The Ascender Low HT from Helly Hansen is a really good all-rounder for hikers who require a nimble but stable and supportive shoe, writes Mike Gormley.
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These Ascender walking shoes are my first, and long awaited, items of footwear from Helly Hansen; especially having had the opportunities to use a lot of HH gear, which I like and always find good and fit for purpose.
My first, and only, ‘pop’ at Helly Hansen is that their footwear sizes only go up to Size UK12.5UK (US13 or EU48). I take size 13UK and these days many footwear providers cover this and beyond; surely there are many ‘Scandiwegian’ men with larger feet. Probably this why I have not previously given HH footwear a try, which is a shame as they have a significant range.
¤ The toe section is also well-protected as expected for a shoe which is to be used for rugged walking [© MG]
Recently I decided to take a risk with the smaller size as a couple of catalogue items came up in the travel and walking area which really took my fancy, so first up are these Ascender Low HT. They are really nice and although for me the UK12.5 are not generous in size, they have proved to be a perfectly wearable fit – especially as I have now worn them quite a bit and they have settled into my foot size… or vice versa. This is great as these shoes are really good.
¤ Safe descent is as important as climbing grip and the Ascenders offer both [© JG]
Very practical for many uses, from day-to-day wear to lower-level walks, the soles offer very good sure-footed grip which to me is one of the base requirements. There are plenty enough ways to miss your footing without the soles of your footwear not helping. These soles have the HH Arch Brace which makes them very supportive, really coming into its own when tackling rocky coastal walks and traversing mountain tracks; particularly when you are on toe tips on a rock, the Ascender supports you well. The grip lugs on the sole are substantial and cover the entire contact area so should last well as well in addition to affording good grip.
So moving up from the soles which we now know support and grip and are shaped to help provide some protection for the lower foot the uppers, although of course limited a bit by the fact they are ‘low’ by design, are waterproof through using Helly Tech membrane. Looking through the list of features on these shoes there is no question at all these are a HH designed and made product as nearly every specification feature has a Helly Hansen registered trademark on it. Also many of the materials are wholly or part recycled, which is always a good thing.
I have worn these on some warm day walks, as well as during city outings, and the quoted breathability works in keeping the feet comfortable. The Ascenders are a really good item of footwear that offer a wide range of potential uses so ideal for travel and significant rough trail walking. They are also light in weight.
The colour of this pair is Utility Green and Black. They are available in half sizes from UK 6.5 up to UK12.5.
[images © Jean or Mike Gormley]
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