If you're interested in the race where I tested them, you can read about it here: Striker Challenge race report 

What the downhills reveal

On a climb with a heavy pack, I usually know exactly what I shouldn't have packed. On the descent, the soles of my feet get acquainted with the contents as well. What I liked about the M-TAC Shooter was that, despite feeling light on my feet, it still provided cushioning with every loaded step. For me, that worked well with a pack weighing roughly 20–22 kilograms. That's as far as I'll go in judging it: on my own feet, with my own stride, on the hills and descents where I've actually worn it.

The mid-height collar gave my ankles good support. The boots are easy to lace up, and I could quickly adjust how snugly they held my feet. There is, however, a small confession to make about comfort. I found the stock insoles too basic, so I replaced them. When I say these boots were comfortable even with a heavy pack, my verdict therefore includes the experience of walking with my own insoles.

A cikk folytatódik a hirdetés után...

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For the upper of the Coyote-coloured model 30809005, M-TAC uses polyester mesh, suede leather and thin TPU reinforcement. Underfoot, two different materials do two different jobs. A layer of Phylon foam cushions the impact of each step, while a rubber outsole makes contact with the ground. The officially stated weight is 840 grams per pair. That's useful to know, but what tells me more is that I chose the very same pair for an obstacle race and a multi-day trek with a loaded pack.

The rock stays put; the mud comes away

If I had to sum up the Shooter's grip in a single box on a scorecard, I'd struggle. It gripped rock well, even when wet. I particularly appreciated that, because on rock you tend to discover a sole's shortcomings sooner than its strengths. The manufacturer highlights the extra little ridges, or sipes, on the outsole lugs. How much of that performance comes from the rubber compound and how much from the tread, I couldn't tell you while heading downhill. What I can say is that I trusted the boots on the wet rock I encountered. They also held up well in Slovenian mud and on slippery roots.

In deep mud and deep sand, however, the boots started to spin and slip. You push off, the outsole takes a respectable chunk of hillside along with it, and your body makes rather less forward progress than the effort seemed to deserve. Both experiences can be true at once. On wet rock, the contact between rubber and stone is what matters. On loose ground, the surface layer itself can shift beneath your feet. If my next course consisted mainly of deep mud, I'd look for a more aggressive tread. Even from a design perspective, I'd favour slightly deeper, more aggressive lugs, as long as they didn't compromise the boot's lightweight feel.

When the water gets in

The M-TAC Shooter Mid isn't waterproof; water will get through, and it doesn't pretend otherwise. It's worth knowing that in advance, especially if the word 'boot' makes you assume your socks will stay dry. This model has no waterproof membrane, and M-TAC classifies it as summer footwear. I would happily call it a three-season boot, because alongside its good ventilation, it performs well during vigorous movement.

For me, the more interesting part of the story began after the boots were already wet. Throughout summer and autumn use, they dried remarkably quickly. Most recently, in the Börzsöny Mountains, they were dry by the following day after six hours of rain, even though we were bivouacking with hardly any decent drying facilities. After three multi-day treks, I value that quality at least as much as their low weight in a race. At a finish line, you can change your footwear. On an adventure trek, you're putting the same pair back on the next morning.

Different feet, different verdicts

One of the most interesting verified-purchase reviews on the retailer's website describes a four-day military training exercise. The wearer found the Shooter comfortable throughout and reported no pressure points or blisters. I can back that up from my own experience: not a single blister, not even the beginnings of one, over those few hundred kilometres.

There is one caveat to add to my own experience on rocky ground: under heavier loads, I could sometimes feel sharp stones through the comfortable, soft sole. Just because the rubber grips a wet rock surface nicely doesn't mean the sole won't feel too flexible for someone walking along a trail littered with sharp, pointed stones.

A cikk folytatódik a hirdetés után...

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Recommendations and verdict

  +   what I liked 

• extremely comfortable

• lightweight

• quick-drying

• excellent across a wide range of terrain

• lacing system

• breathability

• materials

  -   what I didn't like 

• performance in deep mud

• the outsole could have a slightly more aggressive tread

  *   suggested upgrade

• insoles - I replaced mine, but it's really only necessary if you're hiking with a heavier load

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M-TAC Shooter Mid boot review score: 4.35

RATING

TERRAIN PERFORMANCE

 

Where would I wear them again? On a fast-paced adventure trek in summer, spring or early autumn, with rock, climbs, long descents and a properly loaded backpack. I'd also wear them for an obstacle race such as the Striker Challenge, where you have to run, climb and carry loads. I'd use them on wet terrain when moving quickly, but for deep mud or heavy snow I'd reach for a different pair. I'd definitely replace the stock insoles if you plan to carry heavier loads. After all those kilometres together, at least that's one decision I no longer have to think about when packing.

Tóth Viktor, szerkesztő