RAPACE GTX-M Boot

Salewa rapace has to be the best boot I have ever used. I have been hiking since I was in my mid teens and climbed mount Olympus twice. Plus I was in the Marines. I have never used boots that are so comfortable and required absolutely no break in time like these rapace boots. I have struggled with plantar fasciitis for a long time and I have narrow feet with high arches and finding boots that fit well can be a struggle. I took the advice of folks that recommend getting half a size larger than normal. Put on some wool socks and went for a 4 mile hike at Tenaja falls CA with a 30 lbs pack. No break in time, no hot spots. This boots are a light weight mountaineering boot. It’s stiffer than most but still has a bit flex so it’s not uncomfortable. The heel and tread design ensure good grip even in steep and loose ground. The lace system ensures that the boot conforms to the foot ensuring no hot spots or blisters. I’m glad I got them half a size larger. This gives me a bit of room so when I’m going down hill under heavy load my toes don’t hurt. I also like the included extra insoles. The fit with my sock combo make a perfect fit. I know that each person’s feet are different but these are great for me. Update: I used these boots for a three day trip in the Sierra Mountains just a bit lower than 7000 feet of elevation. Wend down and up on some very steep terrain with loose rocks and soil. The boots were awesome. Good grip, support for the ankles enough flex to be comfortable but stiff enough to support going uphill. If they provide waterproof I’ll say they are perfect.

I had been wearing Salomon Quest 4 hiking boots for years and loved their fit, comfort and overall performance. But, wanted something more rigid and supportive for rocky alpine treks. I was concerned that a stiffer boot would mean compromising comfort until I wore these Salewa Rapace GTX boots. I wear 9.5 in most shoes/boots and the 9.5 Rapace's fit great with the Salewa insoles that can customize the fit. The lacing system also provides great fine tuning. For me the true test of comfort and fit is hiking downhill and the Rapace's have been great on downslopes. The rigid sole also delivers solid support when walking over rocky terrain. I gained more confidence over the rocks the more I wore them knowing they could withstand the punishment. Traction has been fantastic as well with Vibram big lug tread and the great heel break. Overall, very happy with these boots and look forward to many miles in them!

A little history and context: I hike twice a week in Utah from desert to forest to alpine terrains with 4+ weekender backpacking trips per year. After purchasing the mountain trainer mid leather hiking boots four years ago (10.5) and wearing them for several seasons (they could probably still be re-soled), I opted for the Rapace GTX boots as a stiffer option with waterproofing at a high ankle level that allows me to skip a little less carefully through springtime streams. The toe-box cradles my narrow feet and I've never had a blister in either pair with up to 30 mile hiking days. I opened the box on the Rapace GTX boots and was confident enough that, apart from wearing them on only a couple of small 4 mile hikes, I felt comfortable wearing them relatively untested through Grand Gulch (23 miles over 3 days). No problem whatsoever. They have continued to out-perform as a solid gear component for another 2 seasons through every conceivable condition. Without hyperbole I say I've staked my life upon the performance of these boots and the grip of the Vibram sole.

I have used this boot for two hours of treadmill cardio a day for a year, and my feet never tire. Ankle support is phenomenal, and although the tread/arch is rigid, somehow it’s perfectly comfortable and no mid-foot fatigue while hiking rough terrain. I have two pair of these fantastic boots.

I listened to everyone else on the reviews and ordered a half size up (11)... Mistake. Ended up exchanging and ordering my regular shoe size (10.5) and fit perfect. Maybe for people that don't intend to use these shoes for climbing then go a half size up but a finger or two of room at the end of your shoe is no bueno when you are climbing. It's a pretty narrow shoe so I could see people with wide feet having issues. But yet again it's supposed to double as a climbing shoe so somewhat expected. Haven't gone hiking in them yet so not sure of the comfort level for long hikes but I think they will do great. Will update to confirm. So far so good, they are comfortable, look awesome and will serve as a great approach/hiking shoe. Would recommend and will most likely get another pair when these wear through. Hope this helps!

Great boots I have several pairs. Fit is good I have wide feet. Never had a blister. I wear them for hiking and everyday for about a year then wear them daily for work. They last over 2 years that way.

It's hard to find much about these boots. I bought these and the Crow at the same time for different uses. The crow is a more robust boot with much less flex. However, the Rapace is stiff enough for most people in most conditions. The mid foot section is just a hair less stiff in the shank area than the crow. But these fit like a dream right out of the box. I am usually a size 11 and stayed with an 11 and they're perfect. They may feel tight before you lace them up, but that's normal. Length and width are perfect with my medium wide foot. The heel lock actually works. In fact, it works a little better in this than the crow (at least for now) and I think that is simply because the rear Achilles support comes a bit higher on the rapace, and the upper is a little more stiff on the crow and will require some more break in. Overall, amazing boots. I can't wait to actually use these on some trails.

