So I was not surprised to see news earlier this year that the British army has made the Pilgrims their new combat boot for high liability situations.

Whilst a Gore-Tex membrane might stop your feet from getting wet, the fabric of the boot retains water. Hopefully you enjoyed it and if you have any thoughts or comments related to this article then leave a comment! At first the wet and rain might have been a bit much for a lot of boots, but the Pilgrims tackled the water easily. However, with those two caveats in mind I will happily use these boots as a 2/3 season boot in non-mountainous terrain.

A hugely capable boot designed for the purpose and with the addition of the Pilgrim DS to the range you can be assured of a consistent fit whatever the conditions demand. After I got to hold a pair of similar AKU’s as the pilgrims at the TAD Dogpatch Warehouse a few years back I was sold. Thanks to these features, Pilgrim GTX Combat FG M performs well in stability for demanding and dynamic conditions.

I cannot vouch for the quality of boots produced inside that contract, especially with regards to the significant drop in quality experienced with the Altberg Boots.In technical terms the Pilgrim MK2 boots are a 6″ ankle boot (with a higher model available too), with suede leather reinforced upper part and lace eyelets. So even if this review is about the earlier version of the boots, all the information is still quite viable when considering the newer version. Then came the freezing cold and high snows, which too did not pose any kind of a challenge for the AKU boots. Featuring a durable full-grain leather upper, these boots provide exceptional abrasion resistance and protection against the elements.

Shoe uppers with malleolus protection inserts, insole insert in anti-perforation fabric, antistatic construction and anti-slip treading, as well as internal foot protection designed for fast-roping. To put it in context - I am ex Army Air Corps and have served all over the world in various roles including aircrew, and have worn all manner of boots, both issued and privately purchased.The heavier duty Vibram outsole features deeper lugs for improved grip on a variety of terrain and has a built-in rocker to produce a stable and progressive walking platform. The Pilgrim represents the latest in technological design providing market-leading support and all weather performance with maximum comfort of fit for marching, tabbing, sprinting and climbing. Using feedback from Military personnel, Trekitt worked closely with AKU to develop this extremely popular range. The Pilgrim FG (FG stands for full grain, as in the leather used on the lace placket) provides a supportive and stable platform for Combat High Liability duties.

And I wish I could say that I was proven wrong, but man, those Salomon’s sure are comfy as hell, albeit they are fragile as hell too. It is worth noting that in natural light these boots are a much darker brown than they appear in photographs online. Offers moderate insulation to keep feet dry and comfortable during outdoor activities in a variety of weather conditions. It is also worth noting that these boots were made in Romania rather than the Italian factories, and are not part of the MOD Contract fabrication. The sole is a Vibram Foura which has the logo in black (being a military boot), and which has a good aggressive tread pattern.

The wide sole version of the PILGRIM GTX Combat FG M is a true multi-purpose highly breathable boot with outstanding support, stability and impact absorption. The weight tells about the quality of the construction of the Pilgrims, that they are not made in a hurry or with shoddy craftsmanship. So much in fact that when the time comes to give up my current pair (which is not going to come any time soon, no matter how many kilometres I walk in these, these will last a long while.