Moving up the boot, we now spot one big change – the previous AKU Pilgrim GTX MK 2 had the Air8000 system for the upper textiles. This doesn’t. Instead the Pilgrim GTX FG has 100% HT Polyamide 6.6 Cordura which gives high abrasion resistance and is breathable and water resistant.

Stand on the A4 paper with your heel pressed firmly against the wall and your foot pointed forward with the edge of your big toe aligned with the edge of the paper. Underneath the insole of the Pilgrim GTX FG is the 3D Midsole which is designed like a cradle to support the foot rather than again, just a flat surface for it to rest awkwardly on. The boot really does feel very comfortable and does an excellent job of cushioning and supporting the foot throughout, be it walking over rough terrain or running like the legend you are, it keeps the impact to a manageable level. Although it’s advertised as a military boot, which it’s more than suitable for, it’s also a truly fantastic outdoor boot which makes sense when you look at the heritage of the manufacturer. We all know that we often carry substantially more weight than 45kg, but it doesn’t mean the Pilgrim GTX FG will fail, it just means that the increase in compression on the midsole, etc, may cause a slight dip in the comfort and support provided.

Come back when you're older

Based on the original AKU Navy Seal boot, Trekitt have joined forces with AKU, the Italian boot manufacturers to help develop a new style of boot designed for regular military use, aimed at the British army. Aku Italia is a family business that was originally founded in the '70s and got its current name in 1985. The hometown is Montebelluna in northern Italy, near the beautiful Mediterranean shores and vineyards but also close to the Alps and the heart of Europe. It’s no surprise then to find out that those expectations are reached and surpassed, with the AKU Pilgrim Desert being phenomenally comfortable to wear and giving excellent support over undulating terrain, wet ground and snowy hills. The AKU Pilgrim Desert also weighs in at 1326g for a pair, which whilst it sounds a lot, is barely noticeable due to the good fit. Manufactured according to UK sizes, to which they are true. The last is fairly wide and the toes have a generous allowance. If you want a tighter fit, consider half a size smaller. Pro tip: if you already own Salomon Forces series footwear, these seem very close to their sizes in our experience.

Proved on duty and in operation the Pilgrim has become the boot of choice for specialist armed forces and emergency services throughout the world and is available in 6" ankle and 9" high leg versions. If you can see this amount of space then you are pretty much on the way to making sure that your boots are the correct size. This space between your toes and the end of the footbed ensures that you will not stub your toes on the inside of the boot when you descend. This can be excruciatingly painful. If you can’t see this amount of space then it’s a good bet that the boots will be too small. The company has such an approach to quality, that it might as well be German or Swiss. The design involves 3D modeling and other current technologies harnessed to make a better product, and as the workers are skilled shoemakers with a refined manual touch, it wouldn't make sense to have them work on inferior pieces; the leather, rubber, and other selected top-grade materials can be traced all the way to the source by Aku.This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister. Update 17 Oct 2022: finally some rain, which kept my feet dry and yesterday I waded ankle deep in the local mere whilst walking the dog: the dog's feet got wet, mine didn't. We'll see how they hold up over time. To replace these abominations, we can wave in a new era with the, rankly and in terms of issue boots, the revolutionary Pilgrim GTX FG in MOD Brown, otherwise known as Combat High Liability Boot. This is the High Leg version of the hugely successfulAKUPilgrimGTXboot. These boots are exclusive toTrekittin the UK and were developed from the originalAKUNavy Seal to provide a stable and supportive multi-purpose 9" ankle boot with a full Gore-Tex lining for complete waterproofing and unparalleled breathability. The Pilgrim range of boots have been used throughout the world by special forces and emergency services for effective rapid intervention work and specialist operations.

Finally, we can all stand, arms around shoulders and heads bowed as we remember our dear friend, Combat Assault Boots (CAB), which were designed with the shareholders of Kiwi boot polish in mind. Still basic, it had a somewhat better design that those gone before but was, still, ultimately, crap. Now that your boots are done up properly stand up on your tiptoes and walk on the spot on the balls of your feet as if you are walking up a steep hill. If your heels lift more than approximately 5mm from the footbed you may need to pull the laces tighter, or the boots may just be the wrong shape for you. They look great, caused immense pain, but look like the same quality as the AKUs that lasted until they had holes through the sole. Down the bottom of the inside, we have the insole itself which is a curved and ergonomic style, nothing too fancy but better than many of the old issue insoles you’d get (Green feet graters anyone?). It doesn’t hold a smell and so the hygiene of the boot is kept to quite a high level, though again you can always swap this out with an Ortholite or whatever your fancy is. The face fabric is a tough 3D woven nylon constructed with a raised and increased surface area which provides outstanding abrasion resistance. The combination of these technologies allows the Pilgrim DS M2 to breathe 11 times better than any of its competitors.Based on the AKU Pilgrim GTX Mk II, which was a frankly stonking bit of footwear, the new Pilgrim GTX FG is possibly one of the first examples of an issue boot matching it’s retail brother almost to a mirror view. Before however we start slavering with excitement, let’s start from the beginning.

The high leg version of the renowned AKU Pilgrim with improved breathability and drying thanks to the new Gore-Tex Performance Lining with a perforated EVA interlining. The extra 3" of height adds valuable support when navigating uneven terrain. The footbed, which sits just above the sole is a Cambrelle Ehtylene-vinyl acetate model, again another strong brand name with decades of experience to fling at a boot. We can see that for once, cost doesn’t appear to have been the overriding factor in the contract specification for a new general issue boot. How refreshing! The Pilgrim boots are made in Aku's factory in Serbia. Aku is very strict and careful about the quality of their products and the requirements are met in the Balkans, where boots are made to the sound of Turbofolk. Care and warranty The treads have a decent pronouncement from the sole which gives the Pilgrim GTX FG better grip and increases longevity against wear and tear and the boot is designed and tested around supporting a weight of 45kgs. This is the brand new Pilgrim FG GTX model based on the AKU Pilgrim M2 GTX. Trekitt were instrumental in getting this boot on the issue list and we are immensely proud that a boot we originally designed in partnership with AKU is now officially recognised by the MOD.

Confirm your age

So with a pair of these boots on, your feet and conscience are as clear as the blue sky, promise! The Danish, British, and Swiss armed forces buy Aku boots, and they don't accept poor pieces of gear. (Well maybe the Brits sometimes do.) This is the new Mark 2 version of the hugely successful AKU Pilgrim GTX boot. These boots are exclusive to Trekitt in the UK and were developed from the original AKU Navy Seal to provide a stable and supportive multi-purpose 6" ankle boot with a full Gore-Tex lining for complete waterproofing and unparalleled breathability. The Pilgrim range of boots have been used throughout the world by special forces and emergency services for effective rapid intervention work and specialist operations. The Pilgrim is based on the Aku NS564 combat boots, which were developed according to specific requirements by the US Navy Seals. This spin-off model has become more popular than the original due to changes that make it more versatile and comfortable: the shaft is a slight bit longer and the last is wider. Hidden from view are a waterproof membrane and extra cushioning of the sole for long marches.