I received a pair of Mens Salomon Elios Mid GTX- Autobahn and Asphalt boots a couple of days ago to take a peek at and review. They are on special offer at the moment (at the time of writing) – a bargain price for a pair of top-branded Gore-Tex mid-height walking boots!

I was worried if ordering from an on-line store in the UK and having the shoes delivered to France would work. I was wrong to worry, they arrived safely with no fuss, and super quick too! Putting it simply, Adam at Fitness Footwear says,

“That’s not a problem, we ship to Europe all the time.”

These Salomon walking boots are extremely neat. So much so that when I look down at my feet they make them appear really small, perhaps a whole size smaller. Perhaps they are TARDIS boots?

I don’t normally wear mid height boots – sticking to approach (lower height, trainer style) shoes for most activities and full height boots for mountaineering and ice climbing. However, I have discovered a definite benefit to mid height boots. We are doing a lot of skiing at the moment in Chamonix and other alpine resorts, but in the valley and around the town on warmer days a lot of the snow can be a bit slushy. With approach shoes often the snow comes up to or over my ankles and then promptly falls down the gap between shoe and sock. Result; cold damp feet! With these mid-height boots that isn’t a problem at all due to their extra height and closer fit. Result; warm dry feet! Moreover, the Gore-Tex liner has meant they have stayed dry all day, even after a snowball fights with the kids. So, for me the effort (not really) of tying one extra loop in the laces is a benefit I hadn’t expected…

The boots are very sturdily built, easily up to the demands of mountain walking and scrambling. Or even just walking the dog!

The sole is a little surprising though. I think the tread pattern has been designed to give maximum traction forwards and backwards. That is, to drive you forwards and up-hill, and limit those little backward slips on loose or muddy ground. Sideways traction is less effective though. I have found myself slipping sideways a couple of times in the slushy snow. Nothing dangerous, just the odd little sideways motion that I didn’t anticipate.

Overall? A really neat pair of boots, brilliant for keeping the wet out with their Gore-Tex liner and slighter higher ankles (than say approach shoes or trainers). I would also expect them to provide a good level of extra ankle support for anyone with weak ankles and therefore prone to injuries.