What's It For?
Brasher says the new for spring 2009 Lithium XCR is the lightest trekking boot in its class and has been purpose built for 'walking and trekking over rugged terrain' thanks to a combination of very lightweight construction with support and stability. It's much stiffer in the sole, for example, than the new Berghaus Explorer, which weighs pretty much exactly the same.
The Techy Bits
The Lithium's all about light weight combined with stiffness. A lot of that comes from the sole unit which is a three-part Brasher Trek model. There's a high density moulded mid-sole unit for support, then stiffness is catered for by a torsional support shank - a TPU plate in fact - and finally there's a new outsole with lugs spaced to combine traction, braking and also leave enough space for efficient mud evacuation.
Up top, the suede and fabric upper combo gets added heel and toe reinforcement to cope with abrasion from scree and rock while the upper gets Tri-Fit technology, basically external reinforcements to help keep the heel planted and the forefoot well anchored. The ankle cuff uses memory foam for a good fit without sloppiness.
How They Performed
The first thing we liked about the Lithiums is just how easily the laces flow through the hardware. That might sound like a minor point, but it makes it easy to get lacing tension just right. Comfort was great, straight out of the box with enough padding to protect bony bits without getting sloppy.
Fit is classic Brasher, aimed at the typical British foot, which means fairly high volume and quite a roomy heel compared to many other brands. With Brasher shoes, we generally find the heel too roomy for us, but the upper with its Tri-Foot reinforcement kept our foot pretty well anchored in the Lithium. Adding a higher volume footbed - an aftermarket Sole unit - gave an even better fit, so we reckon the boot will fit many British feet with some tweaking - it's still vital to try before buying though.
The boots are respectably light making for a sprightly walking, but conversely they do seem less cushioned than some lightweights we've tried, giving a firm ride on harder surfaces. The pay off for that is really good lateral stability on uneven ground and even our distinctly dodgy ankle felt comfortable and secure. There's still plenty of lengthways flexibility for comfortable walking however. The high ankle cuff helps give a feeling of support as well.
The Gore-Tex XCR liner's done a good job of keeping our feet dry so far, though we can't comment on warm weather capabilities just yet. Sunshine anyone? Finally, the new sole unit has performed faultlessly on both rock, grass and softer surfaces. No complaints
Initial Verdict
Don't be taken in by Brasher's traditional 'brown boots' image, the company's latest boots and shoes use modern technology, which is how the Lithium manages to combine light weight with real composure underfoot. The stiffness and support makes it an ideal lightweight option for rough terrain particularly for those who are put off by more flexible running-type footwear.
As ever, fit is crucial, so try carefully before buying, but Brasher's high-ish volume last suits many British feet and slick lacing helps to get the upper fitting just right too. Finally build quality so far has been good and the extra reinforcement on heel and toe is a great idea for a boot which is quite capable of all-round mountain use below the snowline.
Buy if... you're looking for a lightweight trekking and mountain walking boot that still offers great lateral stability and support along with decent grip underfoot.
