Lowa  Alpine Expert II GTX Mountaineering Boots - Men's

These are good quality boots appropriate for entry-level mountaineering. I think that the higher ankle support on the more expensive mountaineering boots would be helpful for bigger mountains, but since I am just getting into the sport I couldn’t justify paying more than $500. I’ve taken them up some steep snow and rock and they definitely served their purpose. I wear a size 10 hiking boot so I ordered a size 10 and they were slightly too big (even with thick wool socks). However, I was so excited to use them that I wrapped my ankles in sports wrap to make them fit and look forward to my next climb!

I rarely leave product reviews but these things were excellent. Purchased these to go up Mt. Whitney after a couple previous summits in other boots. Whereas previously I got pretty bad blisters from other boots, these had no issues. I brought toe warmers (single digit temps) but didn't need them - ample toe room with a thick wool sock and the insulation is top notch. Good free action on the ankles for steep descents over snow or rock and easy use of auto crampons. I am a career runner with plantar fascia problems and relatively wide foot, and put a hard high arch insole in these boots, which created no issues with fit or use. Really happy with this purchase.

Plain and simple, these are phenomenal boots. I have used them mostly in the New Hampshire White Mountain range, up Tuckerman's Ravine and Washington several times. They performed admirably, handling a bit of everything. These boots also took great care of my feet on an attempt up Orizaba in Mexico. As a single wall boot, my feet were slightly chilly at 18,250 ft, but not anywhere near debilitating cold. These boots do take some time to dry out, however with proper care, you will get many seasons and summits up to 6k meters

I just climbed Mt Rainier using the Lowa Alpine Expert II GTX boots. They were perfect for the climb. I did not use an approach shoe. I climbed the Emmons glacier route. They performed flawlessly. The were great on the approach, with crampons on steep ice, even front pointing on a few steeper sections. I had previously tried out the La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX boots and found those to be much stiffer (great for steep ice for sure, and most folks with them agree) and not a comfortable boot for overall climbing. The toe box was not as wide and there was less rocker on the Cubes, making them harder to walk in. I don't doubt that the Cubes work well for many; they have great reviews. But for me, they just didn't feel right. One of the guidance rules for trying boots is the initial feel of the boot when you first put it on...the Alpine Expert II GTX felt great right away - no pressure spots and the shape fit. It has a highly adjustable lacing system that allows you to tighter or loosen the toe box much more than any other boot I tried. Most boots simply won't allow you to tighten them beyond a certain point. The toe box is straight and wide and very nice. I went a half size larger than my street shoe to avoid toe banging on the way down the mountain and there were great. I had no issues and spent three days in them. Temp ranged from 70 degrees at the bottom of the mountain to the teens at the summit (colder with wind chill). I just had a midweight sock on - no liner. Love these boots. After years of climbing, these are the first serious climbing boot that I feel good about. Have had Koflachs, Kayland, Asolo - none of them felt as well and performed like these. Can't say enough about these boots, but, of course, everyone's feet are different. These are $200. less than La Sportiva Cubes, and to be fair, are not made for as much vertical ice as the Cubes (b/c Cubes are much stiffer). The fit, comfort and overall performance in an alpine environment where you have a lot of hiking and climbing combined is just outstanding.

This is my 2nd pair of Alpine Expert II. They are solid build and warm. I ice climbed in old pair in winter in Montana and Banff and my feet were never cold. For ice climbing I change now to Alpine Ice GTX which is better for ice climbing. However I bought another pair of Alpine Expert II for technical mountaineering when you have long approaches. I climbed Rainier Ptarmigan Ridge in them last year and Mowich Face this year. They work well both on approach and on a mountain. You have to tie your laces tight at the ankle for steep snow and ice and loosen on approach. Also, be aware that heel of these boots is soft. This is good for approach - I never got blisters. But some crampons' heel levers push hard on a heel in the upper section, that creates discomfort. Check how your crampons fit these boots before your go!

This is a great mountaineering boot for someone loooking for a wider toe box boot..

My wife got some. She loved them, so I got some. So our friend got some, and she loved them. So our other friend got some, and he loves them. I bet if you get some, you'll love them. Seriously, for 3-season mountaineering and general winter outdoorsing in the Cascades, these are awesome. They're not the lightest boots ever, but they're exceptionally comfortable and well-made, and they get the job done mountain after mountain (which is more than I can say for a lot of 'high-end' boots I've tried).

Grew up with Lowa leather boots, and their experience shows in these alpine expert 2's. Comfortable instantly and solid build with great features incorporated. REI gave me an amazing deal to boot...(pun intended)

Haven't done a full mountain trip with them yet, but so far they are super comfy and fit true to size. I'm a US Men's 10, I got the 10.5 as I usually go up a half size for they types of boots.

I finally got the break these boots in on a climb up Mt. Hood in Oregon and they performed amazingly. They're comfortable, well-insulated and kept my feet warm in about 25-30 degrees with a single thick mountaineering sock. The mix-leather and synthetic did a pretty good job keeping out any wetness despite a good amount of post-holing on the climb up. I noticed a bit of wetting on the leather but none made it into the inner. Could absolutely use these on a multi-day trip with no fear. I used strap-crampons for the climb, but I like that they are compatible with fully-automatic versions (worked great with my Black Diamonds). At under 4lbs, they're squarely in the middle between "lightweight" 3-season boots and more rugged 4-season. I probably won't push these deep into winter in the high-alpine, but for tackling the best of the cascades where I'll see snow well into August, these are perfect. I tend to be between a 9-10 in street shoes, and have a bit of a wider toe-box (I tend to wear more Scarpa than La Sportiva). I was a 9 (EU 42) in these Lowa Alpine Expert II's. Only one REI in my area carried these, but definitely recommend trying them on in store.