From the minute they were ordered online to the day I picked them up from the post office I just couldn't wait to get these boots on my feet and see if they were truly a 4 season boot. A 4 season boot is the master of all trades. It is the builder who can put in the footings,build the shell,put in the electrics,gas and plumbing and put the roof on. That said does the builder excel in all areas or would I be better off employing the best in each trade?
I couldn't have recieved my AKU Edge GTX at a better time. Helvellyn was covered in virgin snow and the approaches from the "hole in the wall" were covered to a depth of 6-8" on the trails. Move off trail and you could expect a thigh deep wade.
Straight from the box the boot felt stiff under foot and from the car park at Glenridding to the first sight of Helvellyn the high padded tongue took some getting used to. The toe box was so spacious and the fit was excellent. I soon got used to the rock of the heel to toe motion and with a snug fitting woolen sock blisters were not on the menu. Wading through the snow the boots were frequently swamped but throughout my feet stayed as warm as two toated crumpets. With ice underneath the snow making the going slower than usual I frequently used a side on motion especially on the steeper inclines. The grip was superb and with a good foot anchor I was able to shuffle up those slippy slopes with ease. I came across a few streams and rather than use stepping stones I decided to wade through and test out the goretex lining. No wet feet! Incredible if that had of been my goretex Merrells, as much as I love them for sheer comfort, my feet would have been soaked and consequently freezing cold for the rest of the ascent. Not so with the AKU the high rubber rand together with the goretex inner just brushed that water aside as had moses many years before.
Alas the weather closed in and the snow became so thick the visibility was appalling. As I arrived at the base of Swirral Edge I decided that, as I had neither crampons or ice axe, it would be slightly foolhardy to attempt the summit,new boots or not!
I made a quick ascent of Catstye Cam and descended via the "hole in the wall."
The descent was so comfortable with the extra height of the Edges supporting my ankles I could concentrate solely on the pain in my knees!
I conclude that AKU Edge GTX boots could certainly be used as a 4 season boot and considering that these were fresh out of the box I am more than happy with them. However, during the spring, summer and autumn periods I would much prefer a lighter boot. Its early days yet and the boots still have to be worn in properly but if you were to ask me to recommend a multi trade builder I would have to say that although he would do the job very well a single skilled tradesman is an expert in his field and performs a specific job.
(Written by: Ullswater)