Officially, the Quechua SH500 High is presented as a warm, waterproof leather hiking boot. But in real-world use, it leans more towards a lifestyle winter boot than a technical backcountry model. We tested it both in ski resorts and on compact snow hikes — and found it to be a versatile, stylish performer in winter conditions.
The high leather upper provides solid ankle support and helps prevent snow from entering the boot. It’s crafted with leather and a waterproof-breathable membrane that does a good job of keeping moisture out while allowing your feet to breathe. Inside, the lining is soft and cozy, contributing to overall warmth. When stationary and paired with warm socks, we found the comfort zone to be around -3°C to -5°C. Below that, your toes may start to feel the chill.
In the snow, the SH500 High handled itself well. On groomed trails and with about 10 cm of fresh snow, the boot stayed dry and comfortable. However, once we ventured into deeper snow or played around with the kids, the limits of its insulation and waterproofing began to show. It’s not built for prolonged exposure to deep snow or wet environments.
The outsole features Quechua’s Snowcontact technology, and it performs very well on slippery winter surfaces. Traction was reliable, even on icy patches.
Putting the boot on is easy thanks to a wide-opening tongue. The laces glide smoothly through the eyelets, making for quick and efficient tightening. At the back, there’s a pull-tab to help you slip them on more easily.
That said, the Quechua SH500 High isn’t your typical hiking boot. It’s really best suited for cold, snowy urban or semi-rural use, or for light winter hikes — ideally on packed snow or groomed paths, and for outings of 1 to 2 hours.
In short, it’s a warm, comfortable, good-looking winter boot that you can wear just about anywhere — even to dinner in the mountains. And the value for money is excellent.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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