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.
Editor's Note: This review was updated on February 23, 2022 with added info to help better compare products.Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Lightweight for their beefiness, good traction and stability, good all-around performance
Cons: Questionable durability, expensive
Manufacturer: Arc'teryx
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
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Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Price | $250.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $229.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $298.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $100.69 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Lightweight for their beefiness, good traction and stability, good all-around performance | Top-level hiking boot performance, excels in all metrics | Best choice for rock and snow travel, durable, breathes well | Incredibly lightweight, comfortable | Well-cushioned, waterproof, durable |
Cons | Questionable durability, expensive | Expensive, not as great for hot and dry climates | Wider fit, not the best lace locking system, price | Less durable than heavier models, thin sole | Heavy for their height, feet get especially sweaty |
Bottom Line | A quality boot that uses advanced materials to shed weight | The gold standard of what a great hiking boot should be, and we heartily recommend it for those seeking the best possible performance on and off the trail | For rocky alpine approaches and moderate snow travel, this model is a lightweight mountain boot disguised as a hiking boot | This mid-top hiking boot is ridiculously lightweight, though it offers excellent stability and traction for fast and light objectives | This affordable boot is super comfortable right out of the box and has the durability to go the distance |
Rating Categories | Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX | Salomon X Ultra Mid... | Merrell Moab 2 Mid... |
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Stability (20%) | |||||
Traction (15%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
Durability (10%) | |||||
Specs | Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX | Salomon X Ultra Mid... | Merrell Moab 2 Mid... |
Weight (per pair) | 2.60 lbs (size 11) | 2.90 lbs (size 11) | 2.65 lbs (size 11) | 1.85 lbs (size 11) | 2.48 lbs (size 10.5) |
Boot Type | Midweight hiker/lightweight mountaineering boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot |
Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular and wide |
Waterproof Lining | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | M Select DRY |
Upper | SuperFabric/epoxy-based resin | Leather and nylon | 1.8mm suede perwanger | PU coated leather | Suede leather, mesh |
Last Board/Shank | TPU Chassis | 4D Chassis | BZ last | Molded shank | Nylon arch shank |
Midsole | Injected EVA/4mm OrthoLite inserts | EnergyCell | PU + 3D EVA-MP | SensiFit | EVA |
Sole | Vibram MegaGrip | Contagrip | Vibram Drumlin / Mont | Contagrip | Vibram TC5+ rubber |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Comfort
The Acrux TR is a relatively comfortable boot, though it did not impress us as much as our award-winning models. 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 an 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 would have expected and causes some minor discomfort on the top of the toes before it is broken in.
Stability
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.
Traction
Using the same Vibram MegaGrip sole that many 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.
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.
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.
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 fabric called SuperFabric, which is a fabric combined 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.
Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX?
The Arc'teryx 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.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
It's hard to go wrong with our overall favorite boot, the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex. 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, though, our favorite budget model is the Keen Targhee II Mid, which is a great all-around hiker.
— Ryan Huetter
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