Ridgeline Arapahoe Boots

Ridgeline Clothing from New Zealand offers a huge selection of attire for the hunter and outdoorsmen, yet it’s only more recently that their boots have also been seen the UK. So, while once they had the Warrior EXP and Cam-Lite, you can now add to that list the uniquely named Arapahoes.

Nature green camo and olive

Measuring 8” at the front and dropping to 6” at the rear of the well-padded collar, these mid-height boots are constructed from a combination of 900 denier Nylon with a camo outer and a high-quality olive green coloured Nubuck Leather. Incidentally, the camo is known as Nature Green, or to be exact the full colouration being termed Nature Green Camo and Olive. But I digress, as it’s immediately apparent that the design layout of the materials is what adds strength and support.

The Nubuck wraps around the ankle, heel, diagonally at the mid-side sections, down the front from upper to the rand, the latter strengthening the side lacing points and of course it can be seen to fully cover the instep. More protection is given via a semi-rigid, black rubber, toe cap which is double stitched (as are all seams) over and onto the front.

Mixed materials

This mix of materials also results in the Arapahoes being relatively light in weight, plus the use of camo and the colour of Nubuck gives them a stylish, yet hunter-practical appearance. They have a waterproof membrane and Thinsulate inner to ensure breathability, and also to gain extra protection from the elements. At the rear there’s a generous to modest rubber rand for all-round lower protection and support prior to its meeting the hi-performance Vibram outsole. There’s also a front toe buffer and a recess at the very rear of the chunky outsole for ease of removal and a slight heel and toe rise. The footbeds are particularly well-padded with Gel Insoles, which help give a nice cushioned feel as you walk.

The Arapahoes feature an XS Trek Vibram outsole, which is often referred to as being a market leader when it comes to performance and durability. This has been specifically designed to offer outstanding grip and 360º traction. The design uses multitraction lugs, which enhance grip where and when needed, making it perfect for a wide variety of terrain, including mud, rocky areas and climbing. Also, while the generous amount of cleats and lugs are very thick and deep-set, due to the overall configuration it still allows for easy cleaning.

Got you covered

The well-padded camo tongue is complimented by a practical lacing system that consists of four pairs of metal eyelets and two sets of speed hooks at the top, all of which are weather proofed. Combined with the articulated padded tongue, the boots have a wide throat, therefore getting into and out of them is a quick and easy affair. As mentioned at the start of this test, Ridgeline might not have a vast selection of footwear, but considering the options now available, they’ve pretty much got your feet covered for a wide variety of hunting and outdoor situations.