Choosing Montbell Hiking Boots: Mountain Cruiser vs. Alpine Cruiser, 400 vs. 600, 800 vs. 1000 (2026)

If you are hiking in Japan, you will see Montbell stores almost everywhere, and their boots come up in nearly every gear conversation. The three questions people ask most are: what is the difference between the Alpine Cruiser and the Mountain Cruiser, should I get the Mountain Cruiser 400 or 600, and what separates the Alpine Cruiser 800 from the 1000?

The short answer: first pick the line by cut (ankle height), then remember that a higher number means a boot built for more serious trips.

• Mountain Cruiser: mid cut. Day hikes up to hut-to-hut trips on regular trails
• Alpine Cruiser: high cut. Multi-day traverses and camping; the higher-numbered models go into winter

Prices and weights below are from Montbell's Japanese online store as of October 2026 (men's standard models, tax included).

Alpine Cruiser vs. Mountain Cruiser

Montbell's official guide to choosing footwear sorts boots by cut (high, mid, low) and sole stiffness. Montbell's own hiking boots fit into that scheme like this:

The number in the name is not an altitude. It indicates the level of trip the boot is designed for: the higher the number, the more it is built for heavy packs, rocky ground and winter.

There is no "Mountain Cruiser 800". The 800 is the high-cut Alpine Cruiser 800.

Mountain Cruiser 400 vs. 600

The Mountain Cruiser is the line most people pick for day hikes and hut stays.

Montbell describes the 400 as light, with an excellent, comfortable fit, and the 600 as light and soft, covering a wide range of use. The difference is only about 21 g per boot and ¥2,000, and the intended uses overlap a lot.

• The 400 suits you if you mostly do light day hikes and want a snug fit. It also comes in more variants (wide, BOA, with gaiter)
• The 600 suits you if you want one pair that covers hut stays too. Leather versions are available

Because the numbers alone don't decide it, try both in a store and choose by how your heel and instep sit.

For something lighter, the Mountain Cruiser 200 (Men's #1129762, ¥21,800, 360 g) is aimed at low-hill hiking and camping. Note that the 200 cannot be resoled, so for long-term use the 400 or 600 is the safer choice.

Alpine Cruiser 800 vs. 1000

Once you start planning traverses or tent trips, the next choice is the 800 or the 1000.

If you mostly do snow-free traverses and tent trips, the 800 is usually enough. Montbell describes it as combining a soft feel with high stability, a boot for long summer routes.

The 1000's big differences are the lightly insulated lining and compatibility with semi-step-in crampons. If you want one pair for spring snow and low mountains in a light winter, choose the 1000, accepting about 145 g more per boot.

For real midwinter mountaineering there is the Alpine Cruiser 2800 (Men's #1129819, ¥48,000, 849 g for one 26.0 cm boot), insulated and compatible with step-in and semi-step-in crampons, and the 3000. For mostly summer hiking these are heavy and more boot than you need.

Which one for which hike

If your routes are mostly rocky, a high-cut, stiffer-soled Alpine Cruiser makes sense. For day hikes with only short rocky sections, many routes are fine in a Mountain Cruiser, so decide by the mountains you plan to climb.

Variants: wide, BOA, leather, with gaiter

Many models come in variants such as wide fit, BOA dial lacing, leather, and integrated gaiter, and prices differ by variant. Women's models have separate item numbers. Check the item number, price and weight on the product page before buying.

• Wide: for wider feet
• BOA Fit System: tightens with a dial, easy to adjust even with gloves on
• Leather: durable and protective, resists abrasion on rock
• With gaiter: built-in gaiter keeps out sand, grit, mud and snow

Sizing and fitting tips

Montbell's own Trail Gripper sole is designed for grip on wet rock and wooden boardwalks, the kind of surfaces common on Japanese trails. See the official guide to choosing footwear (Japanese) for more.

Japanese stores list sizes in centimeters. Men's sizes go from 24.0 to 31.0 cm for the 400, 600 and 800, and 24.0 to 29.0 cm for the 200, 1000 and 2800 (online store listings). When trying boots on:

1. Wear thick hiking socks
2. Push your heel to the back and check for about a finger's width of room at the toes
3. Walk down the store's slope ramp and make sure your toes don't hit the front
4. If the width or instep feels tight, try the wide version too

Many people go 0.5–1 cm larger than their everyday shoes, but feet differ, so don't decide by the size label alone. Montbell's online store says boots that have been used outdoors cannot be returned or exchanged, so if you order online, check the fit indoors with thick socks first.

FAQ

Which is better for beginners, Alpine Cruiser or Mountain Cruiser?

For ordinary day hikes and hut stays, the mid-cut Mountain Cruiser (400 or 600) is the easy choice. If you plan traverses in the Northern Alps or tent trips, consider the high-cut Alpine Cruiser 800.

Mountain Cruiser 400 or 600?

The 400 if you mainly do light day hikes and value fit; the 600 if you want one pair to cover hut stays or want leather. The weight and price gaps are small, so try both in a store.

Alpine Cruiser 800 or 1000?

The 800 for mostly summer traverses. The 1000 if you plan to use semi-step-in crampons in spring snow or on low winter mountains.

Can they be resoled?

The official product pages list the Mountain Cruiser 400 and 600 and the Alpine Cruiser 800, 1000 and 2800 as resolable. The Mountain Cruiser 200 cannot be resoled.

Summary

• Choose line first, then number: cut height, then higher numbers for more serious trips
• Mountain Cruiser for day hikes and hut stays; Alpine Cruiser for traverses and snow
• The 400 and 600 overlap in use and differ by only about 21 g; choose by fit
• The 800 and 1000 split on whether you need spring-snow and crampon use
• Try boots on with thick socks; boots used outdoors can't be returned

Prices, stock and specs can change, so check Montbell's online store and ask store staff before you buy.

Official Sources

• Montbell: how to choose footwear (Japanese)
• Montbell online store: Mountain Cruiser 400 Men's (Japanese)
• Montbell online store: Mountain Cruiser 600 Men's (Japanese)
• Montbell online store: Mountain Cruiser 200 Men's (Japanese)
• Montbell online store: Alpine Cruiser 800 Men's (Japanese)
• Montbell online store: Alpine Cruiser 1000 Men's (Japanese)
• Montbell online store: Alpine Cruiser 2800 Men's (Japanese)

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