New Review: TNF Verbera Lightpacker GTX

Chunky, alpine-style looks, but deceptively light for the spec.

Vibram Masai sole unit with chunky lugs gives excellent all-round grip.

The North Face has produced some impressive trail and trail-running shoes over the years, but for 2012 it's focussed on mountain and mountain walking boots for the first time with a complete new range designed and developed in Europe and including the new Verbera Lightpacker GTX, a fabric and suede boot that's supportive and stable, but still relatively light.

When a company the size of TNF takes on a new project, it has the resources to do it thoroughly, so the build and technology are state of the art stuff on paper with a brand new last - the shape of the boot developed specially - and some neat refinements aimed at reducing weight and and increasing comfort and stability.

Sounds good on paper, but how does it work in the real world? Check out our full first look.