La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

These are the ultimate lightweight mountaineering boots. First and foremost, they are designed to be LIGHT, which in all aspects of outdoor gear, light weight always means a compromise in durability. However, I think they are a bit more durable than the weightclass competition. They have no insulation, and are meant to be 3 season boots, so don't expect your feet to stay toasty warm if you are making summit attempts in below freezing conditions for too long. They are comfortable right out of the box, but do have a lot of flex compared to a boot with a full shank, but to me, that is also what lends these to been such great boots and provides a bit more sensitivity when rock climbing. Don't expect to get much out of them if your on steep snow/ice, they aren't meant for front pointing, but then again, neither are the new-matic crampons. I've worn these on the Tatoosh traverse (spring snow/ice/5th class rock), up Mt Adams (spring climbs), 1-3 day hikes/climbs in the Olympics and Cascades (all seasons), long distance backpacking trips (all seasons), a good bit of glacier travel, and on aid climbs in cold temps. I've even used them on a couple pitches of water ice (WI2), but certainly would have been more comfortable with stiffer boots. I will probably wear them up Rainier this summer, but for any summit attempts at high elevation during any time besides the warm season, I'd certainly opt for something warmer. Although they are highly versitile, don't expect these to be an all-in-one mountaineering boot. My quiver includes Scarpa Invernos for the cold season work, Scarpa Summits for the moderate temps and rough terrain, and these Trangos for the warmer weather/light and fast efforts. For what they were designed to do, I think these are by far the best-in-class boots. Also - my feet are usually most happy in Scarpa and Asolo boots, but for some reason these fit better than any boot I've ever worn. I'm currently on my second pair - and the newer version seems to fit even better. The last pair made it through 3 years of hard use/abuse before the interior started breaking down. At that point, the tread was pretty worn, and parts of the cordura had gotten a bit fuzzy, but sill functioned great until the liner fabric started to wear through.

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

I use these for day to day stuff. The in town conditions are rocky and icy. We are at the base of a volcano so lots of lava rock to trip on.

These are not to great on slick spots but great for climbing. The stiff soul allows for cutting into packed snow.

I live and work in Antarctica during the winter. Temps range from +20 to -65 ambient. They do tend to freeze when ambient temps get below about -10.

Great boot, have gotten a lot of positive comments on the red color.

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

I put these boots through extreme use right out of the box with no breakin during a backcountry trip in the Manti/LaSal Mountains of Central Utah. For three days I climbed off-trail routes in very steep, soft soil, rocky, and branch littered terrain. On the third and fourth days I carried a backpack with 100lbs of weight.

These boots exceed all my expectations: I prepared for extreme blisters due to the lack of breakin -- there were none. With a 100lb frame pack on (we were carrying very dense Elk meat) the boots provided excellent support both laterally and front to back. I was surprised they stood up to this much weight -- and off trail to boot!

They are light, waterproof, and have good grip.

Today, I ran 4 miles on a trail in Millcreek Canyon along Utah's Wasatch Front -- They were a bit stiff for running but performed amazing at this feat too. Any leather boot and I would have had blisters. I will actually use these from now on for light (3mile) runs.

Last week I climbed above the snow line in the Wasatch and "kicked in" to climb a very steep slope in snow and ice. Again, they performed well. Stiff enough to drive into the face and then stiff enough to step up and stand on. The soles, and especially the heels, are narrow -- if you are used to wide-soled backpacking boots you may not like this. However, if you use the narrow sole to either impact-brake (ie kick the heels in while descending) or "kick-in" while climbing, you'll love this sole width. It you want a wide, absorbing, "floaty" sort of sole, these are not the boots for you.

I do wish they had a deeper lug Vibram sole, but these days with soles going "Eco" we'll have to settle for this. I am concerned about sole wear and wearing of the padding between the sole and the boot bottom, but again these concerns are common to all boots I have owned in recent history. I am told that these boots can be re-soled.

Buy them: you will be glad you did.

Now if La Sportiva would only do something about that color . . . !

Dante

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

An absolutely great boot but it will not last. Common sense should make clear that a woven fabric is not going to hold up against abrasive scree and talus. Even the laces wore into the Cordura, turning it fuzzy and water-absorbing. The boot does what it is designed for very well, but it should not be expected to hold up as a general use mountaineering boot in rough terrain. Also, the level of ankle support is for climbing, not carrying loads. Not a replacement for a general mountain boot.

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

These boots can't do everything, but they can do a lot. They're flexible, for lots of hiking, sort of stiff for moderate ice climbing, and do pretty good on rock too.

They fit my semi-auto crampons pretty well (heel lever, toe straps), but they are a little flexible for steep climbing on hard ice. On soft ice, or snow, however, they're great!

Also, they edge well and crack climb well on rock (as long as they sort of fit in the crack) - just don't expect to smear in them (as with most mountain boots).

