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Arc'teryx Acrux AR Review

This lightweight double boot is perfect for cold weather technical climbing
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Arc'teryx Acrux AR Review
Credit: Arc'teryx
Price:  $750 List
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Manufacturer:   Arc'teryx
By Ian McEleney ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Sep 14, 2022
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 9
  • Climbing - 25% 5.0
  • Weight - 20% 4.0
  • Weather Resistance - 20% 9.0
  • Warmth - 15% 9.0
  • Hiking - 10% 5.0
  • Lacing - 10% 6.0

Our Verdict

In the past, if you needed a mountaineering boot with a removable liner (for drying out in your sleeping bag on overnight adventures), your only choice was big, bulky, 6000-meter boots. No longer is that the case. The Arc'teryx Acrux AR have a removable liner but are as nimble as any super-gaiter boot. These boots kept our feet warm and dry on multi-night winter trips at altitudes above 14,000 feet (4200m). Our testers liked the velcro ankle strap which helped quickly dial in the fit of the boot for different applications.
REASONS TO BUY
Removable liner
Velcro ankle strap
Waterproof
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Slightly flexible
Some of our testers found the sole to be slightly flexible on steep ground. These are one of the most expensive boots in our review, but we think they could be an excellent tool for climbers spending multiple nights out in cold environments. See it ranked against other top products in our article on the best mountaineering boots.

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Arc'teryx Acrux AR
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Bottom Line One of the lightest double boots on the market, and perfect for winter mountaineering in the lower 48This simple, lightweight boot is the one for tackling difficult mountaineering routesThis boot is warm, climbs well, and is easy to put on and adjust thanks to the external Boa systemThis is a lightweight, warm super-gaiter boot that climbs wellA good choice for the year-round mountaineer looking for a do-it-all boot
Rating Categories Arc'teryx Acrux AR Asolo Eiger XT GV Evo La Sportiva G5 Evo Scarpa Phantom Tech La Sportiva Trango...
Climbing (25%)
5.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Weight (20%)
4.0
9.0
6.0
8.0
7.0
Weather Resistance (20%)
9.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
Warmth (15%)
9.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
3.0
Hiking (10%)
5.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
Lacing (10%)
6.0
5.0
9.0
5.0
8.0
Specs Arc'teryx Acrux AR Asolo Eiger XT GV Evo La Sportiva G5 Evo Scarpa Phantom Tech La Sportiva Trango...
Style Double Single Single Single Single
Weight 2lb 2oz (965g) 1lb 10.8oz (760g) 1lb 15oz (875g) 1lb 12.6oz (810g) 1lb 13.6oz (835g)
Sizes Available 7-13 US 40-47.5 EU 38-48 EU 38-48 EU 38-48 EU
Upper 3L Gore-Tex w/ TPU Laminate High tenacity nylon with Schoeller Soft Shell Stretch Cordura with reflective aluminum lining PU Tek + S-Tech Fabric Nylon 6.6 with Honey-Comb Guard and FlexTec 3
Waterproof Lining Gore-Tex Gore-Tex Insulated Comfort Gore-Tex Infinium HDry waterproof direct lamination membrane Gore-Tex Performance Comfort
Shank PU Carbon Fiber 3mm Honeycomb Tech insulating carbon Carbon Fiber + EVA + Aerogel 9mm Insulated IBI-Thermo
Midsole CM EVA, carbon fiber Dual color microporous midsole 2mm polyurethane 2D EVA-MP 6-7mm TPU/ Dual-density micropore EVA
Sole Rubber Vibram AR Vibram Litebase with Mont compound Vibram Matterhorn Vibram Precision Tech Roll / Mont Vibram "One"

Our Analysis and Test Results

What makes the Arc'teryx Acrux AR unique is that it's the lightest double boot on the market. Instead of being a double boot made for 6000m peaks (with the associated insulation and bulk), it's a double boot made for 4000-5000m peaks. This means that this boot is much more pleasant to hike and climb in than its 6000m brethren.

Performance Comparison


arc'teryx acrux ar - the acrux was a favorite boot on colder days.
The Acrux was a favorite boot on colder days.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Climbing


The Acrux AR climbed rock well for a double boot and was only slightly lower performing than the super-gaiter boots in our test. Ankle flexibility is essential for rock climbing; we liked that the boot gave us the option to quickly increase the ankle flex by loosening up the velcro ankle strap (this is also a benefit when employing French technique on moderate slopes). We also felt that the slightly flexible sole helped on dry rock without crampons.


On the ice, this boot's performance was average. We had good crampon fit with Black Diamond, Petzl, and some Grivel toe bails. While the ankles on the Acrux AR aren't as supportive as our favorite boots for front pointing, there was sufficient calf support for steeper pitches. We felt the same on mixed terrain or when dry-tooling; performance was not bad, but nothing special.

arc'teryx acrux ar - grivel g12 (top), bd stinger (bottom left), and petzl lynx (bottom...
Grivel G12 (top), BD Stinger (bottom left), and Petzl Lynx (bottom right). Note the suboptimal fit on this Grivel bail.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Our larger testers detected some flex in the soles of this boot when on their front points, and in fact, Arc'teryx acknowledges that it was designed with a less than fully rigid sole for improved performance on approaches. Climbers whose only priority is steep ice in cold weather should consider one of the super-gaiter boots.

arc'teryx acrux ar - we liked the ability to quickly unzip the gaiter and adjust the...
We liked the ability to quickly unzip the gaiter and adjust the tension on the ankle strap; loose for hiking and snug for steep climbing.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Weight


For the most part, companies list the weight of one boot (or 1/2 of a pair) in a size 42. Many of the online sources of information on this boot, including the Arc'teryx website, list different weights. Our tester pair is size 43 and 1/3 (Arc'teryx labels their Euro sizes oddly, this is the equivalent of a 9.5 US men's), and one boot weighed in at 2 lb 2 oz (or 965g) on our freshly calibrated scale.


