns it hydrophobic. Because it’s such a fine coating, you’d never notice from the look and feel of the materials, and the boot retains a breathable feel too.

Aside from this magic coating, the materials are great: this design incorporates the other big news from Hi-Tec, the combination of lightweight, high-performance materials and weight-saving design they’ve dubbed V-Lite. This boot feels more like a sneaker on your feet, the major difference being the chunky, solid heel and a front sole with grips like a Yorkie bar. Thanks to Vibram rubber and a semi-rigid toecap, this boot can take some serious punishment from rocks before you feel a thing – and the lightweight structure means you can go longer, and harder.

Verdict

An awesome boot that will see you through the autumn and winter adventures without difficulty – and with a pocketable price tag too.