While some boots can perform in a wider set of situations than others, there is simply no one boot for all jobs, particularly down here in the South Island of New Zealand.

I have two favourite boots for the majority of hunting that I do, which is dominated by alpine country. The Lowa Ticam 2 - (Similar to the much-loved Tibet's) and the Alpine Expert.

The Alpine Expert as the name would suggest is a versatile all-around alpine boot. It is insulated and balances flexibility with durability. For an alpine boot, it is relatively lightweight, but maintains features like being automatic crampon-compatible with the inclusion of some insulation for added warmth.

I have been using the Lowa Weisshorn for many years on my winter tahr hunting missions. The Weisshorn is ideal for climbing in alpine terrain, performing at its best the steeper it gets. But while it's fantastic in the steep stuff, as you move lower into mid-alpine terrain, the likes of Ticams and Tibets become the preferred option - and this is certainly the case during the summer.

This cross over point is where the alpine expert is in its prime. It really is a boot that can take on the harshest alpine environment yet has enough flex and articulation to cover ground on the riverbeds before you begin climbing high into the nasty stuff.

These days, when I look at my boot shelf before heading off into the hills I am finding myself more and more selecting the Alpine Expert as my boot of choice.