I was curious to find out more about the much-hyped Arc’teryx Bora² Mid GTX boots. I have been testing them over the past few months in a variety of conditions and terrain.
Arc’teryx describe their new style of boots as a “radically different approach to hiking footwear”. They add: “The boots bring technologies together to create a new level of versatility and performance.”
There’s an outer that looks a bit like plastic. It’s a robust-looking plastic but my first thought was: “That’s made of plastic.” It’s actually a “durable, seamless, single piece thermo-laminated upper”.
Inside is an “interchangeable stretch liner”. Arc’teryx state that the liner has an adaptive fit to offer customised comfort. The liner is stretch GORE-TEX to deliver “waterproof/breathable protection in wet or shifting weather”.
In addition, the liner is “highly air permeable so it’s designed for ventilation in warm and dry environments”. It’s possible to buy another liner that offers greater insulation for colder winter temperatures.
The liner also rises to the top of the cuffs. Arc’teryx claim that this gives the boots a higher level of waterproofness than many traditional boots, which have a built-in waterproof lining.
The liners can be removed and used for padding about the camp site and they can be washed so the boots do not end up as smelly as traditional footwear.
A Vibram sole is combined with a moulded EVA midsole to offer the same agility as an approach shoe but with the “stability and protection of a mountaineering boot”.
The aim was to provide both traction and grip. A zone at the forefoot provides the friction to stick to hard rock and smooth surfaces, while the perimeter is modelled like a mountaineering boot for durability and grip. The lugs on the sole give greater “bite with friction”.
There’s also a spherical heel design to offer a smoother stride and a “Y” groove split heel for improved braking and agility.
The aim of the boots is to provide high levels of versatility so they can be used in a range of different climates and conditions.
The Bora2 GTX boots are priced at £280 and come in male and female fit. There are other versions of the Arc’teryx boot.
On test: Arc’teryx Bora² Mid GTX boots
If you think of a “deconstructed” dish at a restaurant, for example, a lemon meringue pie that arrives with separate pastry, lemon and meringue, then you will have a better idea about the Bora boot. The boots come apart so there is a liner and a shell. Then, when placed together, they form a full boot. This is unique on the market just now.
To put on the boots I first pulled on the inner liners over my sock-clad feet. They feel similar to my neoprene wetsuit booties that I wear for swimming in open water. Then I pushed my bootie-clad feet into the outer shell. The first impression is that they are very comfortable.
Because there is no tongue in the boots, I was worried that the laces would be uncomfortable but they are not in the least.
The lacing system includes a series of holes in the upper shell finished with three clips on either side. The first two clips are lockable, which is great for keeping the laces at the right tension. It took me a few adjustments to get the laces to feel completely comfortable but once I did they never moved again.
This is ideal when walking on uneven terrain because without the lockable laces the boots would come undone and that is annoying.
The fit is what I would call narrow to medium. This suits me because I have narrow feet. However, the heel area is wider than my usual brand of boots (Asolo) so I think the boots would be a good fit for people with an average size and width of foot.
I found that the wider heel allowed my own heel to move about a bit. This caused a slight rub when walking so I needed to tighten the laces to keep my heel more firmly in place.
Arc’teryx have made a male and female fit boot. I think the main difference is the forefoot width. The boots look very similar and there is no “pinkifying” thank goodness.
Extra features that I liked are the pull-tabs at the back of the bootie to help pull on the liners and an elasticated bootie top to keep muck out above the ankle.
The liner also rises to the top of the cuffs of the boots. Arc’teryx claim that this gives the boots a higher level of waterproofness than many traditional boots, which have a built-in waterproof lining. The top part wasn’t too tight round my skinny legs, which means it wasn’t the most effective at keeping out water, but for most people I imagine it would offer a good fit.
I have tested the boots for waterproofness in many rivers and puddles. The water rose high up the boot, although not over the top of the ankle, and while water did get between the outer and the liner it didn’t penetrate my socks or feet at all. It was quite strange, in fact, to have water in the boots that did not make my feet wet. My feet felt cold from the cold water but they did not get wet.
Excess water gets out again through an area of small holes covered by a mesh on the sides of the boots. This system works quite well because the feet being inside the shell forces out the water that has crept in.
The boots do not have a super stiff sole so I wouldn’t recommend them for winter walking where lots of traction is required. Instead, the boots offer comfort and some flexibility. I found them very easy to walk in going up and down hills and when doing a bit of rock scrambling. That is why I would recommend these as a spring or summer boot.
However, I have also worn them in some snow and they felt a lot more grippy than I expected them to be. In addition, the boots offered a higher level of warmth than I imagined. So, for early spring conditions, where you might find some snow on higher mountains, the boots are actually a great asset.
I found the boots to be generally sticky on all kinds of terrain, from wet and dry rock slabs to stony paths, mud, grass and heather. They are not ideal for icy conditions but you would not normally expect that in spring or summer conditions.
I would mostly look for boots with a heel that has a sharper right angle to give good grip when descending a steep and muddy hill or mountain but I found the more rounded heel of the Bora boots was surprisingly good. After a while I felt confident enough to walk fast downhill.
Whether walking up or down or on the flat I really enjoyed the experience of being in the Bora boots. They are lightweight, comfortable, grip well and they are very waterproof. The boots supported my feet nicely although there is not a lot of cushioning in the sole.
My main concern about the Bora boots is the synthetic shell. It does look robust and durable but I haven’t proven this over months of wear. I trust in leather and fabric uppers but I worry that the general creases and tensions on the plastic-like material might cause a lot of wear and even tears. In particular, the areas around the lacing eyelets look a bit vulnerable but this is a hunch rather than being evidenced by wear.
However, after consulting someone who has been wearing the boots for many months my worries have been quelled. They have found the boots cope very well with lots of rough and rocky walking and minor scrambling – and they do not wear out as I feared.
The Bora boots also come in a leather shell if you prefer that.
I have concerns about how long the inner will last but it’s helpful to know you can buy replacements. Many fabric boots with Gore-Tex lining built in lose their waterproofness in time but with the Boras you can simply replace this by buying a new inner.
The boots are also quite pricey at £280 (and upwards). However, many people are happy to pay for the trusted Arc’teryx brand (it is one of my favourite brands).
In my opinion, the boots offer a good bridge between trail running footwear and lightweight spring/summer walking boots. I am already a big fan of the Boras.
For more details see Arc’Teryx.