SCARPA ZG Trek GTX
Best stability
Our take When the going got rough, we reached for the ZG Trek. Its over-the-ankle cuff is the highest in test, which we appreciated while wearing heavy packs and fighting rocks and roots on Connecticut’s 24-mile Mohawk Trail. A grid of denser material on the sides of the boot’s suede upper creates an exoskeleton that adds stability under big loads; this design provides additional support without adding a lot of weight. “These boots held my ankles in place and prevented toe bashing on a steep descent down Mt. Liberty,” said one New Hampshire tester.
The details A stiff, nylon insole adds bonus protection underfoot (though it might take some getting used to), while a TPU toecap wards off rocks. The PU midsole is built for long miles and years of use under a heavy pack.
Trail cred “I tromped up a steep stream in the White Mountains, and these boots held me upright even over uneven rocks covered with flowing water,” our New Hampshire tester says.