It is one of the heavier boots in our review. However, the other models in the same general weight range are less warm and weather resistant.

arc'teryx acrux ar - three of the boots with super gaiters in our test. the acrux is the...
Three of the boots with super gaiters in our test. The Acrux is the heaviest, but the only one with a removable inner boot.
Credit: Ian McEleney

The Acrux is only a few ounces less than modern 6000m double boots. While we appreciate the slight weight advantage, our testers really noticed the difference in the overall size of the boot. When measured around the fullest part of the forefoot, the Acrux is about an inch smaller than the La Sportiva G2SM.

Weather Resistance


A dry foot is a comfortable foot. Because of the gaiter, super-gaiter boots are inherently more waterproof. Maybe it's just because Arc'teryx is based in rainy Vancouver, but for waterproofness, the Acrux can't be beaten. The only way your foot is getting wet is if water comes in over the top of this 12-inch (30cm) high boot.


The liner boot of the Acrux has a Gore-Tex membrane. The gaiter of the shell is also constructed with Gore-Tex and has a waterproof zipper. The top of the gaiter has a built-in drawcord to seal it around your legs and keep out snow. If snow coming in is a concern, we think the best plan for this boot isn't to tuck your pants into it but rather to let them drape over and keep that drawcord tight.

arc'teryx acrux ar - waterproofness testing. we stood in this creek for over a minute. no...
Waterproofness testing. We stood in this creek for over a minute. No water got inside.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Warmth


This is a category where the Acrux AR shines. Many factors well beyond boot construction contribute to how warm our feet feel.


Nonetheless, our testers felt that this was one of the absolute warmest boots in our review. Insulation comes both from the removable liner boot and the inner shell. Because the gaiter traps heat, any boot with an integrated super-gaiter construction will be warmer than one without, and that's certainly the case here.

arc'teryx acrux ar - the sock-like inner boot of the acrux. note the pull loop at the...
The sock-like inner boot of the Acrux. Note the pull loop at the heel, it's essential for getting the inner boot off.
Credit: Ian McEleney

We have used this boot for six separate five-day trips over 14,000 feet (4200m) in the winter. Every time, our feet stayed warm for the whole trip, even summit day. That's because we could pull out the liner and bring it into our sleeping bag to dry each night. With any lightweight, single, or super-gaiter boot, drying the boot out each night would have meant spending lots of time cleaning all of the snow off of the exterior before bringing it into our bag. Even then there would be two rigid objects in the sleeping bag with us, which is not a comfortable proposition. The other advantage of having the liner in your sleeping bag is that in the morning, your foot isn't forced to warm up the cold boot.

Hiking


Our testers were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable this boot is for hiking. While it's certainly no cushy trail runner, it performed better than some much lighter boots. We think the slight flex in the sole helps counteract the weight of this boot when we're hiking on trails.


The sock-like fit of the inner boot kept all blisters at bay, regardless of approach length. Once again, the convenience of the velcro ankle strap let us hike with the ankle of the boot reasonably loose, but the laces snugged up.

Lacing


The lacing system of the boot is good. Traditional laces cover the forefoot and up to the ankle with no lace lock. The upper part of the boot is secured with a power strap. As mentioned, our testers really like the power strap for quick adjustments.


The inner boot has a sock-like fit and features no laces. We often got the best results by pulling this onto our foot and then putting our foot in the boot shell.

arc'teryx acrux ar - damage to our second boot after one day of ice cragging, the rand is...
Damage to our second boot after one day of ice cragging, the rand is separating from the rest of the boot toe.
Credit: Ian McEleney

We experienced some serious durability issues with two pairs of this boot. Arc'teryx responded promptly, and we haven't had a problem since. Every other climber we've discussed this boot with has experienced durability issues, mainly with the toe cap. We don't test boots for durability and these problems don't seem to have affected climbing performance, but they're worth noting.

Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Acrux AR?


If you've got perpetually cold feet, check out the Arc'teryx Acrux. It is a super warm boot. A removable liner on a boot designed for altitudes less than 6000m is a unique and advantageous feature and gives this boot a level of versatility not found in comparable products. While this isn't a perfect contender for cold weather ice climbing, it does get the job done, and its other attributes make it uniquely qualified as an all-around cold-weather mountain boot.

What Other Mountaineering Boots Should You Consider?


Climbers looking for something decently warm but much lighter weight should check out the Asolo Eiger XT GV Evo or Scarpa Phantom Tech. If you want something that slays steep ice and is super durable, the affordable La Sportiva Trango Tower Extreme GTX is worth checking out.

arc'teryx acrux ar - the acrux in action.
The Acrux in action.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Ian McEleney