AKU Pilgrim High Leg Boot

The Pilgrim High Leg is a great new addition to the range of AKU professional boots offered by Trekitt Mountain Sports in Hereford.

I’ve been wearing their excellent Pilgrim and SEAL Spider models for some considerable time now, so I was very excited to hear that a new version with a higher cuff height was on the way.

Available with a Gore-Tex lining in Black and Forest MTP, and AKUs own sanifit high-wicking liner in Desert Beige, these new models are exclusive to Trekitt and have been developed from the hugely successful AKU Pilgrim which hit the market with such a bang last year.

In its Gore-Tex lined version this versatile and hugely practical boot is completely waterproof, with increased breathability and the outer is very quick drying; there’s just no point having a highly breathable boot lining if the outer fabric stays waterlogged, as this will prevent moisture dispersion from the inside. With a 3D fully taped Gore- Tex booty lining and Air 8000 uppers the Pilgrim HL GTX is 30% more breathable than conventional Gore Tex lined boots.

EVA foam cushioning offers added impact absorption and the 9-inch ankle height provides enhanced stability and support which is great if you’re carrying heavy gear or a big pack. The boots feature a locking lace hook to vary the lace tension between the lower and upper boot and three sturdy upper lace hooks to facilitate speedy lacing and quick access.

Sole Man

AKU have used a reliable and trusted Vibram sole unit with excellent grip in the black model, but have also employed a brand new brown Vibram sole unit with increased grip and enhanced shock absorption, giving the Pilgrim HL MTP Forest and Desert Beige increased comfort and control. All the new models also benefit from the IMS (Internal Midsole System) which has been specifically designed to reduce injury and enhance impact absorption when load carrying over uneven ground. Featuring 3mm of EVA cushioning above the 3D midsole this ensures that your foot is directly in contact with cushioning rather than a hard midsole. A 5mm EVA forefoot, and 17mm EVA heel cushioning take care of impact forces from hard ground. Developed with a comfortable shape with good forefoot width and secure heel grip the Pilgrim HL GTX is definitely capable of long tours and extended duties.

Guts & Gore-Tex

These new models are hugely capable and designed for purpose; there is a version of the Pilgrim HL that will mean you can be assured of a consistent fit whatever the conditions demand. I’ve been working with the great team at Trekitt for many years, and I was lucky enough to get one of the first pairs of the Pilgrim HL to arrive in the UK to have on test, and I’ve been extremely impressed from the word go. These are solid, no-nonsense boots which feel great on straight from the box. They feature some of the very best fabrics and technologies available on the footwear market, and feel as if they are just going to perform and perform. The quality of both materials and construction is absolutely first rate throughout.

Initial testing has proved the Gore-Tex lined model I received have lived up to the high-standards set by the previous AKU boot models I have owned, and the additional support of the high cuff feels very, very positive. Weighing in at just 737g per boot in UK size 9.5, this is a boot you can wear all day long. The high rand protects both the heel and toe areas extremely well, and should keep the boots looking great too. I will continue to put these through their (literal) paces, but I can already see they are going to become a valued addition to my boot room, especially during the wet months of the year!

Name: AKU Pilgrim High Leg Boot

Price: £166.50 for the unlined model and £189.00 for the Gore-Tex version