All of our products go through a rigorous testing programme to ensure they meet our very high quality standards and to guarantee they are fit for purpose.


John White from High Point is one of our external testers. Last year he was also our location guide in the Dolomites for our Spring Summer photoshoot. From day one of the shoot he spotted our new lightweight Lithium XCR boot designed for lightweight performance whilst walking and trekking. Since then he has been harassing us for a pair to test. We caught up with John during his initial testing period to find out whether it was worth the wait.

"I couldn't wait to put the boots on. The fit was precise and snug. It's as near to the perfect fit for my foot. Good lacing system, the laces ran smoothly through the lower part of the lacing system making it easy to get the correct tension. A nicely padded and comfortable tongue. First impressions were excellent and a couple of hours later I had to be reminded by my wife that I was wearing boots in the house!"

So, the next day saw me walking and mountain biking in Mabie Forest near Dumfries and I had every confidence that the Lithium's would provide genuine 'out of the box comfort'. I was not disappointed - absolute comfort, extremely lightweight and good grip on all the forest surfaces.

The spring-like weather in Dumfreisshire spurred me on to make arrangements to have a walk out to Sharp Edge on Blencathra the next day, which would provide a sterner test for the Lithium's.

Blencartha is a great mountain, easily accessible and with some of the best ridges in the Lakes. The ascent from Scales can be made in several ways, but the more pleasant by far is via the rising traverse in Mousethwaite Comb - the more direct ascent onto Scales fell further left is by comparison hideously steep and unpleasant. After some rain, the path was damp in places and quite muddy, but the Lithium's sole unit coped well in the conditions and was as sure footed as any other sole would have been. Ribbons of snow still clung to the gullies and hollows above Scales Tarn and the remnants of a small landslide dirtied the hillside along with the remnants of an old avalanche. A short walk from the tarn leads to the start of Sharp Edge and a few steeper bits which you can scramble up to avoid the path. Then, the angle eases and the ridge becomes pronounced and unavoidable. I have always enjoyed Sharp Edge and in good conditions it all seems very easy, and I make a point of sticking to the very crest of it all the way. However, in wet or icy conditions it is a very different proposition. The rock is polished and feels soapy when damp, and in places a slip can be catastropic - several fatalities have occurred here in recent years. At the end of the flat section of ridge, a steeper scramble leads to easier ground and the summit plateau, from where some large cornices still clung to the edge overlooking Scales Tarn.

So - a tough test for the Lithium's and really taking them out of their usage zone but one which they passed with flying colours. Comfortable all day, the sole gripped well on the rock and steep grass and the ultra-light weight was a real bonus. I will continue to test this boot to see how they perform over a longer period of time, I will keep you updated on my testing results."

John White

www.mountainguides.co.uk

Want to do Sharp Edge with a guide? - contact John White at info@mountain guides.co.uk