Arc’teryx Armored Its Cult Konseal Approach Shoe Into a Kevlar-Collared Trekking Boot

Arc’teryx will always be a hardshell brand first, but its footwear program has been finding its footing in a big way over the past few seasons. Few names in that lineup carry more credibility than the Konseal, which is the brand’s low-cut approach shoe that’s become a fixture at crags everywhere. Now that shoe has grown up, out, and over the ankle in the form of the new Konseal Trek Boot.

Interestingly enough, approach shoes exist because traditional hiking boots were miserable to scramble in. Climbers wanted something that could cover miles of trail without feeling like a cinder block attached to their feet, and Arc’teryx has run that logic in reverse here.

Arc’teryx does still file this silhouette under approach footwear. The intended use case is heavy packs, long hauls to the base, and terrain that swings from mud to loose scree to snow, all before the actual climbing starts.

The vamp is wrapped in PFC-free nubuck leather while the collar is woven from Kevlar. Arc’teryx uses molded TPU to shield both the toe and heel, with rubber overlays running up the sides to fend off rock abrasion.

Waterproofing comes courtesy of a Gore-Tex membrane in the brand’s Invisible Fit construction, which bonds the membrane directly to the upper rather than hanging a separate bootie inside.

Underfoot, there’s a carbon fiber shank to help stiffen the midfoot for load-hauling duty and a compression-molded EVA midsole (35mm at the heel, 22.5mm up front) keeps the ride from turning into a plank. The Vibram Megagrip outsole runs a multi-height tread with 5.1mm lugs, pairing a flatter forefoot zone for smearing rock with an aggressive heel for braking on soft descents.

All that armor adds up, though. At roughly 590 grams per boot, the Konseal Trek lands about a third heavier than its low-cut Gore-Tex sibling, which is simply the cost of doing business when Kevlar and carbon are materials of choice.

The Konseal Trek Boot is available now in both men’s and women’s sizing, offered in Black/Graphite and Mid Bracken/Graphite colorways for $280. Head over to Arc’teryx’s website to grab a pair, though some retailers are already showing pre-order status, so patience may be required.

Arc’teryx Konseal Trek Boot

Arc’teryx stretches its Konseal approach shoe into a mid-height, Gore-Tex trekking boot, complete with a woven Kevlar collar, carbon fiber shank, and Vibram Megagrip outsole for $280.

Learn More: Arc’teryx