Brasher Women's Supalite XCR Reviewed

When Brasher produced a fabric-equivalent of the original Supalite GTX, they also made a women's specific version - the Women's Supalite XCR. Brasher claim it's "the lightest high-performance boot on the market" designed for low level or summer hill walking.

The classic Brasher leather upper has mutated into a suede and mesh-panelled upper in the Supalite XCR. Inside is a Gore-Tex XCR lining, designed to be both waterproof and breathable, although it can get a little sweaty in hot conditions.

Part of the weight saving comes from Brasher's own Stabylite sole unit, which initially looked rather vulnerable, with relatively shallow grips. The proof's in the pudding though...

However vulnerable the sole appears, we didn't have any trouble with it in practise. We tried several walks through a very boggy Wharfedale and it didn't let us down; then we took it up in the High Peak just to make sure. However inclement the conditions, we didn't find ourselves slipping or sliding around, so we reckon it's a pretty good boot for under-foot stability in summer walking conditions.

The fit's best suited to a narrow foot. It's got a very decided shape, narrowing prominently in the middle of the foot - more so than most footwear. This worked perfectly for us, but then our feet are very narrow anyway, so if you have a wider, squarer foot it might not suit you so well.

Our only problem with the fit was a spot of difficulty lacing it tightly enough around the ankle. There are fewer hooks for the laces than on many walking boots, which meant there wasn't as much flexibility as we'd have liked when it came to adjusting the lacing. As it was, the lower part of the ankle couldn't be tightened quite enough to suit us. The upper part of the ankle gave ample support for the terrain though.

Last but not least, we're keen on keeping the weight down wherever possible, and this boot really was light. It's not designed for the toughest terrain or conditions, but if you're out on a trail in reasonable weather, the weight-saving makes a big difference.

Oh yes, and the appearance... The lady's version does away with the brown and red of the men's Supalite XCR and replaces it with navy and 'slate'. It looks fine in the shop, but once you've worn it, that means it's navy blue with slate cum mud-coloured panels, just like any other pale colour that you wear on your feet on the hills. Never mind; if it's light and grippy then nobody's going to be too fussed by a spot of mud...

We were a bit sceptical when we first set eyes on the sole unit of the Brasher Supalite XCR, as it didn't look as though it would provide enough grip and support for any but the best-surfaced trails. A few days' walking proved us wrong though. This boot certainly does its best to keep you upright on walks in summer conditions.

A bit more flexibility in the lacing system would have been nice, and it's worth trying carefully before you buy, as the fit's on the narrow side. If that's you, the Supalite XCR could well be a good option though, as it really does offer a weight saving over other summer walking boots.

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