How to Choose Hiking Boots
La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX Hiking Shoes - Men's
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Winner of the Backpacker magazine 2015 Editors' Choice award, the La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX hiking shoes help you move fast in dry comfort with breathable and waterproof Gore-Tex®.
Shop similar productsKey Details
Waterproof
Yes
Upper
Mesh/polyurethane
Weight (Pair)
1 lb. 10.9 oz.
- Gore-Tex Extended Comfort lining and Gore-Tex Surround footbeds provide 360° of breathable and waterproof protection to keep feet dry, both from inside and outside
- Award-winning Gore-Tex Surround technology results in all-around breathable and waterproof hiking footwear that moves sweat quickly away via patented open construction
- Moisture and warmth escape from below your feet through the Gore-Tex membrane into a spacer, and from there through vents on the sides of the shoes
- STB technology wraps the midsoles and unifies them with the uppers for stability and a locked-down fit
- Vibram® Nano rubber outsoles provide aggressive traction
- Backpacker magazine conducts rigorous field testing to select award winners in recognition of their innovation in design, materials and performance
Imported.
View all La Sportiva Men's Hiking Shoes| Best Use | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Single-pull Lace |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Upper | Mesh/polyurethane |
| Lining | Gore-Tex Surround membrane |
| Midsole | Compression-molded EVA |
| Support | Thermoplastic urethane insert |
| Outsole | Vibram Nano rubber |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 10.9 oz. |
| Gender | Men's |
| Sustainability | From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
La Sportiva Footwear - Men's
| 34 EU | 35.5 EU | 36.5 EU | 37 EU | 37.5 EU | 38 EU | 38.5 EU | 39 EU | 39.5 EU | 40 EU | 40.5 EU | 41 EU | 41.5 EU | 42 EU | 42.5 EU | 43 EU | 43.5 EU | 44 EU | 44.5 EU | 45 EU | 45.5 EU | 46 EU | 46.5 EU | 47 EU | 47.5 EU | 48 EU | 48.5 EU | 49 EU | 49.5 EU | 50 EU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Men's | 2.5+ | 4 | 4.5+ | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 6.5+ | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8.5+ | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 10.5+ | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 12.5+ | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14.5 | 15 | 15.5 | 16 |
| U.S. Women's | 3.5 | 5 | 5.5+ | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 7.5+ | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 9.5+ | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 11.5+ | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 13.5+ | 14 | 14.5 | 15 | 15.5 | 16 | 16.5 | |
| EU | 34 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 | 48.5 | 49 | 49.5 | 50 |
| Mondo | 24 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 | 28.5 | 29 | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 |
Sizing Notes
For boots: Add one half size to your street shoe size. You should be able to slip one finger behind your heel when you are standing up with the boot unlaced and your toes touching the front. If the boot is too short, your toes will get smashed walking downhill. Too long and your heel will slide up and down and give you blisters.
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Be sure you know what you want them for
BParks10 years ago
Pros: No break-in needed. Extremely comfortable right out of the box. Lightweight. Nimble. Very slick quick-tie system. Waterproof.
Cons: No real ankle support. Cushy to the point of feeling the contour of the ground too much. A bit too much "play" side to side on uneven terrain. Showing signs of rapid wear in the uppers.
I own many different pairs of La Sportiva. I love this shoe company and have had good luck with many of their products. I bought this in planning to use it as a lightweight hiker for a multi-day backpacking trip this summer. After purchasing and using them for a while around town and on some simple off-trail forest hiking in Wisconsin, I have decided to leave them at home. Simply put, they really are a modified running shoe. You could certainly hike with a light pack with these. But in my opinion, if used for backpacking, they really are only suitable for very light packs on simple even-trail terrain. The support they offer, along with side-play and a cushy feel underfoot are not really the best formula for hiking with a moderate or heavy load over trails that are rough and uneven. I would expect that the soles of my feet would become very sore from feeling rocks and other uneven features through the sole, and the cushy feel and side-play would make it a bit dicey with regard to ankle support with a moderate pack on such uneven terrain. I am also not thrilled with how they are holding up on mostly around-town use. The black toe sole-fold is already peeling away. The side (spiderman) mesh is breaking (although I believe that is mainly there for abrasion prevention) and the elastic lace tuck is wearing out very rapidly.
