Hitec VLite Mt Nevis boots

Mt Nevis boots come with water-repellent fabric

Product

Hitec VLite Mt Nevis boots

Promise

Lightweight hiking boots with Hi-Tec’s latest water-repelling fabric technology built in. The ‘ion mask’ features are supposedly waterproof and breathable. But does it work?

Performance

We took these boots to both extremes – hot and dry (a volcano in Guatamala) - and wet and cold (Oxfordshire on a very rainy afternoon). They are extremely breathable, with a really effective moisture-wicking lining that performed well even when the ground underneath was hitting temperatures of 40C. Grip was excellent on scree and mud, and taking them through a couple of streams and ditches caused the ion mask technology no problems. The foot stayed dry even after a solid dousing in a brook or two.

Verdict

You can’t believe everything you read about light fabric boots being waterproof, and we’ve been disappointed in the past. On both our outings, however, the Mt Nevis boots seemed to take water in their stride, and come out clean and dry. Prolonged soaking in a humid atmosphere might hinder this, but for a light boot that needs no breaking in, you’re getting a great deal for your money.