Product Feature: The SCARPA Mistral GTX Women’s Hiking Boot

The correct choice of footwear for long walks will make the difference between a comfortable hike and an experience that can’t end soon enough!
At BCH Camping we offer advice to customers, new to walking and seasoned walkers alike, on the best footwear for their needs. This can come down to choosing between boots or shoes, whether the footwear needs to be fully waterproof, or suitability for the terrain they will be up against.
For many, the assumption is that full-grain leather boots are better than suede or fabric boots. This isn’t necessarily the case. It depends on your needs. Yes, our full-grain leather boots are fully waterproof, highly protective of the foot and sturdy on tricky terrain. However, suede or fabric boots certainly hold their own and offer beneficial features, ideal for a range of walking conditions.

Features of suede walking boots

  • Durable
  • Breathable
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • 2-3 season use
  • Usually less expensive than full-grain leather
A favourite suede and fabric walking boot at BCH Camping is the women’s SCARPA’s Mistral GTX.

SCARPA Mistral GTX Women’s Hiking Boot

The popularity of the SCARPA Mistral GTX women’s walking boot has increased due to its versatility. A pair of SCARPA Mistral GTX boots also offers great value for money, considering its durability and suitability for a wide range of conditions and terrain.
It looks great too. The Smoke-Lagoon colour make this a contemporary, fashionable boot that looks as good in town as it does on the fells.
The SCARPA Mistral GTX is a versatile, comfortable, lightweight and supportive hiking boot that is ideal for fell walking, hill walking, paths, trails and daily use in towns and cities.

Features of the SCARPA Mistral GTX Walking Boot

There are many technical features of the SCARPA Mistral GTX, some of which have been improved or added to, since the launch of the original model:
  • Lining and waterproof technology – GORE-TEX®
  • Upper - 1.8mm water-resistant suede and synthetic
  • Sole – Vibram Energy II
  • PU midsole has structured ribs that provide additional support
  • Lightweight – 540g per boot, size 38
  • Insole – nylon insert
  • Breathable – yes
  • Additional lace lock for adjusting to a snug fit
  • Additional felt layer enhances the bond between the outsole and midsole. It also creates a more supportive and durable structure
  • The wide collar makes it easy to slip the boot on and off
As an improvement on previous versions, the supple suede and fabric upper now has less stitching, increasing the boots’ durability.
The GORE-TEX® Performance membrane is fully waterproof, ensuring that your feet remain comfortable in any weather conditions. How does this work? Each square inch of the GORE-TEX® membrane has nine billion pores, each of which is 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet. Rain and snow cannot get in, making the membrane waterproof
The Vibram Energy II rubber outsole works in tandem with the PU midsole. The Vibram Energy II sole uses a low rolling resistance tread, attached to the comfortable midsole. This provides good traction, cushioning and support on a range of terrains, conducive to lightweight and occasional use. The increased rubber content of the Vibram Energy II model provides added durability.
Offering a mid-range stiffness makes the SCARPA Mistral GTX ideal for backpacking and trekking. For the kind of terrain encountered on many walks, this is perfectly adequate, as is the protection of the foot. Should you be looking to take on more challenging terrain you may require the level of sturdiness offered by a full-grain leather boot. This comes at a practical cost, however. Full-grain leather boots are much heavier and less supple so not always ideal for basic trekking and hill walking. Plus, the monetary cost can put buyers off.

The integrity of the SCARPA brand

The quality and reputation of the SCARPA brand is testament to its ninety plus years of trading, design and development. “Scarpa” is Italian for shoe so it is unsurprising that footwear innovation and tradition have always been at the heart of the company.
Rupert Edward Cecil Lee Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh, an Anglo-Irish businessman who owned land in Asolo in the Veneto Region of Northern Italy, established S.C.A.R.P.A the footwear company, in 1930. The name was an acronym for Societa Calzaturiera Asolana Riunita Pedemontana Anonima (Association of Footwear Manufacturers of the Asolo Mountain Area).
In 1956, three brothers Luigi, Francesco and Antonio Parisotto took over the company. Within a decade the company had created a reputation for superior quality footwear, and in 1960 broke into the North American market.
The 1960s saw production lines evolve to include mountain and high-altitude boots, ski boots and leather Telemark boots. The trekking leather boots were ideally suited to walking and rambling. During the next forty years, three models were developed that specifically targeted university students.
In the seventies, exports reached a market share of 60% of the entire SCARPA production, establishing SCARPA as a superior quality brand. From there it went from strength to strength, having a particularly significant impact on the world of skiing.
Today, SCARPA is an industry leader for performance footwear. It remains a family-owned company with headquarters and manufacturing facilities in the same regions of northern Italy as where it all began.
At BCH Camping we sell a range of SCARPA boots and shoes, and we’re proud to be associated with such a prestigious brand.
Get in touch
BCH Camping supply outdoor clothing, footwear, backpacking essentials and camping equipment. If you would like any further information or advice, please contact us at websales@bchcamping.co.uk or by calling 01225 764977.
Remember, the adventure starts at BCH Camping!