"Burly boot, can be a tough break in process"
04/19/13
This boot is stiff! The break in period took about a month and a half of constant wear, but once that was through these boots felt amazing. They're stiff, protective, and durable. Very durable. The outer boot is bombproof. The glue is holding, water stays out (for the most part), and, surprisingly, the sole hasn't worn down much. My only issue with these boots is the inner leather lining disintegrates! About two months into the season I had to get a piece of leather glued to the heel area because I'd worn all the way through the liner. After a season the inner lining on the cuff of the boot is completely gone!
I purchased a pair of these from Moosejaw about 10 years ago. They are not the current iteration but rather the ones sans rand and grey midsole. I have medium to almost wide feet so not ideal "La Sportiva" geometry. Break in was a ball buster but after a solid 2 months of daily wear I got to the point where I could wear them all day-11 hour work day-and not be in pain. Fast forward 10 years and they've almost completely broke in for me. The reason I like Sportiva is they are old school Italian made boots that last forever. Breaking any of them in is a chore for me but once the leather conforms to my feet there is nothing better footwear wise.
It's been 751 days since my 1st review. In that time we (the boots and I) have gone through break-in (which wasn't bad), several (6) ambitious climbs, and most (that means more than half) of the 2010 and 2011 school years (I’m a teacher), together. I have been smitten (that means rather happy) with these boots. As I said, "I have been..." (that's past tense and thus infers, I no longer feel this way). The problem, AS IT WAS WITH MY OTHER La Sportivas, the "Glacier", is that the lining of this boot has disintegrated! I talked to MJ and after an exhaustive (long) process where I sent my previous boots back, and never heard another word, nor had my boots returned...I’m just fed up!–LTM
It's been 751 days since my 1st review. In that time we (the boots and I) have gone through break-in (which wasn't bad), several (6) ambitious climbs, and most (that means more than half) of the 2010 and 2011 school years (I’m a teacher), together. I have been smitten (that means rather happy) with these boots. As I said, "I have been..." (that's past tense and thus infers, I no longer feel this way). The problem, AS IT WAS WITH MY OTHER La Sportivas, the "Glacier", is that the lining of this boot has disintegrated! I talked to MJ and after an exhaustive (long) process where I sent my previous boots back, and never heard another word, nor had my boots returned...I’m just fed up!–LTM
Use these things every day as journeyman lineman hiking up mountains in WV n Cali the n climbing poles (both steel and wood). They hang tough and feel like you're on the ground even when you're 200 feet up the steel and all your body weight is on the shank for hours. Nothing beats them for walking and climbing. Get bout 3 years from them wearing them daily n am on my third pair. If they stop making these I'll get out of linework.Ray
"Great Boots, Built like a tank feel like slippers!"
07/17/12
These boots are awesome. Had them for about a year now, use them for work every day (sometimes 7 days a week, 16 Hr. days) as a journeyman lineman. They have held up better than any work boot I have ever owned and are more comfortable climbing than any of the climbing boots i have owned. These things are lightweight, bullet-proof and indestructible.
When the revolution happens, and you had one choice of boot to head to the mountain with, THESE ARE IT! I hike, backpack, climb in these and they excel in everything I throw at them. The break in was short, around 40 miles or so. They are comfortable and very water proof. The sizing is true, however on the narrow side of normal, like LaSportiva tends to be.
i had to buy a new pair because my last pair disappeared in mysterious circumstances. i love sportivas top quality, ingenious design and above all their over all toughness. you really have to get a good fit, and then it takes tens of miles to break in, but damn these are some awesome piece of foot gear, these some virbrams and your golden. .
Still wearing these bad boys in but they have been purchased to do some serious mountaineering in South America. Comfortable, fit well and true to size. They have tackled some really wet weather and have stood the test.
a little uncomfortable at the beginning.but no matter where I went rain, snow, or shine. these boots have kept me warm and dry. freezing temperatures still had no chance. these boots are gold.
"Perfect boots to reach a summit mountain!"
08/11/11
I am fascinated with my boots, I bought them last may, and I use them a lot in the mexican mountains, they can support all kind of weather and your feet are still dry, even, with crampons are very easy to adjust and can continue your way to the summit without problems.I almost forgot to mention that You can adjust laces very quickly, because have an special brooch in the middle of the boot!
You need to hump about 20-30 miles in them before getting serious. You need to break them in and they need to break you in a little; but once you do, you'll have a footgasm each and every time wearing them. I humped all over Afghanistan's Hundu Kush in them, and while others were changing wet socks every five kilometers I would stand there and eat MREs in my dry, warm "foot duvets". The tongue comes out for easy drying/cleaning purposes which is nice and the tough soles don't chew up from kickin' rocks. The sharp heel is ideal for tough descents as well.These boots are impenetrable, and if the snow gets a bit deeper, throw on a pair of gaiters and life will be grand.
$16.50 - $23.50
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