I’ve got to start by telling you that I have been wearing Salewa footwear for about 6 months now. I love them.
Salewa is a 75 year old Italian mountaineering brand that just launched a footwear brand about 5 years ago and began bringing their products to the US about two-and-a-half years ago. This isn’t a life-style brand but rather a technical mountaineering brand. For instance, they featuring to toe lacing on every model. And, all boots feature sticky rubber rands. Finally, regardless of shoe or boot, they all feature a climbing edge along the forefoot.
As Salewa incorporates an anatomical European last, the fit can be a little narrow for some Americans. However, they include a feature that allows a more custom fit with their two-piece multi-fit footbed.
The Alp Trainer has been very popular with military and incorporates a Kevlar overlay along the lower portion of the upper. It’s very affordable at $199.
The Mountain Trainer features a little wider fit and a more rigid micro porous mid sole which makes it great for a carrying a heavy pack day in and day out. Being a little beefier, it goes for $219.
To cap it off, Salewa offers a 100% blister free guarantee.
