www.regatta.com | £125
Regatta may not be the sexiest outdoor brand around but it sure knows how to knock out some great kit at competitive prices. At £125 the Alpha Pro VTX is, along with the Berghaus Explorer Ridge, a great option for those looking to buy footwear on a budget. It has an upper that’s a mixture of textile, satin PU and rubber and it’s fitted with a grippy Vibram sole.
The sole unit features a good combination of mud-plugging, deep-cut cleats and a more grippy, smoother area towards the toe for better performance on rock. For use in wet and muddy conditions the self-cleaning tread will be useful but we reckon that the Alpha Pro VTX is better suited to easier trails. The boot has a great natural curve to it, which will help keep the foot comfortable on long hikes, and the midsole flexes at the right point.
As we mentioned, the upper of the boot is a medley of textile and satin PU and it has a tough, protective rubber toe cap to protect the boot from scuffs and your foot from knocks. While the stiffened toe box is a welcome addition and it provides a certain level of protection, it’s not as stiff as some would like. It’s a similar story with the heel cup, but where there’s an absence of stiffness and support, comfort and padding is used effectively where it’s needed (around the ankle and the tongue).
The Alpha Pros are fitted with an Isotex XPT waterproof lining, Regatta’s more breathable techical version of its standard Isotex waterproofing. The lace system is great and it features a locking mechanism to prevent the laces from coming loose when you’re tying them up.
At £125 the Alpha Pro boots are a good buy if you’re shopping on a budget. While we’d prefer a more supportive and protective boot for via ferrata-ing or scrambling they’re comfortable to wear, have a good sole and will do you well on light hiking trips.
Regatta Alpha Pro VTX Verdict
Great value for the easier trails.