What is the Alp Trainer?
The Alp Trainer by Salewa is a mid height hiking, trekking or general approach boot featuring a Gore-Tex membrane, a flexible yet supportive fit, a sticky Vibram sole, Salewa's brilliant 3F system and a durable suede upper.
How are they constructed?
Upper: A 1.6-1.8mm thick suede leather encompasses the uppers of the Alp Trainer, increasing durability and allowing you to get on with the activity at hand and not have to worry about ripping or excessive wear. A PU coated leather rand also wraps around the lower half, protecting vital stitch points and increasing the longevity of the boot.
Membrane: A Gore-Tex membrane sits underneath the tough upper and provides total waterproofing. As well as providing weather protection, it'll allow your sweat to escape over the course of the day.
Outsole: Providing the grip in the Alp Trainer is a super sticky Vibram Hike Approach outsole. Stickier than a traditional walking shoe yet durable enough to cope with long mountain days, it strikes the perfect balance between grip and durability.
Footbed: Salewa's MMF footbed (multi fit footbed) gives you a main footbed and a second one which can be attached to the main one to reduce the volume of the boot; this allows you to customise it depending on the volume and shape of your foot.
What are the features?
The key to Salewa's excellent fit is the lacing systems they apply to different models of their boots. The lacing on the Alp Trainer has been adapted to suit not just walking and trekking but climbing as well, with the laces stretching all the way down to the toe area to allow accurate adjustment, giving you more support and performance when tackling technical terrain.
Another key factor to the fit of the Alp Trainers is Salewa's 3F system. A wire splits into three sections; one part connects to the lacing, the other to the midsole and the last to the upper heel area. As you tension the laces, it pulls the wire on the connecting areas to improve the fit, feel and flexibility of the shoe. If your heel feels a little loose and sluggish, simply pull the laces in and the wire will close the gap on the heel, reducing the liklihood of a blister. Further improving comfort is a soft Ortholite footbed and lacing which stretches all the way down to the toe area to customise the fit in different sections.
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Gore-Tex membrane
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Vibram Hike Approach sole
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Climbing lacing
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Flexible yet supportive
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3F system
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MFF footbed