May have hit gold: Raven Combi GTX

[tater]

I had the rare chance this week to be in a place where i could spend a couple of hours actually trying on boots in person. So, with socks and insoles in hand i spent the time to the max.
After trying on six different pairs and walking the rock ledge/incline boards in one store, i left feeling pretty disappointed. HanWags, La Sportivas, and Scarpas all failed to fit so i stumbled into a smaller store around the corner.

I tried on a pair of Salewa's and it was an immediate difference. Twenty minutes of toe kicks/incline board and rock ledge i was convinced they were winners.

Light weight, stiff soles (to accomodate a wrecked ankle) and no heel slip made me drop the coin.
An hour tonight hammering through the snow up behind my house with my training pack on has convinced me it was a good call.

Now to see how durable they are over the next year. Even if they become leakers the fit is worth it.
For those that are curious, i have narrow heels with an average width fore foot and high arches. Stiff soled boots have always been a tough fit.

 

[Tiger Rag]

I picked up a pair of the Salewa mountain trainers the other day and I'm really liking them so far. Have eyeballs the ravens and like what I see. Haven't heard much about them but I think Aron had a pair for a while. Keep us posted on how they work for you.

 

[ScottP]

I also just picked up a pair of Salewa Mid Mountain Trainer GTX. Really like them so far, been on maybe 4 mountain grouse hunts now. Doing a little pre-blizzard elk hunt tomorrow AM with a friend who's kid has a youth cow tag. See how they perform in wet and snow. Hope the durability is as good as my last pair of Asolo (which the Salewa replaced).

I'm curious, did you try on the Rapace? Wondering how the Raven fits compared to that.

 

[tater]

I'm curious, did you try on the Rapace? Wondering how the Raven fits compared to that.

Scott, they didn't have the Rapace in stock, so i'm not sure as to fit versus the Ravens.
I now have more miles on these boots, and am now sure that they are EXACTLY what i was looking for. As always, boots are a really personal fit.

 

[Slim Jim]

I have the Salewa Rapace gtx and absolutely LOVE them. My feet never feel fatigued and no hot spots. Very lightweight, roomy toe box and a great heel cup fit with a stiff sole. These boots are as close to perfect as I have found for what I need.
If the Ravens fit anything like the Rapace then I would recommend them to anyone.

 

[Wrench77]

I've also been running the mountain trainers for a couple months and I have been very impressed so far. Last week I picked up the snow trainers for a little extra warmth on winter hikes and they seem great also. The Rapace will be completely redesigned for 2015 and I plan on picking up those in the spring when they come out.

 

[Ironman8]

I picked up a pair of the Mountain Trainers and they really do feel great. Slightly stiffer than my Fugitives but definitely lighter. Only thing I'm not sure of yet is how breathable they are. First time I wore them it seemed like my feet sweat more than usual. Any other opinions there?

 

[Tiger Rag]

Anybody else have a VERY strong smell on their Salewa's out of the box. I've hosed mine down pretty good with Scent Killer but they still emit a strong chemical/manufacturing type odor. Hopefully it'll wear off pretty quick. I haven't gotten any dirt on them yet so hopefully it'll go away once I hit a trail with them.

 

[Tiger Rag]

So I couldn't get the scent out of my Mountain Trainers so I sent them back and got a pair of Raven's in return. I'm liking them so far. Light weigh, reasonably stiff sole. Seem to be about the right combination for me. Wish the colors were more subdued, but as long as the fit is good (which seems to be so far), I can deal with the yellow and red trim.

 

[ScottP]

Scott, they didn't have the Rapace in stock, so i'm not sure as to fit versus the Ravens.
I now have more miles on these boots, and am now sure that they are EXACTLY what i was looking for. As always, boots are a really personal fit.

Thanks. Glad to hear you're enjoying the boots. My mountains have gotten a few serious workouts the past month or two and also liking them. Looking forward to spring bear and turkey to really put them to multi-day testing.

 

[ScottP]

So I couldn't get the scent out of my Mountain Trainers so I sent them back and got a pair of Raven's in return. I'm liking them so far. Light weigh, reasonably stiff sole. Seem to be about the right combination for me. Wish the colors were more subdued, but as long as the fit is good (which seems to be so far), I can deal with the yellow and red trim.

Weird. There was no odor on my MTs.