Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX Review

The Arcteryx Acrux TR GTX boot is a lightweight take on a classic hiking boot. Featuring solid ankle support, it is great for heavy-duty backpacking use but shaves some weight by using more modern materials. We found it to be a good performer across all of our review metrics.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Acrux TR is a relatively comfortable boot, though it did not impress us as much as the top-ranked hiking boots in our review. 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 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 expected and caused minor discomfort on the top of the toes before it was broken in.

Support

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.

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.

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.

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 compound called SuperFabric. This is a fabric combined with 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 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, our favorite budget model is the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof, which is a great all-around hiker.