Salewa Hiking Boots & Hiking Shoes
Salewa is an Italian mountain sports brand — founded in Munich in 1935, with serious alpine credentials in climbing, mountaineering, and technical hiking footwear. At Dwights, Salewa is footwear only — hiking boots and shoes. Their range is built around the Mountain Trainer and Alp Trainer series, with the Rapace GTX for more technical alpine use.
The Salewa Range at Dwights
- Mountain Trainer Lite (low and mid-cut): Lightweight, agile hiking shoes and boots with Vibram outsoles. The low-cut suits day walks and experienced trampers who prefer a more flexible shoe. The mid-cut adds ankle support for uneven terrain and loaded packs.
- Mountain Trainer 2 Mid GTX: The core mid-cut tramping boot — structured, GORE-TEX waterproof, Vibram outsole. Well-suited to NZ multi-day tramping with a heavier pack.
- Alp Trainer 2 (low and mid-cut): Performance-focused hiking shoe with a more technical fit — suited to faster-moving trampers and approach hiking on technical terrain.
- Rapace GTX: Technical mountaineering boot — C2 crampon compatible, stiff, and built for serious alpine use. For routes above the snowline and technical terrain requiring crampons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Salewa boots good for NZ tramping?
Yes — particularly the Mountain Trainer series, which is well-suited to NZ multi-day tramping. GORE-TEX waterproofing, Vibram outsoles, and solid ankle support make the Mountain Trainer 2 Mid GTX a reliable choice for loaded packs on variable NZ terrain. Salewa boots are designed with technical terrain in mind — slightly stiffer than some alternatives, which suits trampers who carry heavier packs or move on uneven backcountry ground.
What's the difference between the Mountain Trainer and Alp Trainer?
The Mountain Trainer is the more structured option — designed for multi-day tramping with heavier loads on varied terrain. More robust construction, more ankle support. The Alp Trainer is lighter and more performance-focused — better suited to faster-moving trampers, day walkers, and approach hiking where agility matters more than load-carrying support. For most NZ multi-day trampers, the Mountain Trainer is the better fit. For lighter, faster use, the Alp Trainer is worth considering.
Is the Salewa Rapace GTX suitable for NZ alpine tramping?
The Rapace GTX is a serious technical boot — C2 crampon compatible and built for alpine and mountaineering use. It's more boot than most general tramping requires, but for routes above the snowline, technical alpine ridges, or any objective where you'll be using C2 crampons, it's an excellent choice. For general multi-day tramping on well-formed NZ tracks, the Mountain Trainer 2 is the more practical option.
Why Buy Salewa from Dwights?
Dwights is an authorised Salewa dealer in New Zealand — genuine Italian-made footwear backed by the full manufacturer warranty. At Dwights, Salewa is footwear only — technical hiking boots and trail shoes engineered in the Alps for demanding mountain terrain. NZ-stocked with fast delivery.