The Scott Boulders also have a hardwearing, grippy Vibram sole, but with a heavier and chunkier tread pattern. In fact, the Boulders have a reassuringly robust feel to them.
There’s a good balance of padding, with gripper dots at the ankle to keep the shoe in place when you’re walking.
Teh shape is slightly long and thin but not tight on broader feet due to the extensive fabric over the toe.
Hard plastic strapping and lace anchoring points stabilise the shoe nicely though, as well as adding some bump protection.
There's a big rubber rand around the front to stop stubbed toes and a well padded heel cuff, too.
The fabric toe can be waterproofed with a spray which helps weatherproofing, but it's still cool in windchilled conditions. Cooler toes come summer is the obvious upside, though.
The combination of 'hidden' laces and wrapover strap works really well to stabilise fit without pressure points and the big tall heel tab never caused us any undue grief either.
As you'd expect, there's a female foot shaped 'lady' option, too.
This year’s model sees a slightly shinier, more sci-fi look than the previous ones, with some well placed reflective inserts to ensure that you’re visible at night, and the mesh uppers provide ample ventilation.
It’s a small point, but the removable plate uses a much harder – and slippier – plastic than the Vibram sole, with two raised lugs that tend to slide on floorboards. It’s only an issue if you’re using the shoes without SPD cleats though. The sole itself is one of the best around.
Old Review By Guy Kesteven
Scott's Boulder boot family is a long running one, but this evolved version is probably the best trail shoe they've made yet. While the All Mountain is broader than most shoes and the Urban is narrower, the Boulder sits somewhere in the middle.
The underside of the Vibram sole is good and chunky with plenty of grip and surefooted feel, and there's enough flex in the nose to make it a bearable walker without losing pedal push and cleat comfort. Weight and price are reasonable, too.