AKU Tribute Suede GTX

I have the suede version. It's an OK boot, no major complaints, just not very thrilling.

These are the suede GTX Tributes. I bought these Tributes to temporarily replace my AKU Zeniths, which I love, and need resoling. I like what AKU is trying to do, and would like to give them a few chances.

First, the soft suede feels nice around the ankle, and also gives very little stability. I rolled my ankle several times while rockhopping up some talus recently. They also look good in public. The footbed feels hard, the factory insole is thin, and over multiple trail miles is hard on the ball of the foot, inviting deep calluses and bone bruising.

Although the inside sole feels hard, somehow I'm still able to feel the granite rubble challenging my feet on Sierra trails, and more recently the Trinity Alps. I wish the tongue came up higher, to give more padding to the front of the ankle. The suede is not the best material for snow.