Gear

Last year I ditched traditional walking boots and went over to the other side - lightweight running shoes in the shape of Inov-8 Roclite 318's.  They have done well walking locally in the Chiltern but recently, in very bad weather in Wales, they let me down.  After an hour walking in heavy rain across mountainous terrain my feet were soaked.

I am now looking again at lightweight mountain boots - there are so many.  My question is this:

Has anyone out there got a pair of Solomon Cosmic 4D GTX Hiking Boots and are they any good?  Would it seem like going back to clumpy boots if I bought some?

And any other lightweight boot suggestion would be really appreciated.

 David

will they fit you? Impossible to say. They could be the best boots in the world and be totally useless if they don't fit your feet. On lightweight boots in general, I have Asolo Matrix Flames, which are gorgeous, but useless if you can't handle that medium-to-narrow last. Find something that fits.

On the Inov8, by the way, I wouldn't call that a failure, not unless water was actually going straight through the upper, in which case it really is a failure, in which case you should go through their returns process. 

On any "waterproof" shoe, since water can just go straight over the top if the weather is bad (if you step in a bog, water running down off your trousers), wearing a quick-drying sock (typically a proper merino sock with a high wool-to-nylon ratio) is vital, I can tell you that from experience. Although I am rather curious to see how these x-bionic socks perform...

A great boot overall, but a bad decision on Salomon's behalf to use EVA for the midsoles instead of PU - the PU would filter out stones etc a bit better.  Lightweight, need very little breaking in.  Also, leather thin and easily nicked/scratched - good thing these boots have a good toe rand.  The outsole offers good grip and long wear.  Definitely waterproof, and overall breathe pretty well - I wore mid-weight socks in them all summer and did not find my feet overheating.  I usually get very hot and sweaty feet. Stock insoles comfy but have no arch support (basically flat), so use aftermarket insoles for support if you need arch support. I bought a US 10.5 but should have bought the 11, as I realised later they are a bit tight in the in-step and fore-foot for me with the heavier sock and a superfeet orange insole.  Lace locks at the instep are fantastic.  Good ankle support.

Overall i'd give them a 4 out of 5.  Being a bit expensive, if they cost 20% less, I'd give them a 4.5 or 5.

Tony Bulmer wrote (see)

I have just returned from a weeks walking and climbing in the cairngorms where the conditions were less than favourable for my Salomon cosmics. Although a very comfortable and lightweight boot they struggled with trekking across the snow on the higher terrain. In less than two hours my socks and feet were completely soaked. I guess that as great as these Goretex boots are, they cannot cope with being constantly subjected to being used in the snow.

never had any luck with gore tex lined footwear, don't understand why the bother doing it to be honest, marketing bolx i s'pose

Rocky gore tex socks, however, are a revelation  

My cosmics are on the way back to France under warranty as the black material around the toe area is fraying badly!! used only 5 - 6 times, no crampons, just walking through a variety of Scottish terrain.

 There is an obvious tear starting at the join between the black and red material where a crease has formed as the toe flexes when I step. A bit disapointed as apart from this they have been extremely comfy and water tight.