Crispi Boots NZ — Italian Craftsmanship for NZ Hunting and Tramping
When Alessandro Marcolin founded Crispi in the Dolomite mountains of northeastern Italy over 40 years ago, he had a clear philosophy: build boots the right way, by hand, using the finest materials. That philosophy hasn't changed. Today, Crispi remains one of the most respected names in serious outdoor footwear — worn by hunters, trampers, and mountain guides across some of the world's most demanding terrain.
New Zealand is exactly the kind of place Crispi was made for. Our bush is dense, wet, and unforgiving. Our alpine zones demand solid ankle support and reliable traction. Our high country stalking terrain throws everything at your feet — river crossings, scree, tussock, and mud — often on the same day. Crispi boots are engineered for all of it.
At Dwights NZ, we stock the full Crispi range because we believe in the brand completely. If you're serious about your time outdoors, you need boots that match that commitment. Browse the full Crispi collection at Dwights.
Why Crispi? The Brand Behind the Boot
Crispi's roots are in Vallesella di Cadore, a small village in the Italian Dolomites with a centuries-old tradition of boot making. Alessandro Marcolin built Crispi on the craftsmanship of that region — hand-lasting, triple-stitched rubber rands, Italian full-grain leathers — using techniques that prioritise durability and fit over mass production.
Every Crispi boot is still made in Italy. That matters. Italian boot making is a discipline, not a marketing claim. The lasts are developed over years. The leather is selected for grain and density. The stitching is reinforced at stress points. The result is a boot that performs where others fail.
Crispi also invests heavily in proprietary technologies — Thermo Wire Technology (TWT) for adjustable fit, the Ankle Bone Support System (ABSS) for lateral stability, and the EFX Elastoflex sole for ultralight performance. These aren't borrowed technologies: they're Crispi's own.
Why Crispi Suits New Zealand Conditions
New Zealand's outdoors is genuinely varied and often harsh. The conditions that make this country beautiful — the big rivers, the wet bush, the exposed ridgelines — are exactly what chews through inferior footwear.
Waterproofing that actually works. Every Crispi boot in our range features a genuine Gore-Tex lining — either Gore-Tex Extended Comfort or Gore-Tex Insulated Comfort depending on the model. Whether you're crossing a stream in Fiordland or pushing through dew-soaked scrub in the Kaweka Range, that waterproofing is real and reliable.
Leather built for wet environments. Most Crispi boots use full-grain or waxy Nubuck leather — both chosen for their natural water resistance and ability to condition over time. In NZ's persistent damp, this matters more than it does in drier climates.
Stability on technical terrain. NZ hunting terrain demands serious ankle support. Scree slopes, steep sidling, loose shale — your footwear needs to hold your ankle and give you confidence on variable ground. Crispi's ABSS technology, high-cut designs, and stiff shanks address this directly.
Outsoles for real traction. Whether it's Vibram soles or Crispi's own Super Grip compound, every boot is designed for the kind of mixed terrain NZ trampers and hunters actually encounter. Not groomed tracks — real country.
See the full range and compare models.
The Crispi Range: Boot by Boot
Hiking and Tramping
Crispi Futura CX GTX — Crispi's flagship. Built from premium waxy Nubuck leather with a 360° triple-stitched rubber rand, handcrafted in Italy to an exceptionally high standard. This is the boot for those who want the best — whether for multi-day tramping, NZ bush hunting, or trekking in demanding alpine conditions.
Crispi Summit GTX — Designed for trekking and backpacking, the Summit GTX delivers Italian construction and Gore-Tex waterproofing in a rugged mid-to-high cut package. Solid enough for loaded packs, comfortable enough for long days. A strong choice for NZ Great Walks or Fiordland expeditions.
Crispi Valdres EVO GTX — Features Crispi's proprietary Thermo Wire Technology (TWT), a unique system that allows fine-tuning of fit across the upper. Lightweight and mid-cut, it's a versatile boot suited to a wide range of tramping styles.
Hunting and Stalking
Crispi Nevada Legend GTX — Crispi's most iconic boot. A direct descendant of the original boot Alessandro Marcolin designed over 40 years ago — the boot that established Crispi's reputation. Still handcrafted in Italy. If you want one boot that represents everything Crispi stands for, this is it.
Crispi Hunter GTX — High-leg, Nubuck leather, Gore-Tex Insulated Comfort lining, and the Ankle Bone Support System. Built to protect your ankle on NZ's steep sidling country and keep your feet dry through a full day in the bush.
Crispi Super Granite GTX — An ankle-height hunting boot with ABSS support and Gore-Tex Insulated lining. Built from Nubuck leather and suited for hunters who want quality construction in a lower-cut profile. Works well for trekking and hunting applications alike.
Crispi Attiva Mid GTX — The lightest boot in the Crispi hunting range at just 390g, built around the EFX Elastoflex sole for minimal ground impact. Designed for stalking and bow hunting — situations where silence and light footfall matter as much as support.
Alpine and All-Terrain
Crispi Granite Plus GTX — Built for alpine hunting and trekking on rocky terrain. Stiff, supportive, and rugged enough for NZ's most demanding high-country environments. Comes with a free boot care gift pack when purchased through Dwights.
Crispi Titan GTX — Ultralight high-leg design using Thermo Wire Technology, waxy Nubuck leather, and a Vibram Low Impact sole. Exceptional support at low weight — a strong choice for NZ alpine traverses or backcountry hunting where every gram counts.
Crispi Dakota GTX — Rugged all-terrain construction with the CCF Cross Comfort Fit system and Super Grip outsole. Built for extended use in mixed conditions — solid for hunters and trampers covering varied NZ ground over multiple days.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Crispi Boot
With a range as broad as Crispi's, choosing the right boot comes down to what you're actually doing. Here's how to think about it:
Match cut height to terrain. Ankle boots (Super Granite, Attiva) suit drier terrain or experienced trampers with strong ankles. Mid-cut boots (Valdres EVO) work for moderate terrain and day hikes. High-cut boots (Hunter, Nevada Legend, Titan) provide the most ankle protection for steep, unstable ground — essential in NZ's high country.
Choose the right Gore-Tex lining. Gore-Tex Extended Comfort is best for active use in mild conditions — more breathable. Gore-Tex Insulated Comfort adds warmth for colder alpine zones, particularly in NZ's late autumn and winter.
Consider weight vs. support. The Attiva Mid and Titan GTX sit at the lightweight end — ideal if you're moving fast and light. The Futura CX and Nevada Legend are heavier but deliver more structure for demanding terrain and heavy packs.
Think about sole stiffness. Stiffer soles (Granite Plus, Nevada Legend) offer more support on rocky terrain. More flexible soles (Attiva, Valdres EVO) allow natural foot movement on mixed terrain.
Account for fit. Crispi boots are built on Italian lasts — generally a slightly narrower, more anatomical fit. If you have wide feet, consider models with the CCF Cross Comfort Fit system such as the Dakota GTX, or try going up half a size. Always fit with your intended hiking or hunting socks.
Compare the full Crispi range at Dwights to find the right match for your foot and intended use.
The Bottom Line
Crispi is not a compromise brand. These boots are designed, engineered, and built in Italy by people who take footwear seriously — and they're built for the kind of terrain New Zealand delivers in abundance. Whether you're hunting the South Island high country, tramping Fiordland, or putting in the kilometres on a NZ Great Walk, there's a Crispi boot in the range that will serve you well.
Browse the full Crispi boot range at Dwights and find the boot that fits your adventure.