Friday, 02 May 2014 12:51

Brasher Hillmaster GTX Reviewed

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Overall View
A good all round boot for UK conditions if they fit your foot and you give them a bit of time to wear in. The Hillmaster is Britain's most popular boot for a reason. It's not radical, doesn't set any new boundaries, it just does what it's meant to do straight from the box and does it well. Classic brown leather and a proven history combine with membrane technology to give a comfortable, waterproof, classic 3 season boot.
Real World Test
It's not the first time I've used Brasher Hillmaster boots, they've been around for a long time, but it's been that long that I came to them effectively new. Although the latest incarnation of the Hillmaster looks reassuringly familiar, and classic, there's a few differences that don't take long to show. The new version is noticeably lighter than older versions and noticeably stiffer.

 

Surprisingly the Hillmaster wasn't quite as perfect out of the box as some of Brasher's more recent boots, and took a few hours to really loosen up enough, but once broken in they've been consistently comfortable. Ankle support is like ankle support used to be before the modern addiction to approach shoes and the sole unit makes walking on most terrain a pleasure.

Over the last couple of months the Peak District's had everything from sun to snow and the Hillmaster has coped admirably with everything thrown at it in terms of waterproofing and you just have to love the way leather sheds mud and peat with just a dip in water. Sinking almost up to the top in mud, peat and puddles the Goretex lining has never failed. Initially the area just below the laces is quite stiff and the heel can tend to rub but a good pair of socks can sort this out while the boot begins to adapt to your foot.

The Evalution sole is a good allrounder, giving reasonable grip on most surfaces and performing well in the peat of the western Peak District but with prolonged use on rough ground, roads and rock it's already showing signs of wear and durability may be an issue. The Hillmaster isn't designed for use with crampons and though stiff they're not stiff enough for winter use.

Overall we're a bit dubious about the amount of wear the sole can handle for a £140 boot, but if this evens out and the Hillmaster GTX fits your foot shape it's a good classic 3 season leather boot. The GoreTex membrane works predictably well in keeping the water out and your feet dry and ankle support is good. For a lined leather boot with this sort of build quality £140 is a reasonable RRP but it really is all about the fit.

 

Price: £140.00

Weight: 1328gms/pair(9)

Colour: Brown

Features:

  • 2.2-2.4mm full grain leather Nubuck cuff.
  • GORE-TEX® Performance Comfort Footwear. Full leather lining.
  • Graded 2mm 3D injected nylon insole.

 

Pros: Leather, weight, ankle support

Cons: Require breaking in, sole durability



Note: This article was restored from the archives. It's published creation date is inaccurate.

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