Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX Review
Our Verdict
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This Product
Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall Hiking Boot | Best Support | Best for Off-Trail Hiking | Best Bang for the Buck | |
Price | $250 List | $179.93 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $218.70 at Amazon Compare at 4 sellers | $124.99 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $59.83 at REI Compare at 4 sellers |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | An all-purpose hiking boot that provides great support while remaining lightweight | This high-top boot is one of the most stable we tested, and with plush cushioning is perfect for big backcountry missions | This flagship hiking boot is our first recommendation for a hiking and backpacking boot, achieving remarkable performance in all terrain types and conditions | This is a high-performance boot that eats up demanding off-trail terrain thanks to its above-average stability and traction | This inexpensive boot is super comfortable and is a great all-around option |
Rating Categories | Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX | Hoka Kaha 2 GTX | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... |
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Support (25%) | |||||
Traction (15%) | |||||
Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
Weight (10%) | |||||
Durability (10%) | |||||
Specs | Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX | Hoka Kaha 2 GTX | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... |
Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) | 2.60 lbs | 2.77 lbs | 3.27 lbs | 2.08 lbs | 2.44 lbs |
Upper | SuperFabric/epoxy-based resin | Waterproof nubuck leather | Leather and nylon | AirMesh, microfiber, TPU | Pigskin leather, mesh |
Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular, wide | Regular, wide |
Waterproof Lining | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex extended comfort | Waterproof membrane |
Midsole | Injected EVA/4mm OrthoLite inserts | 2-density CMEVA (rubberized EVA) | EnergyCell | Injection-molded MEMlex | Super Rebound Compound |
Boot Type | Midweight hiker/lightweight mountaineering boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Lightweight hiker/day hiker | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot |
Last Board/Shank | TPU Chassis | Not specified | 4D Chassis | Nylon molded flex TPU | Molded nylon |
Sole | Vibram MegaGrip | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Contagrip TD | FriXion XF 2.0 | Vibram TC5+ |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Arcteryx Acrux TR GTX boot is a lightweight take on a classic hiking boot. Featuring solid ankle support, it is great for heavy-duty backpacking use but shaves some weight by using more modern materials. We found it to be a good performer across all of our review metrics.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
The Acrux TR is a relatively comfortable boot, though it did not impress us as much as the top-ranked hiking boots in our review. It has an EVA-injected midsole that keeps us from feeling sharp rocks underfoot when hiking off-trail, but the sole feels a bit thin at times. The ankle is cushioned and feels comfortable when laced, though the tongue tends to shift out of place and put awkward pressure on the bottom of the shin. The toe cap gives good protection from impacting rocks and roots as well. While this is a fully synthetic boot, we found that the epoxy resin-treated upper did not flex as much as we expected and caused minor discomfort on the top of the toes before it was broken in.
Support
This is a boot that can handle heavy use in difficult terrain. While light on the foot, it does feature an EVA-injected midsole that provides cushion from impact and supports the foot. It is also built on a TPU chassis, which acts as a shank to provide structure and stability in the midfoot and forefoot. These boots were taken through many talus fields and scree slopes, and we noted above-average performance on these challenging routes. The outsole is fairly narrow at 4 inches, giving this boot a bit more chance of rolling, though the narrow sole aids in climbing ability with more edging sensitivity.
Traction
Using the same Vibram MegaGrip sole that many of our favorite approach shoes feature, this boot gives us a lot of confidence while scrambling on rock. The soft rubber bites into granite, and the sole flexes enough to be able to smear up rock slabs. In wet conditions, it fares reasonably well, though the lugs are not as deep as other models and slip more easily in mud and snow. In short, this boot has an all-purpose sole that can do it all fairly well, though it is not outstanding in any single terrain type.
Water Resistance
The Acrux TR has a flood height of 5 inches, which makes it an attractive option if you plan on hiking in wet conditions. We have not had any experiences with the synthetic upper failing or allowing water to pass through seams, thanks to a Gore-Tex waterproof barrier. We feel that the breathability of these boots is less than other lined models and have often been dismayed at how damp and sweaty our feet have gotten while hiking, even in relatively cool weather conditions.
Weight
With a verified weight of 2.6 pounds per pair in size 11 US, these are average performers when it comes to weight overall but are fairly light when you consider the type of boot it is. Lighter models are less supportive, less waterproof, and do not have as good of a sole in our experience, so we feel that this is actually a lightweight boot even when you score it against the other lighter-weight models in our review.
Durability
Durability is one metric where we feel that the Acrux TR is vulnerable. While we have not yet had any issues with the sole, the upper material is made of a proprietary compound called SuperFabric. This is a fabric combined with epoxy resin to provide a high level of abrasion resistance for its weight, similar to the materials found on many lightweight three-season mountaineering boots. Time will tell, but this fabric is unlikely to survive as many seasons of hard use as a full-leather upper.
Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX?
The Acrux TR boots are good overall hiking boots that can do it all. From day hikes to strenuous multi-day treks, they have the support and traction you require while remaining light and flexible enough to scramble in technical terrain. They're quite expensive, though, and there are other higher-scoring, less expensive models we'd recommend over this pair.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
It's hard to go wrong with our overall favorite boot, the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX. For an even lighter-weight boot, we recommend Salomon's X Ultra Mid 4. If you can't quite swing the cost of either of those, our favorite budget model is the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof, which is a great all-around hiker.