Gear of the Week: Mammut Kento High GTX
This boot excels in technical terrain.
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Our take Tackling steep trails under a heavy pack can be a treacherous endeavor, but our testers felt secure whenever they put on the Kento High GTX. “The low-profile Michelin outsole proved nimble on 45-degree hills on the 28-mile Cape Chignecto Loop in Nova Scotia,” one tester says. “Even though I was carrying 40 pounds, the boots provided all the support I needed and they never got in the way, even when I was scrambling.” She also praised the moderately stiff, 3-inch leather cuff for providing addition security under the load. Tradeoff: price.
The details River crossings crossings never compromised warmth or dryness thanks to the Kento High’s Gore-Tex membrane, but our testers quickly overheated in summer temps. A welt on the heel means you can outfit the Kento High with hybrid crampons for more technical ascents. Note: A slim last means those with wider feet should check fit.
Trail cred “The reinforced rubber rand that circles the entire foot warded off extra bumps and bruises from rocks on the trail,” our Nova Scotia tester reports.
$250; 2 lbs. 8 oz. (m’s 7.5); m’s 7.5-14, w’s 5.5-10