La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

I am preparing to go to El Camino and bought these as my "real" boots. Bought them on a Monday, wore them throughout the week to make sure I wouldn't blister and took them on an all-terrain 13 mile hike today in icy/thawing conditions both on trails and pavement. I don't have one blister and the only problem I had is an existing issue with the side of my foot that I put moleskin over. I love this boot. My only minor issue is they are heavier than my other boots but I had to switch off of the old because they were not sufficient for the kind of hiking that I'm doing now so I'm guessing it is a tradeoff for the amount of support my foot has.

I wear orthotics so can't comment on the arch support, but it fits my orthotics nicely. I love the REI folks because we put my pack on and tried on a bunch of boots before selecting this one.

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

Got them on sale for a good discount on price.just breaking them in but have had no problems.only done short hikes with < 20lbs so far. stayed dry in rain.

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

I walk my dog a mile each day in these boots. I could use a little more arch support because I have a high arch. I've had both hips replaced and a knee rebuilt so I need a good boot. So far these have preformed well.

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

Four weeks before leaving on a trip to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the top eyelet/hook on my Merril Moabs ripped out of the boot when tightening the laces. The Merrils had started stretching out with all the hiking I was doing to get ready and were giving me blisters anyway. In a panic I researched every boot I could get fast and would have a short break-in period. Probably tried close to 10 kinds as I have wide feet and issues with a bunion and previous foot surgery. I read the reviews for these boots and was able to find them in one of the REIs in my area. Was a bit skeptical when the salesman recommended what I thought was a smaller size than I take but he "had a chart". He was right. Longer story short, I took home a few different brands and wore them around the house first. The La Sportiva felt the best and were the only boots that would keep my heel locked down. I can't comment on the arch support since I use a Superfeet insert. Gave them a limited test of about a 7 mile hike on a moderate trail that first weekend and was amazed how comfortable they were. Continued to hike in them the next few weekends with increased difficulty and not one single blister. Hiked the 26 miles of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu plus other shorter hikes in Peru in both dry and rainy weather. Sore feet from hiking over rocks and stones yes, but not one blister and my feet stayed dry. These are truly the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. I may have them bronzed when they wear out.

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

Bought these right before two weeks of hiking in Utah. They took me through the Fiery Furnace and up to Angel's Landing. Even though I've had lots of footwear with Vibram soles over the years, I was especially impressed with the traction I got with these when scrambling up and down rock faces. I felt invincible! I picked these because I have narrow heels but need a spacious toe box. They will be great for other hiking and travel adventures,too.

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

I just completed a 223 mile backpack in these shoes hiking the John Muir Trail carrying between 16-30 lbs on my back throughout the trip, and they were extremely comfortable, had zero break in (started backpacking in them a few months before the big hike, and had no problems with blisters and hot spots), and protected my feet well from talus and various objects that I would have stubbed my toe on.

They did well during stream crossings, hail and rain conditions, keeping my feet dry (my feet never get sweaty or too hot, so goretex works great for my feet. YMMV). I ordered a half size larger than normal due to the more narrow width of these shoes, and they fit perfectly, allowing my toes a bit more room than usual, but fitting snuggly around the arch region of my foot. I have been using the stock insoles, and find them a good fit. They were also a pound lighter than my previous boots, and I could definitely feel that benefit when walking day after day in them.

I'd highly recommend these boots.

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

At last, I have returned from a backpacking trip with my toenails intact! For me, these boots have the perfect combination of a wide-enough and tall-enough toebox with a low profile forefoot. The area from the toebox back to the arch of the foot is not tall, and THAT (along with good lacing technique) helps keep my feet from sliding forward and bumping my toes on the fronts of the boots on downslopes. If you look at the boots from the side, you'll see that they have almost a clown-shoe look, as they're very flat and then rise up at the toes. Hurray for a VERY patient REI bootfitter who spent an hour with me until she found the right pair.

Beyond the thrill with the fit, I have been pleased with all other aspects of these boots: they are not hot, they're wonderfully lightweight, very flexible yet somehow also supportive, and nearly waterproof. I say nearly because after 4 miles of slogging through unavoidable puddles on a trail my wool socks were damper than just sweat would account for, yet much drier than the feet of my companions who were wearing other GoreTex boots. The boots dried quickly when it stopped raining 30 hours later. Having just put 65 miles on the boots, in the mountains of Montana, I can't think of a single complaint.

The boots are a delight to wear around town too, as comfortable as my Nikes.

The earlier reviewer who noted, with a bit of embarrassment, that these boots stay laced was right: they DO. I don't know why some laces easily come undone, but I've had the same problem she mentions with other boots continually unlacing, and that little annoyance is gone with these.

I marked these boots as good for light loads, but I'm not sure what "light" is: I carried 30 pounds comfortably on my 130 pound frame and felt supported, but I use the green SmartFeet in my boots so I'm not sure whether that was due to the SmartFeet or the boots.

If you're looking for a boot for low volume feet, a boot that is flexible and lightweight and performs well in wet conditions, this may be your boot. Please don't decide based ONLY on reviews, though: work with a boot fitter. I wish I'd done so 4 toenails and a number of years earlier!

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

These boots are great right out of the box. I use them mainly for working on the farm. My feet stay warm and dry whatever the weather. The ankle support is great for working on uneven terrain. These are definitely my go to boots for all outdoor work.

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

Tired of boots that end up feeling too small or rub my toes in a bad way, I picked up a pair of these in a half size larger than I would normally wear and immediately took them backpacking. Well, first I went ahead and preemptively coated them in Nikwax, knowing that I was heading out into spring snow-melt conditions.

The boots were comfortable beginning to end on the trip. They are also lightweight enough for day hikes, but sufficient for a backpack trip and some off trail trekking and scrambling. Mostly I love how much room my toes have while the heel still fits well.

I didn't have any trouble with my feet getting wet even with a dip in a creek, but I didn't really push it, knowing that gore-tex just never really does what I want it to, especially on shoes.

I'm not sure yet about the durability of these boots and am a little concerned about having fabric right at the point the shoe bends. Seems like this may wear out faster than having an all leather boot. It also seems like it could become an easy water-entry point. Only have about 40 miles on them so far though, so hard to say just yet.

Comments about La Sportiva FC ECO 3.2 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's:

I just returned from a 5-day trip hiking Salkantay mountain in Peru. Several times I thought, I can't wait to write a review on these boots when I get back. They were by far the best purchase I've made. We hiked through all different types of terrain including steep rocky riverbeds, through 3 days of mud and pouring rain - and my feet never once got wet or sore. I had tons of ankle and foot support and the laces stayed tight and never came untied. I was deciding between these and a pair of Keens... so happy I stayed with the La Sportivas because my husband's Keens soaked through. You will LOVE these boots...