Gateway1 Staika Armortex 9 Boots

The new Staika boots from Gateway1 are a venture into the leather walking/hunting boot world. The Armortex Kevlar construction, alongside the 2.4mm full grain Nubuck leather, stands up to rips and tears easily, shrugging off those annoying rips that can destroy a boot in a single misplaced footstep. They are lined with Sympatex G1 memory fit membrane, which has the feel of an air-filled light foam, yet resists compression, and with a mesh surface, enhances breathability. The memory foam footbed has two insole designs supplied for your preferred choice of fit and feel, and both maintain arch support and cushioning underfoot. The Sympatex membrane is 100% waterproof (which has been appreciated this very wet summer) and the Armortex is also impervious to water itself.

Comfort
The soles are rated to grip from -45ºC to +30ºC and they have felt sure-footed over wet rocks and roots, which always seem to snag easily. Thermal comfort is rated down to -10ºC, which is suitable for UK winters, and at the other end, I haven’t felt them to be over hot through the summer and the odd 30ºC days. The back of the heel is cushioned to protect your Achilles and there are eight pairs of metal lacing eyelets with a locking hook at No5/ankle height.

Staika boots are built tough for the winter, yet somewhat contrary to the looks, remain very comfortable and tactile. Whether it is because Gateway just makes boots that fit my feet, I have yet to fault the manufacturing standards of any of the rubber boots and feel it unlikely the Staikas will be any different. I appreciate the stiff walls for ankle support, yet the construction pattern seems to maintain a stiffer feel, especially on the front of your ankle where the lace loops are, without excess bulk. This allows you to step in quickly without having to tediously unthread too many lace loops across wrinkled soft leather. Walking comfort has been excellent, no water has yet intruded, and the wide lugged tread design clears mud quickly.

Support
The 9” tall model is great for maximising ankle support, but a 7” version will soon be available for a slightly lighter feel. My size 45/11 weigh in at 970-grams each, give or take the odd speck of mud. The Armortex and lining rise to 6.5” within the boot to maintain top-down waterproofing, yet this layer folds neatly either side of the tongue and never causes discomfort. Gateway has either been very clever or certainly extremely lucky to combine tiny details of the construction to make a boot that seems to cover all bases of comfort and remain easy to take on/off without feeling fiddly. The stitching details are discreet and there is no adhesive overspill around the rand, which has remained seamlessly bonded to the leather around the sole. I’m impressed and I know it’s not a fashion show, but I really like the looks too.