They fit larger than the Makalus (a boot which I disliked very much), and I especially like the adequate toe room (the toes look small in the photos, but they're actually pretty roomy).

Overall, at just under 3 lbs a pair, just the fatigue savings over a trip is worth it. But, they're not very warm, beware!

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

Carefully examine the fit and finish: double stitched leathers, seamless mating of materials, that fantastic red exterior... Like Ferraris for your feet. But all that aesthetic mumbojumbo aside, these boots pack a beast under the hood as well.

I've taken them into the high country (13k+ ft.) in winter 3 times this year, and the boots were incredibly comfortable without any break-in. The heel padding prevents slippage, the tongue cradles nicely while not shifting and still remaining supportive, and the ankle-uppers are among the most comfortable I have ever felt (they do not cut into your lower leg AT ALL).

I traversed numerous snowfields, and with strap-on cramps (horizontal frontpoints) the boots were exceptional. With their light weight and narrow profile, they remained highly maneuverable with the crampons attached, while still rigid enough for the steeper sections. Forget any extended frontpointing or vert tho, you will kill your calves. The toebox, heel cavity, and sidewalls are quite rigid, so strap-on cramps and snowshoes can be cinched down as tight as needed without any distortion of the interior volume. That being said, the boots still flex nicely without the hardware, contributing to their trail comfort. Strap and hybrid crampon compatible, I wish they would have added a toe welt to accommodate ultra-rigid step in types as well.

The sole rubber is quite tenacious on dry rock, grips very well on cold(dry) snow and less so on wet stuff at/near freezing. I played around with these boots on a few different icy surfaces when it was very cold (-5 deg. F) and again when it was near freezing to learn the behavior of the sole under different conditions before I took them into the backcountry. Be prepared when the rubber does break traction on dry/cold ice because it occurs suddenly, leading to a fair slip distance before the tread and compound bites again (much like a climbing shoe does on a friction slab). It is much more predictable on wet ice, as would be expected.

As for interior performance; I never felt even a hotspot (much less an actual blister) from the linings over 35 miles thus far this winter. Moisture management is good, and warmth is aplenty for temps down to -20 while active, and maybe 0 if you are sitting still for hours. I recommend a thick mountaineering sock (I use the SmartWool variety) and be sure to fit the boot with these socks in the afternoon to allow for daytime swelling.

I am most pleased with these boots and doubtless I will continue to discover more that I like about them (and perhaps dislike as well, but that has not happened yet). They are exceptionally comfortable and I most enjoy being able to jump in the truck at the trailhead and drive away with these still comforting my trail-worn feet (notwithstanding a sock change of course). How many of you can't wait to get your "trail pair" switched out for ANYTHING else when you get the chance?

A well made boot with an intelligent design and high-performance features, the LaSportiva Trango S EVO GTX is a wonderful boot for me and I fully recommend it for general mountaineering.

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

I took this boot straight out of the box 22 miles into the backcountry of Alaska's Talkeetnas with a 60 lb pack. Not a single blister or even much discomfort at the end. The boot IS waterproof but you'll need gaiters to keep dew, rain, snow, etc. out of the boot and off your socks. My only complaint is that grip is poor on wet rock. You won't find a better or more versatile mountaineering boot for the price. I wouldn't take it out when temps drop below zero, but have no concerns using it late spring through early fall. This boot is also great on dayhikes. It's not overkill to use it on steep trail since it is comfortable and lightweight. Be sure to try it on with the socks you'll be using it with. If you aren't sure... buy it anyway. [...]

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

Guys and Gals
I got the mens and wifey got the womans about 10 days ago......right out of the box to a 14er in colorado then 2 days later overnight backpacking trip into the colorado backcountry....just walked in the condo in Breckenridge...spent 2 days on Longs Peak....camp at 13,000 ft and sub zero temps and winds in the 70 mph plus..we have wore these about 20 miles with crampons on and about 5 miles without...no need to break this in...best boot I have ever wore with 35 yrs of back country trips....they still look like they just came out of the box.........

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

Have put 150 miles & 50K' vertical on these with moderate loads (I'm only 155 lbs.) on mixed alpine routes. I've never seen a light boot that's this good. They stick to everything, are stiff enough to do lots of front pointing and keep the water out without being hot. Great fit for narrow heels, wide forefoot & medium arches. No break-in was required. The light construction, particularly the lacing, gives me worry but so far they have held up very well. These are in the top 5 of all the footwear I've ever owned!

Comments about La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's:

The best boot I've ever used in my life. I was a little worried paying that amount of money for this boots...but it was actually one of the best investments I've made.
They are pretty durable, super confortable, incredibly precise, stiff enough for what I need.
On the down side...it is not that well insulated, but it didn't stop me doing all the snow-covered mountains and with temperatures on the teens.
Thanks La Sportiva for making them...you've got a Winner here!!!