A pair of hiking boots may look appealing on paper. Waterproof, lightweight, comfortable, with good grip… the promises are usually always the same. But you only need to walk a few kilometres along a proper mountain trail to start telling the difference between a good spec sheet and a pair of boots you can really rely on.

That’s why we decided to take the Helly Hansen Men’s AWE Hiker Mid HELLY TECH® hiking boots to the place where they’re meant to be used: the mountains.

Uneven paths, rocks, slightly more technical sections, changes in gradient, dry and wet terrain… enough variety to give us a good initial idea of how it performs.

Our test model was the men’s version in Black / Quiet Shade, size 44. We should point out before the test that we usually wear low-cut trail or hiking shoes, and even so, this boot has pleasantly surprised us.

We can tell you right away that this boot really stands out for its excellent grip, cushioning and comfort, a good balance between protection and lightness, and ease of use right from your very first outings. We’ll go into more detail, but first here are a few quick tips on trying them on, as every foot is different.

When you try them on in-store or receive them at home, it’s a good idea to do so with the socks you usually wear for walking and to spend a few minutes checking the fit whilst moving around. The heel should be securely held in place, without lifting when you walk, whilst your toes need a bit of room so they don’t bump against the toe box, especially when going downhill. With this model, which has a relatively wide last, it’s important to tighten the laces properly across the instep and ankle to prevent sideways movement. If you can, also try walking up a ramp or down a step: this is usually the easiest way to spot any pressure points, loose areas or movement that might go unnoticed on flat ground. And now, we’re finally ready to tell you all about our impressions of this Helly Hansen hiking boot!

At first glance: more modern than a traditional hiking boot

The first impression upon taking the AWE Hiker Mid HT out of the box is quite clear: Helly Hansen has sought to move away from the image of the classic, bulky hiking boot.

The silhouette is quite contemporary, almost halfway between a hiking boot and certain models from the world of trail running. The Black / Quiet Shade colourway we tested is particularly understated, making it easy to wear beyond the mountains, even for everyday use.

But beneath this relatively lifestyle-oriented appearance lies a design that is truly tailored for hiking.

“Despite its protective design and medium-height shaft, it isn’t a bulky boot. Its modest weight and fairly natural flex make it feel agile and easy to handle whilst walking.”

The Helly Hansen boot features a mid-cut upper, a HELLY TECH® Waterproof membrane, an HH Trail Grip outsole, an HH Fast foam midsole, HH Pro Guard protection and the HH Surround-Grip system. Helly Hansen states that it weighs 380 g and this model is currently on sale for around 170 euros.

On paper, the concept seems quite clear: to offer greater protection and support than a low-top trainer, whilst maintaining a certain lightness. It was precisely that balance that we were most keen to test in practice.

A fairly quick adaptation

There are some hiking boots which, right from the first few kilometres, make it clear that you’ll need to wear them several times before you really feel comfortable in them. We haven’t had that feeling with the AWE Hiker Mid.

The boots become comfortable quite quickly, and the padding around the ankle prevents that slightly stiff feeling that certain mid- or high-cut boots can give. The upper follows the foot’s movement without restricting it too much.

The last of the AWE Hiker Mid is relatively wide, particularly in the forefoot area, which is a useful feature for those with wide feet or who need more space for the natural expansion of the metatarsals whilst walking. This extra room reduces pressure points and can improve comfort on long walks, without the foot feeling excessively loose provided the fit across the instep and at the heel is correct.

Helly Hansen also states that this model fits true to size and recommends sticking to your usual size. In our case, with size 44, we haven’t noticed anything particularly unusual about the fit.

But it’s particularly when the path starts to get a bit bumpier that this boot really comes into its own, and you need to tighten the laces a little more.

The grip: probably the aspect that inspires the most confidence

On a perfectly groomed trail, many models can perform well. The real test begins when the footing is no longer so secure: small stones shifting beneath the sole, changes in gradient, uneven ground or descents where, quite naturally, we start to pay much closer attention to where we place our feet.

