Pilgrim HL GTX Combat

Bought these after owning a pair of Pilgrims for 5 years and more than a few mountains (they are still good to go), and needed a set for work, so AKU it was.

As other reviewers have mentioned, these are stiff boots and they are meant for carrying heavy loads over rough terrain. They do this well: my feet have been blister free and stayed dry from the outside. Allow a generous time for break-in and don’t tie the uppers too tight, as your foot won’t flex as it should. I’ve had mine a few months now and they still look new despite rough use. The sole doesn’t grip well on the snow/ice, but that’s normal with a hard sole boot. Either get slip on studs/crampons/Neos, or switch to the CAF issue mukluks.

I’d buy these again but I don’t think I’ll need to.

Boots have a fantastic build quality to them and are super comfortable and supportive right out of the box! Stable on uneven and slippery surfaces. Only downsides are that the textured leather requires more intensive cleaning to get them uniform black again, and my personal preference is closed loop lacing but the speedhooks work just fine. I would advise to leave the shaft laces looser than you may with other boots because these boots are ankle supportive almost to a fault (which isn't a bad thing because it's easier to make a boot less supportive than more supportive). If the ankles are too immobilized, then your walking gait is thrown off and can mess up your hips and knees, so be mindful of that

I have had a pair of these for a year now. From office work to patrols and out on the range in a monsoon these boots haven't failed me yet. Gortex holds up great, comfy from the moment I first put them on, these are no joke the best boots I've had in the CAF to date.