Italian boot brand Aku is best known for its lightweight
hiking footwear, but when it ventured into the ligthweight
mountaineering market with the innovative Spider, the results were
stunning. Now the company's announced the new Spider Light GTX
aimed squarely at the lightweight alpine market.
Spider Light GTX
The new boot has the same the basics as the insulated, high
mountain Spider using the same last and the same mid-sole, direct
injection technology, one-piece upper construction and moulded
thermoplastic PU protection against abrasion and crampon damage.
Where it differs is that the uppers are made from Aku's highly
breathable AIR 8000 material, there's no insulation as used in the
Spider and there's a much lighter Vibram Mulaz sole unit instead of
the chunkier outsole used for the Spider. There are three grades of
PU used in the sole unit for optimum cushioning in different
areas.
The end result is a B2-rated boot which despite chunky rubber toe
and heel rands, still weighs just 1480 grammes per pair compared to
1820 grammes per pair for the original Spider.
Ankle cur-out incorporates anti-debris
cuff.
Should be a great option for anyone looking for a lightweight
alpine boot when it appears in the shops in early 2009. Price
will be £180.
Suiterra Injected GTX
If you're more into walking than alpinism, some of the same
technology that goes into the Spider and the Spider Light is
available in Aku's radical-looking Suiterra Injected GTX, which is
already available.
Like the Spiders, the Suiterra uses AIR 8000 to improve
breathability and injected PU protection for the one-piece upper. You
can see the upper in the pics before it's bonded to the sole. You
also get EVA cushioning, a Vibram sole unit and Gore-Tex liner.
Claimed weight is a very respectable 1180 grammes per pair and the
highly advanced OM heft test, confirmed that for a three-season type
of boot, they really are on the money weight wise.
The version currently available comes in black only for the
sought-after Death Star Trooper look. The good news is that for
spring/summer '09 it will also be available in a more discrete grey
with translucent PU protection - above - as well as in a suede
version.
Vegetarians and vegans might like to note that the boots are
animal product free making them a vegetarian friendly option.
Details of the current Aku range of outdoor footwear at www.aku.it.
