Meet the reviewer
Salewa Ortles Ascent: first impression
On first glance, the Salewa Ortles Ascent Mid Gore-Tex hiking boots for women look like a sort of slick, suede Land Rover, capable of handling all kinds of terrain. As svelte hiking boots that offer semi-crampon compatibility, they’re a robust, durable and stiff mountaineering boot that can be used throughout summer and winter.
Support-wise, the Salewa Ortles Ascent boots are probably one of the sturdiest and most supportive hiking boots out there, combining technologies found in Salewa’s approach shoes and climbing shoes along with high-level mountaineering design research.
• List price: $399.95 (US) / £355 (UK)
• Drop: 11mm / ½in (heel stack height: 35mm / 1 3/8 in, toe stack height: 24mm / 1in)
• Outsole: Vibram Alpine Guide
• Upper: 2.0-2.2mm suede leather, 3F system with steel cables, nylon (PA) elastic gaiter, protective TPU rand
• Weight: 550g / 19oz
• Colors: Black / Red Syrah
• Compatibility: Climbing, mountaineering, trekking
The boots are sturdy and durable on the outer thanks to Salewa’s 3F System, which uses steel cables to provide structural support. The use of natural materials such as suede offers a bit of stiffness and a reinforced rand gives structural support around the front toe bed. From the soles right to the top lacing, there are layers of support for the foot throughout. Starting at the bottom of the shoe, a stiff nylon carbon fiberglass insole ensures the footbed provides additional support. This is then layered with a dual density, expanded polyurethane midsole, providing additional stability. Finally, extra footbed spacers help you adjust the volume of the boot in case your foot is particularly small.
Salewa Ortles Ascent: on the trails
I tested the Salewa Ortles Ascent boots while walking Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast path in northern England. During long days over rough mountainous terrain I found the support offered was far better than that given by my lightweight hiking boots. The 3D lacing helped keep my foot in place and stopped my feet from sliding around while also cinching the boot to my foot.
It took me some time to wear in the Salewa Ortles Ascent boots, as they are stiff straight out of the box. What really impressed me was the incredible Gore-Tex Insulated Comfort membrane which kept many layers of mud and bog from penetrating inside. I liked how high the boots went, and with a stretch gaiter to keep moisture and snow from entering over the cuff, the membrane was pretty good at keeping my feet dry as well as warm.
The grip on the soles was great for giving me confidence when negotiating steep mountainous terrain in all weathers, when walking down scrambly, slippery rock as well as across wet, boggy peat. They might not suit everyone – some people will prefer a lighter boot with less stiffness in the sole and mid sole – but as someone with recurring injuries from pronating ankles, I really appreciated the considered design and the customizable approach Salewa has brought to the Ortles. It also offers users the chance to layer the footbed with the Multi Fit Footbed Plus.
Salewa Ortles Ascent: support
When I’m going down the trail, I often find my feet starting to move around and provide additional stressors on my ankles. With a tendency for ankles to roll outwards, I often find that I need a high ankle support on my boots. The Ankle Protector system on the Ortles Ascent hiking boot uses a thermoformed material heel cuff to provide a cushioned shape and hold the ankle in place. Meanwhile, the rear flex collar at the back of the foot helps with rear ankle flexion. This means the boot moves when the ankle needs the flexibility but prevents the foot from spraining or going over the ankles.
Salewa Ortles Ascent: grip
One of the things to look out in mountaineering boots is durable lugs that don’t wear out. On the Salewa Ortles Ascent boots, the Vibram Alpine Guide sole unit is designed to provide decent grip even when the temperature drops – that’s thanks to aggressive lugs that are ‘self-cleaning’, meaning they don’t hold onto clumps of mud. With a climbing toe-like profile at the front, they can also be used for high edging performance when mixed conditions demand it.