On this sort of terrain, we found the AWE Hiker Mid HT particularly reassuring.

‘Despite its protective features, it isn’t bulky: its light weight makes for a nimble, natural stride.’

The sole offers excellent grip and gives you the feeling of being firmly planted on the ground. Obviously, no sole can guarantee that you won’t slip, and you always need to choose your footing carefully, but it does give you a sense of confidence.

This is particularly welcome on the descents.

As fatigue sets in, the foot’s support may become slightly less precise, and it is precisely at such times that a sole capable of maintaining good contact with the ground becomes particularly important.

Helly Hansen attributes this feature to its HH Trail Grip sole, developed to perform on mixed terrain. However, what stands out most from our test is something much simpler: we didn’t have to be constantly thinking about the boot.

And when it comes to mountain biking, that’s usually a very good sign, as it provides a comfortable fit without being too stiff

The second interesting aspect relates to its medium-bore construction.

It’s always a delicate balance. Footwear that’s too flexible can feel unstable when the terrain gets tricky. Conversely, a boot that’s too stiff can be tiring on a standard hike. Helly Hansen seems to have struck a happy medium.

The ankle is supported and the foot is held securely in place when the terrain becomes more uneven, but without giving the impression of walking in a heavy, rigid hiking boot.

This relatively generous volume does not mean a lack of precision: once properly fitted, the foot remains stable laterally and does not ‘slip around’ inside the boot. The structure also offers a good balance in terms of torsional stiffness: enough firmness to control footing on uneven terrain, but without being so stiff as to restrict the foot’s natural flexion or compromise walking comfort.

On the roughest sections, this support provides, above all, an extra sense of security. It is worth noting, however, that a medium-height ankle support does not make the ankle invulnerable.

“It provides support and protection, but it is no substitute for good walking technique or the necessary care when the terrain becomes difficult.”

It is precisely this lack of excess that we feel is one of the features that makes the AWE Hiker Mid an attractive choice for versatile use on hikes.

When we’re walking in the mountains for several hours, minor knocks against rocks are practically inevitable. In these situations, we’ve found the model’s relatively protective design to be a real plus.

The forefoot is sufficiently protected to ensure that the occasional contact with stones does not become a constant concern. To achieve this, Helly Hansen uses, amongst other features, the HH Pro Guard reinforcement, designed to protect the most exposed areas.
Furthermore, as you can see from the images, the heel’s geometry protrudes clearly backwards, so that the support base extends beyond the heel bone. Technically, this can help to increase the contact surface and soften the foot’s landing, particularly when landing on the heel on descents or when walking on uneven terrain.

Once again, the overall impression is interesting: the boot offers protection without looking overly bulky.

This is probably one of the main features of these AWE Hiker Mid HT trainers.

Comfort: pleasant cushioning as the kilometres go by

A boot can feel extremely comfortable for ten minutes in a shop, but be far less comfortable after walking several kilometres. That’s why we wanted to look specifically at how the cushioning performed over distance and on uneven terrain.

In this respect, our impressions have been positive. The midsole absorbs impact well and maintains a certain degree of flexibility underfoot. You can feel the cushioning, but without feeling completely cut off from the ground.

We think this is an interesting trade-off for mountain running: a midsole that’s too firm can be tiring, whilst one that’s too soft can compromise precision.

The technology used in this model is HH Fast foam, which Helly Hansen describes as a lightweight midsole designed to provide cushioning and responsiveness. In practice, what we’ve appreciated most is that the comfort remains fairly consistent throughout the entire run.

We haven’t noticed any particularly uncomfortable pressure points, nor does the sole feel excessively hard, and the foot movement feels quite natural bearing in mind that this is a mid-cut boot.

380 grams: a weight you can barely feel when walking

Helly Hansen states that this model weighs 380 g. That’s an interesting figure, but the feel of the boot on the ground is even more so. When walking, the AWE Hiker Mid doesn’t really feel like a particularly heavy boot. This probably contributes significantly to its versatility.

