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Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX Review

A quality boot with good support that uses advanced materials to shed weight
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Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX Review
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Price:  $250 List
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Manufacturer:   Arc'teryx
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 25, 2022
68
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#13 of 19
  • Comfort - 25% 6.0
  • Support - 25% 8.0
  • Traction - 15% 8.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 7.0
  • Weight - 10% 5.8
  • Durability - 10% 5.0
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

The Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX is one of the most useful boots in their line. This general-purpose hiking boot does well on and off the trail, with high-top support and above-average stability. It's fully waterproof and uses a synthetic upper enhanced by an epoxy-resin treatment to resist wear. We find this to be a good option for backpacking and even day hiking, as it is one of the lightest and most nimble boots for its class. To see how they measure up to the competition, take a look at our review of the best men's hiking boots.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight for their beefiness
Excellent traction and stability
Good all-around performance
REASONS TO AVOID
Questionable durability
Expensive
Editor's Note: This review was updated on October 25, 2022, to check all statements for accuracy.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Hiking Boot
Top Pick Award
Best Support
Top Pick Award
Best for Off-Trail Hiking
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Price $250 List$179.93 at REI
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Bottom Line An all-purpose hiking boot that provides great support while remaining lightweightThis high-top boot is one of the most stable we tested, and with plush cushioning is perfect for big backcountry missionsThis flagship hiking boot is our first recommendation for a hiking and backpacking boot, achieving remarkable performance in all terrain types and conditionsThis is a high-performance boot that eats up demanding off-trail terrain thanks to its above-average stability and tractionThis 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%)
6.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
Support (25%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Traction (15%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
Water Resistance (15%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Weight (10%)
5.8
5.1
3.0
8.0
6.5
Durability (10%)
5.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
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


arc'teryx acrux tr gtx - supportive, lightweight and offering great traction in rocky...
Supportive, lightweight and offering great traction in rocky terrain, the Acrux TR is a great all-around hiking boot.
Credit: Tim Johnson

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.

arc'teryx acrux tr gtx - these boots take a bit more time to break in than others, so this...
These boots take a bit more time to break in than others, so this 25-mile hike was a bit much for them right out of the box.
Credit: Tim Johnson

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.

arc'teryx acrux tr gtx - charging downhill in scree and talus felt very stable in these boots.
Charging downhill in scree and talus felt very stable in these boots.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

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.

arc'teryx acrux tr gtx - able to smear on the rock, these boots provided excellent traction...
Able to smear on the rock, these boots provided excellent traction in the rock environment.
Credit: Tim Johnson

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.

arc'teryx acrux tr gtx - we had no issues with the waterproof barrier of these boots, they...
We had no issues with the waterproof barrier of these boots, they held up to stream crossing and submersions just fine.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

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.

arc'teryx acrux tr gtx - shaving some weight off your feet makes it easier to complete big...
Shaving some weight off your feet makes it easier to complete big hikes with less fatigue.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

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.

arc'teryx acrux tr gtx - the superfabric upper may have some wear issues if you spend a lot...
The SuperFabric upper may have some wear issues if you spend a lot of time in abrasive terrain.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

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.

arc'teryx acrux tr gtx - light is right, and the acrux tr is a good choice for the hiker that...
Light is right, and the Acrux TR is a good choice for the hiker that wants to do it all.
Credit: Tim Johnson

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.

Ryan Huetter