SalewaMen's Wildfire GTX Approach Shoe

Second pair of these I've ordered. I have a narrow foot and prefer my footwear to hug my feet. These fit fantastically and are so well build. I will keep ordering them as long as they are available

Wow! I'm impressed. I wear keen and Solomon all the time and now I feel like I have the real thing. These are better than I expected. I hike a lot in South West colorado and the terrain changes depending on elevation. I took a pair of high-end keens on a 14er, the fit and function were ok, but they have started to come apart in visual places. These salewas seem professional, just out of the box. Great fit and I'm doing a 5.5 mile basic hike, x2, this week, but just wearing them in the snow and wearing them for more than 10hrs at a time so far, is impressive. Will update after actual hikes, but so far so good!

Salewa rapace has to be the best boot I have ever used. I have been hiking since I was in my mid teens and climbed mount Olympus twice. Plus I was in the Marines. I have never used boots that are so comfortable and required absolutely no break in time like these rapace boots. I have struggled with plantar fasciitis for a long time and I have narrow feet with high arches and finding boots that fit well can be a struggle. I took the advice of folks that recommend getting half a size larger than normal. Put on some wool socks and went for a 4 mile hike at Tenaja falls CA with a 30 lbs pack. No break in time, no hot spots. This boots are a light weight mountaineering boot. It’s stiffer than most but still has a bit flex so it’s not uncomfortable. The heel and tread design ensure good grip even in steep and loose ground. The lace system ensures that the boot conforms to the foot ensuring no hot spots or blisters. I’m glad I got them half a size larger. This gives me a bit of room so when I’m going down hill under heavy load my toes don’t hurt. I also like the included extra insoles. The fit with my sock combo make a perfect fit. I know that each person’s feet are different but these are great for me.Update:I used these boots for a three day trip in the Sierra Mountains just a bit lower than 7000 feet of elevation. Wend down and up on some very steep terrain with loose rocks and soil. The boots were awesome. Good grip, support for the ankles enough flex to be comfortable but stiff enough to support going uphill. If they provide waterproof I’ll say they are perfect.

I had been wearing Salomon Quest 4 hiking boots for years and loved their fit, comfort and overall performance. But, wanted something more rigid and supportive for rocky alpine treks. I was concerned that a stiffer boot would mean compromising comfort until I wore these Salewa Rapace GTX boots. I wear 9.5 in most shoes/boots and the 9.5 Rapace's fit great with the Salewa insoles that can customize the fit. The lacing system also provides great fine tuning. For me the true test of comfort and fit is hiking downhill and the Rapace's have been great on downslopes. The rigid sole also delivers solid support when walking over rocky terrain. I gained more confidence over the rocks the more I wore them knowing they could withstand the punishment. Traction has been fantastic as well with Vibram big lug tread and the great heel break. Overall, very happy with these boots and look forward to many miles in them!

A little history and context: I hike twice a week in Utah from desert to forest to alpine terrains with 4+ weekender backpacking trips per year. After purchasing the mountain trainer mid leather hiking boots four years ago (10.5) and wearing them for several seasons (they could probably still be re-soled), I opted for the Rapace GTX boots as a stiffer option with waterproofing at a high ankle level that allows me to skip a little less carefully through springtime streams. The toe-box cradles my narrow feet and I've never had a blister in either pair with up to 30 mile hiking days.I opened the box on the Rapace GTX boots and was confident enough that, apart from wearing them on only a couple of small 4 mile hikes, I felt comfortable wearing them relatively untested through Grand Gulch (23 miles over 3 days). No problem whatsoever.They have continued to out-perform as a solid gear component for another 2 seasons through every conceivable condition. Without hyperbole I say I've staked my life upon the performance of these boots and the grip of the Vibram sole.

It's hard to find much about these boots. I bought these and the Crow at the same time for different uses. The crow is a more robust boot with much less flex. However, the Rapace is stiff enough for most people in most conditions. The mid foot section is just a hair less stiff in the shank area than the crow. But these fit like a dream right out of the box. I am usually a size 11 and stayed with an 11 and they're perfect. They may feel tight before you lace them up, but that's normal. Length and width are perfect with my medium wide foot. The heel lock actually works. In fact, it works a little better in this than the crow (at least for now) and I think that is simply because the rear Achilles support comes a bit higher on the rapace, and the upper is a little more stiff on the crow and will require some more break in. Overall, amazing boots. I can't wait to actually use these on some trails.

I climb trees for a living so I was looking for a sturdy boot to get the job done. Overall they are holding up really well. No rips or tears. They hold up to gaffs really well. Nice for cutting on steep hillsides. The only issue I have is with the left boot. It is rubbing my pinky toe raw. I'm not sure what to do about this situation.