Expensive they may me (at a quite eye-watering £195.41) but you get what you pay for with the rugged, waterproof and fantastically comfortable Aotea GTX® boot from Hanwag.
Review Hanwag Aotea boots
Product description: “Multifunctional, very flexible women’s shoe made from
high-end materials, with the new MICHELIN® V-ROUGH technology and a very comfortable sole construction for long walks in the woods and everyday winter use.”
In icy climates: Hanwag’s Aotea is a bit of posh in the winter boot world. It’s crafted with nothing but the best materials, including nubuck leather, a Gore-Tex waterproof lining and Michelin (yep, like the tyres) rubber soles, which makes it, unsurpisingly, very effective in freezing temperatures. Grippy soles keep you safe on ice and snow, the high ankle and laces make the boots feel supportive on uneven ground and they’re very warm, meaning you can stay out in the white stuff for longer. My only issue is that the ankle openings are rather wide, which mean in deep snow you might end up with soggy socks if you aren’t wearing gaiters.
Hiking happy: The main reason I rate the Aotea is that it’s very versatile. The boots work well as winter hiking boots when you’re tackling long distances as well as for use as snow boots because they’re warm yet very breathable. They feel fantastic to wear, too – tough as nails, yet light and flexible. The Aoteas are available in sensible black and brown, plus a gorgeous honey colour I’d probably only recommend if you aren’t planning on getting them too muddy.
Verdict: A sensible, long-lasting option if you fancy spluring on a snow boot that doubles up as a great winter hiking boot. Saving your pennies? Try Sorel’s Winter Carnival.