100% do not recommend. Within a few hikes the tred has ripped off in multiple spots, sole is tearing apart on the side the eyelet is ripping out already. Tried to return or exchange but it is no longer being made therefore was stuck. Company wouldn’t work with us or even exchange for two of a lesser value to equal the value. Just not impressed at all for the price and quality I would not recommend

Initially I was a bit worried about reading some reviews online to say it's quite a narrow fit. I don't really have narrow feet and I've tried both the 'medium fit' and 'narrow fit' insoles that come with the boots (note: the 'medium fit' ones come already imbedded in the boots) - and they both fit my feet absolutely fine. My record with getting blisters with any hiking boots or running trainers etc is terrible. I really struggle with them however I took these pair of boots for their first test along a Hadrian's Wall walk (a bit overkill I know - but just to try them out) - and I didn't get any blisters. They are very comfortable, snug and secure and gave me no discomfort straight out of the box. No breaking in required. I particularly like the rubber-like protection going around the lower part of the uppers - it'll be ideal when I go to the Lake District. I also like the way the laces work in tangent with the '3F system' to really secure your ankle. I also like how the boots are compatible with semi-automatic crampons for when I feel ready to experience this. The grip underfoot is excellent. The boots straight out of the box feel like they've been built to last - very high quality and with premium materials. The boots of course look so cool - especially with the other colours that I wear. I will say that I was slightly annoyed with actually getting the right boots via ordering here as originally I was sent a size 11.5 - NOT the size 11 I actually ordered. This was easily resolvable but felt like such a silly error to make. Overall, highly recommended for anyone hiking on any terrain in the UK I'd say and a good starting pair of boots to get into winter mountaineering. Unless you regularly have problems with your feet being too wide for footwear, these should be absolutely fine.

Bought a bunch of equipment for a recent trip to New Zealand and these were probably the best purchase. They broke in quickly, are extremely durable and completely waterproof. Only time they got wet was when water came in through the top during stream crossings, hardly a design flaw. Tread is good on snow and the boots worked well with semiautomatic crampons. Would definitely recommend.

Super zakup, buty przeszły moje oczekiwania. 3 miesiące polowałem na nie aby kupić w dobrej cenie i w Amazon się udało. polecam i buty i Amazon - tylko dobrze dobierzcie rozmiar mniej więcej 1/2 rozmiaru większe.

I ordered a 42 and got a 43. Blisters guaranteed. I love the boot but wearing something too big would feel like wearing clown shoes. Now i gotta pay to return something that is the seller's error. Nice service.

Ist bereits mein zweites Paar dieses Models. Das erste hatte ich noch im Einzelhandel erworben, aber mittlerweile führt kein Sport-/Outdoorfachhandel im Umkreis von 100 km mehr Salewa Schuhe. Aber jetzt zum Schuh: Design: Sehr schöne, technische Machart. Farbe (grün/schwarz) einfach nur gei... . Der Schuh macht einfach was her. Ganz anders als vergleichbare Modelle von Lowa, Meindl und Co. Passform: Eng geschnitten, durch die teilbare Einlegesohle aber gut anpassbar. Und vor allem, mit diesem Schuh noch keine Blasen gelaufen. Insbesondere der Fersenbereich, mein sensibler Punkt, bietet genügend Platz. Da reibt und drückt nichts. Trotzdem sitzt er fest, auch Dank des 3F Schnürsystems. Zur Größe kann ich sagen, dass sie normal ausfällt. Trage hier eine 45, genauso wie bei normalen Strassenschuhen. Sohle: Stabil, fest und komfortabel. Auch auf unebenem Geläuf wie grobem Schotter, Wurzeln und ähnliches, bietet der Salewa eine hohe Trittsicherheit und Traktion, ohne dabei umkomfortabel zu sein. Selbst längere Trails werden mit dem Schuh nicht zur Qual. Sonstiges: Bei meinem ersten Paar war nach ca einem dreiviertel Jahr die Wasserdichtigkeit nicht mehr gegeben. Bin mit den Schuhen aber wirklich auch viel gelaufen. Bis dato sicher um die 1000 Kilometer. Fazit: Ein fast perfekter Schuh, der absoluter Preis-Leistungssieger in der Klasse bis 160 Euro ist. Hab da einige andere Modelle schon zum Vergleich gehabt, u.a. von Lowa, Adidas, Salomon und Meindl.