Of course, it is still a more structured model than a simple trail running shoe, but it avoids that feeling of heaviness that some mid-cut boots can cause after several hours.

For those torn between the freedom of movement offered by a low-cut trainer and the protection of a proper mid-cut hiking boot, this is probably one of their main considerations.

And what about waterproofing and breathability?

Our test also gave us the opportunity to put them through their paces in wet conditions. On the wet sections we encountered, the waterproofing worked well and we managed to keep our feet dry.

The AWE Hiker Mid features the brand’s own HELLY TECH® Waterproof membrane. The manufacturer itself rates this model 4/6 for waterproofing and 4/6 for breathability, which is interesting because Helly Hansen does not market this boot as an extreme model, but rather as a relatively balanced option.

Our test confirms that the product performs well in the damp conditions we encountered during our outings. However, it does not yet allow us to draw conclusions about several hours of continuous rain or prolonged use on completely waterlogged terrain.

The same applies to breathability in very hot conditions: we would need to test them on more occasions in such situations to form a truly reliable opinion. We used them on a particularly hot day and the foot breathes well, but we felt that the waterproofing might compromise ventilation slightly.

It is also worth noting that this is not a mountaineering boot. Nor is it a heavy trekking boot designed solely for carrying large rucksacks for several days over particularly challenging terrain. And it is not intended to be a minimalist trail running shoe either.

We feel that their natural habitat is much broader: day-long mountain hikes, routes with significant elevation gain, stony or uneven paths and, generally speaking, outings where we’re looking for greater support and protection than a low-cut shoe can provide.

This is also the type of use that Helly Hansen officially recommends for this model: hiking and camping, with a mid-cut design intended for longer walks and rugged trails.

So, where are its limits?

Following our initial test drives, its main limitations have more to do with the product’s positioning than with its performance on the road.

The first is the price: around 170 euros according to the current list price. At this price point, we’re entering a highly competitive market, where it’s reasonable to expect good build quality, but also genuine durability.

On this last point, quite simply, we do not yet have enough perspective. We will need to see how the sole, the membrane, the bonded seams and the various materials age after a full season and several hundred kilometres.

Second point: someone who walks exclusively on easy, dry trails probably won’t need everything this boot has to offer. A low-cut, even lighter shoe might be sufficient.

At the other end of the spectrum, those who regularly ride on highly technical trails or in high mountains will probably be looking for an even stiffer and more specialised frame.

The AWE Hiker Mid sits right between these two worlds.

The Helly Hansen AWE Hiker Mid HELLY TECH® have impressed us above all for their balance.

There isn’t a single feature that seems to have been taken to extremes at the expense of the others. The grip inspires confidence, the foot is held securely in place, the cushioning remains comfortable as the kilometres add up, and the construction offers sufficient protection when the terrain starts to get rougher.

At the same time, the boot retains a relatively light and natural feel when walking. This is probably what we appreciated most during the test.

Out and about, we didn’t feel as though we were wearing an overly technical boot. We were simply able to walk, climb, descend and tackle uneven terrain without having to constantly worry about what we had on our feet.

And for a hiking boot, that’s probably one of the best compliments you could give it.

Our verdict on the Helly Hansen AWE Hiker Mid HELLY TECH® hiking boot

We like: the grip on uneven terrain, the comfort over several hours, the support without being too stiff, the protection for the foot, the modest weight and a design that’s understated enough to wear off the mountain as well.

Points to bear in mind: a price of around €170, a design that is probably more protective than necessary for simple rides on easy trails, and, for the time being, a lack of sufficient perspective to assess its durability after several hundred kilometres.

Who is it for? For the regular walker looking for a versatile, comfortable mid-cut boot that feels secure, capable of handling everything from an easy trail to rockier terrain without being as stiff as a full-on trekking boot. It allows you to run, but it’s clearly not designed for that.