Särmä TST Alpina Trapper 4-Tac Boots
Here's a pair of robust and waterproof combat boots for all kinds of demanding use, especially in arctic environments and all Nordic seasons - three seasons in warmer areas. Featuring improvements of our own over the basic model, this boot offers maximum protection for your feet thanks to better material and insulation.
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Here's a pair of robust and waterproof combat boots for all kinds of demanding use, especially in arctic environments and all Nordic seasons - three seasons in warmer areas. Featuring improvements of our own over the basic model, this boot offers maximum protection for your feet thanks to better material and insulation.
We deemed the Alpina Trapper a promising platform to turn our visions of this kind of boots into reality. The main material is now mil-spec box leather that offers superior strength against stretch and tearing forces and has a better finish. Special insulation inside the sole was swapped from polyester to an insulating gel by PrimaLoft to prevent heat convection from your feet to the ground.
The result is a high-quality piece of footwear, designed according to real-life experience and demands from the end-user perspective, and made in Europe.
Country of manufacture: Slovenia.
Size information
Manufactured in true UK sizes. The last is fairly regular, not narrow nor wide. The boots have clearance for double socks.
The conversions from UK to EU are made about half a size up; for example, UK 8.5 is actually EU 42 but labeled 42.5 by Alpina. This makes about 3 mm of a difference (1/8") but the boots have proper toe clearance - long story short, you can safely choose the boots in either size system.
The US-size? Simple: UK-size +1, e.g. UK 8.5 is US 9.5. Note! The labels on the boots and box indicate only a half-size difference between UK and US sizes. That's not how shoe sizes work, pay no attention to that. The difference between UK and US shoe sizes is one full size.
Alpina size table
Materials and construction
The 4-Tac suffix is not just a decoration tacked on but comes with improvements specified by us:
- Top: Mil-Spec Box Leather
- Midsole: Injected PU
- Sole insulation: A-1000F PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Aerogel
- Sole attachment: molded, not glued
- Insole: Included, and it's a good one
- Weight: 1.9 kg / 4.18 lbs (size EU 42 / US 9, pair)
The Sympatex membrane ensures complete waterproofness and is also a very durable membrane, which is good considering the level of stresses inside the boot. Sole attachment: molded.
On the usual stiffness scale from 1 to 4, the Trapper 4-Tac is level 3. It's a rigid hiking boot with a coarse tread, made for moving on difficult trails while carrying heavy loads. It is not, however, a super-stiff mountain boot. Thanks to the sole shaping, it rolls well over hard surfaces as well.
Care of Gore-Tex etc. Boots
We recommend that you read our shoe and bootcare article. You should not use the regular shoe polish for waterproof membrane boots and shoes, instead use the stuff specifically designed for them. Regular grease/polish can block the holes in the membrane after which they won't breathe anymore.
Varusteleka Särmä TST
Särmä TST is Varusteleka's in-house brand of clothing and gear designed for military and law enforcement end-users. Our clothing and equipment are made in co-operation with a number of experienced manufacturers with a strong background in producing clothing and gear for military and law enforcement officials, most notably for the Finnish Defence Forces. For further reading check out the Varusteleka's Särmä TST page and Särmä TST Clothing System article.
Särmä TST products are covered by a 12-month warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. For further information please read our detailed warranty guide.
Recommendations
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Reviews
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recommends
does not recommend
26 ratings
Reno L. 22.10.2020 Verified purchase
Juuso J. 26.10.2020 Verified purchase
Anon 17.12.2020 Verified purchase
Lauri R. 09.01.2021 Verified purchase
Yinette H. 13.01.2021 Verified purchase
Fit and feel:
I've not had a boot fit more perfectly on the first put on than these things, it's almost like a slipper if you can get the size right. I take a 45 ( 10.5 UK ) which seems to be the sweet spot for me. However other comments in Finnish warn that a larger size up is probably more appropriate for thicker socks. I'll need to wear mine with winter socks before I can properly comment on this aspect.
The internal padding is a firm but soft material so unless you need prescription insoles I wouldn't bother putting ones in these boots. As with all leather boots they start off stiff, but after about an hour or so they became more comfortable, and will become more comfortable over time. Walking with these is a dream, I've yet to do a long hike with these but I really don't see them being an issue as compared to my old model volunteer rural fire service issued boots which these are replacing. (Getting new models issued, just want to keep work and play separate if you know what I mean)
Performance:
The water proofing so far is excellent. I've yet to truly submerge them, but was able to freely walk into about 10-15cm (4-6 Inches) of river water without ingress. The protective Sympatex water proofing is outstanding and will make cleaning these when they eventually get really muddy (and they damn well will) a breeze. I only foresee a hose down directly after and possibly just a brush off of anything dry afterwards.
Build:
The build quality for mine is excellent, I saw someone (in Finnish) had some issues with theirs being squeaky, I did not have this issue, so I hope that is a one-off! The boots are really solid, like a tank. With good leather care and airing these boots will last me years and years, and I intend to give good care to them proportionate to the abuse they go through :)
I'll have to update this review the further down the line I am with these boots, but so far really happy with these. They're pricey but with a bit of size research and proper care you're making a good investment that I think will last you a good long while.
(Rating is 4.5/5 as the 0.5 is not really what I can comment on now, but suffice to say I am really impressed with these so far)
Anonymous customer 29.01.2021 ⚠ Unverified purchase
Antti S. 03.02.2021 Verified purchase
Mikko K. 05.02.2021 Verified purchase
Loppui palelut kerrasta, pohjien liukkaudesta moni on valitellut, mutta yhtä paskoja ne kaikki kengät on peilijäällä, liukkaita kelejä varten kannattaa hommata ketjut erikseen. Paksun pohjan ja kivirantin myötä ei tarvi eden pelätä, että nahkaan tulisi kiinnityksistä edes jälkiä. Hiihtämiseen ehkä inansa liian jäykkä alkuun, mutta kaikki hyvä ajallaan.
Juha L. 18.02.2021 Verified purchase
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