AKU Conero GTX NBK hiking boots review: conquer the trail with Italian flair

For outdoor enthusiasts and serious hikers, finding the perfect pair of hiking boots is essential for both grip and comfort. Without the right hiking boot – or shoe for that matter – chances are your dream trek will turn into a nightmare. And that’s the last thing you need when you’re miles from home.

Constructed using high-quality materials with distinctive Italian craftsmanship, the ankle-high AKU Conero GTX NBK boots we’re reviewing here cater to hikers of all ability and pretty much anyone else seeking functionality, style and excellent water resistance when hitting the great outdoors.

Although they are admittedly pricey, we still reckon they deserve an elevated slot in our guide to the best walking boots for both men and women. Let’s slip ‘em on and take them for a test drive.

AKU Conero GTX NBK hiking boots review

Price and availability

If you live in the UK, head for the AKU website where the Conero GTX NBK retails for £275. Alternatively, try Absolute Snow (£219.95) and TrekInn (£210.99). If the standard non-Nubuck version tickles your fancy, again visit the AKU website where they sell for £245.

If you live Stateside, your best bet is the US AKU store where a slightly different version called the Superalp NBK GTX retails at $400.

Specifications

• Upper: Nubuck 1.8 mm
• Upper protection: Rubber band
• Outsole: Vibram Fourà
• Lining: Gore-Tex Performance Comfort
• Weight: 655g (average across the size curve)
• Available colours: Brown Nubuck (fabric version also available)
• Gender specification: Unisex
• Size range: UK – 6 to 12½; EU – 39.5 to 47

Design and features

The AKU Conero GTX are available in two styles: a suede/fabric option and the beautiful NBK Nubuck version we’re reviewing here. Let’s drill into some of the design details.

Straight out of the box the Conero’s deep brown leather screams classic styling and high-end Italian quality, and I love the contrasting light and dark shades the tanning process has produced. In fact they look a lot more lush in the flesh than they do in images. Also, the quality of the heavy duty stitching and overall build quality suggests that these boots will last for years without losing their shape.

When it comes to waterproofness, few shoe and boot compounds can compete with leather for reliability in wet conditions, whether it’s walking in long dewey grass or stepping into a stream up to your ankles. Well, aside from all that Nubuck leather, the Coneros are also equipped with a one-inch (2.5cm) band of high-quality scruff-free rubber that has been so well affixed to the lower section of the boot that you sense it will remain in position forever. This rubber band essentially provides up to two inches of complete water protection between the bottom of the heel and the leather.

For those OCD owners who always feel the need to go through the process of having any new product remain in tip-top condition for as long as possible – even if the product is designed for the purposes of getting muddy within the first hour of ownership – having an easily cleaned rubber protection band could be considered a bonus. At least until you encounter your first swamp-like conditions in which case all thoughts of caring for your new boots go right out the window. As they should.

But I digress. For added water protection, the Conero’s tongue is constructed using a strip of Nubuck at the front and backed entirely by an incredibly soft and wide waterproof leather gusset that’s expertly stitched into both the sides of the boot so that water and debris has zero chance of getting anywhere near your socks. Add a full inner layer of Gore-Tex into the mix and you have not only one of the most waterproof designs on the market, but a decent amount of breathability, too, which you will come to appreciate after spending a few hours trudging across the tundra.

Heading to the lacing section, you get four pairs of closed gunmetal eyelets and three pairs of hooks near the top allowing you the option to lace these boots up anyway you like; whether all the way up for extra ankle protection over uneven ground or lower down for long walking stretches on even paths and uphill sections where you need more ankle relief. The nylon/polyester laces themselves are 4mm in width and long enough to be double bowed with length to spare.

As you might expect from a hiking boot, the Coneros feel firm and secure under foot with some flexibility in the rubber Vibram Fourà outsole which provides full protection against sharp objects of any kind. Vibram Fourà is a hugely popular Italian-branded rubber material for trekking shoes and is known for its high grip, excellent traction and durability on a wide variety of terrains.

By their very nature, leather ankle boots can take a while to wear in and one of their biggest issues is usually flexibility in the upper foot area. Well, you’ll be pleased to know that these boots come fitted with two soft bendy strips of dark brown leather between the sections of tougher Nubuck. One of them is near the top of the tongue where the ankle joins the foot and the other is positioned on the boot’s upper, roughly where your toes join the ball of the foot.

Both of these strips make it noticeably easier to bend the foot but the one positioned above the toes is a game changer since it adds crucial flexibility when walking uphill and especially when scaling rocky mountain terrain. And speaking of rocky terrain, the aforementioned rubber band around the lower upper is further strengthened at the toe with a very grippy slab of contoured rubber that provides excellent purchase when climbing rocks and boulders.

Comfort and performance

Foot comfort is where the AKU Conero GTX NBK really shines. The boots feature an anatomical fit system that moulds to the natural shape of the foot, reducing pressure points and offering supreme support. The heavily padded collar and soft tongue also enhance comfort, especially during long days on the trail. However, as I point out below, the collar area can feel overly stiff, especially if you’re not used to taller ankle boots.

The wide toe box is another welcome feature since it not only accommodates wider feet but also allows the toes to splay naturally without feeling cramped. This is especially beneficial on downhill sections when toes tend to slide forward. Underfoot, the double-density EVA midsole provides excellent shock absorption and cushioning, whether you’re carrying a heavy backpack or navigating uneven terrain.

I tested these boots in a local woodland with undulating terrain, a few streams and some rocky sections. The Vibram Fourà outsole delivered dependable traction on a variety of surfaces – from loose gravel to wet rock – while the deep, multi-directional treads provided great purchase on softer terrain. They have also proved to be exceptionally waterproof no matter how far the boot is submerged.

Although the boots' medium-stiff lasting board provides a good balance of flexibility and support, I still found them a little too stiff for my liking but then I only weigh 60 kilos. Also, because I have such skinny legs I found that the very soft but thick leather padding around the ankle area tended to add pressure to the outer side of my lower shins which would become too intolerant for me if on a really long walk, unless I lowered the lacing to the last of the enclosed eyelets. But then I’ve always been more a fan of hiking shoes and low cutaway ankle boots than the mid-to-high variety.

However, the entire foot bed was amazingly comfortable at all times and I put some of that down to the soft padded material that encases the entire interior of the boot. In this regard they are like wearing a pair of gloves. At 723g for the UK size 8 (EU42) version I was sent, they didn’t feel too heavy either. At least for a leather boot.

I should also add that I used these boots with a pair of Darn Tough Micro Crew padded Merino wool socks I was also sent, and they are far-and-away the warmest and most comfortable socks I have ever worn. You should try them.

Verdict

The AKU Conero GTX NBK hiking boots are a solid choice for demanding medium-length treks to long-distance hikes. With their premium Nubuck leather, Gore-Tex waterproof lining and Vibram sole, they offer excellent durability, comfort, grip and weather protection. And although these boots provide reliable ankle support and cushioning for carrying heavy loads on rugged terrain, they will feel a bit stiff out of the box so will definitely need breaking in before hitting the trails proper.