The Good: The beefy sole and superior lacing provide good support in uneven terrain.
The Bad: A stiff insole is noticeable when hiking many miles.
The Ugly: The “liquid rubber” on the toe wears easily.
If you were to classify the Men’s Mammut Teton GTX as a motorized vehicle it would fall into the small frame 4×4 category. You can think of the Tetons like a Willy’s jeep. These are going to be functional, able to take a beating, but they’re not the most plush ride over the long haul.
They have a stout Vibram sole that provides traction while scrambling down loose, rock-strewn trails. Mammut calls this their Capricorn Technology. According to Mammut the sole was “Modeled on the ibex, which demonstrates top climbing performance with its sickle-shaped hoof.”
The suede leather and abrasion resistant textile upper is a welcome choice. It provides durability and protection for the boot from punctures and tears or whatever the underbrush sends its way. The Gortex lining kept moisture out while testing them ankle deep in water for minutes on end. Mammut smartly reinforces the toe and heel sections of the Teton. These high-wear areas are covered with a “liquid rubber” for extra durability. Looks like they could have used a bit more, because the rubber on the left toe is already wearing through.
When you slip into the drivers seat of this rig, you will notice that the laces provide good control on where and how much to tighten. This is preferable for a guy like me with a narrow foot. In fact, the lace-up around the ankle is so effective that it makes it feel as if you are wearing a cast at times. Any rolled ankles over here? Zero. Nada. It’s just not going to happen with these.
How’s the ride inside? Well, a little stiff. It feels a little like wearing a plastic mold around. Not only is the midsole very stiff but the insole is as well. In fact, one day I was inspecting the shoe insole and inadvertently left one out. I wore the shoes for most of the day and didn’t even notice one was missing. Oops. I would have liked to see an insert with a little more padding.
The interior lining around the sidewalls is very comfortable though. It provides padding that engulfs your ankle. This adds a bit of a warmth factor too. However, they are clearly not a winter boot.
The Mammut Teton GTX is going to be one tough piece of footwear. If you’re going to be scrambling up and down rocky mountainsides and uneven trails, this boot will do the trick. If you’re a tenderfoot, though, you might want to look at something a bit more gentle. Ballet slippers, maybe.
Tags: backpacking footwear Gortex hiking vibram
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