Believe me...these are fantastic day-to-day shoes! They are extremely comfortable. You can work all day in these things and your feet stay happy. I got stuck in a big downpour the other day and my feet stayed dry. These are great shoes on many levels. But as a hiker with a pack of moderate to heavy load on uneven trail, I do not believe these shoes would cut it for me and I would rather not risk the comfort and pleasure of my upcoming trip with an experiment using these.
They are also a bit pricey considering their manufacture and ability to hold up with use. They cost the same as a good pair of sturdy hikers from the same company.
I recommend these only if you really think hard about what you intend to use them for.
BParks
Madison, Wisconsin
81 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Very comfortable, fell apart quickly
mcush9 years ago
I purchased these in April. Walked four miles, hiked Mt. Ida in RMNP (just under 10 miles RT) and when I went to put them on to hike Grays Peak, the toes were peeling off. The are one of the most comfortable boots I've ever worn so I was really disappointed. I bought them after doing a lot of research on highly breathable boots. The are by far the most breathable boot I've ever worn and are well cushioned for my hike up/ run down Colorado 14er trips. I have exchanged them for a new pair and they held up to Pikes Peak (14 mi RT). I'm hoping I got a defective pair because aside from the toe peel, I love them. Because the jury is still out, 3 stars with a yes recommendation. 5 stars to REI for taking care of the exchange perfectly!
mcush
Denver, CO, United States
39 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
mcush
Denver, CO, United States
Very comfortable, fell apart quickly
9 years ago
I purchased these in April. Walked four miles, hiked Mt. Ida in RMNP (just under 10 miles RT) and when I went to put them on to hike Grays Peak, the toes were peeling off. The are one of the most comfortable boots I've ever worn so I was really disappointed. I bought them after doing a lot of research on highly breathable boots. The are by far the most breathable boot I've ever worn and are well cushioned for my hike up/ run down Colorado 14er trips. I have exchanged them for a new pair and they held up to Pikes Peak (14 mi RT). I'm hoping I got a defective pair because aside from the toe peel, I love them. Because the jury is still out, 3 stars with a yes recommendation. 5 stars to REI for taking care of the exchange perfectly!
Yes , I recommend this product
David
California
Falls apart quickly
7 years ago
This shoe is light and comfortable, but I experienced the same defect as the other reviewer. The rubber towards the front of the shoes are coming off.
No, I do not recommend this product
brendan
san francisco, ca
Lightweight, Reasonable in Snow, Wear out quickly
7 years ago
Agree with other reviewers that these wear out quickly. The rubber at the toe and the heel on mine started to separate quickly. These shoes were great for 2-3 hours hikes in Yosemite after light snow. I put microspikes around them and it was amazing to move on the trail with lightweight shoes. I used these for class 4 scrambling up to higher brother, and found that they did not climb very well. On sections were my friend could walk up comfortably with approach shoes, I was having to be very calculating with each step. The rubber on the bottom is comparable to the rubber on the raptor's, which I think is geared more towards trail runners.
Yes , I recommend this product
ThatsSoFetch
San Diego, CA, United States
Climbed Kilimanjaro in these
8 years ago
I bought a pair of these, and did two smallish hikes to break then in before hopping on a plane to Tanzania. I am a large fellow, 6'3 285 pounds, and they were fine for 95% of the 'expedition'. The only time they seemed a bit lacking was when hiking between 17,000 and 19,000 ft on summit night. It was around 4 degrees F, and my toes went from being painful and cold at the start to not feeling them at all at the summit. Perhaps two pairs of socks would work better than a single pair. That been said I only came out with two minor blisters. Despite two days of heavy rain, my feet stayed dry and comfy. Seriously love these.
You can call me Joe
Berkeley, Ca
Dry and secure
9 years ago
Just finished my first three day trip over Koip pass in Yosemite. I was surprised by two feet of snow that covered miles of trail and occasionally a few inches of it would cover talus on very off camber slopes making footing very tricky and very important considering the consequences of making a footing mistake. Had I known this ahead of time I might have used my midweight Kaylands or Renegades. But here I was and these guys not only held their own on the sketchiest of terrain but the new Gore Tex thing worked despite the uppers being soaked at times. I sure don't miss the weight, the ankle bite from stiff uppers, and the swampy feet of my other boots. I was carrying a decent 35 lbs. The synthesis didn't care.
WB98Beaver
Dallas, TX, United States
Wonderful if your feet run hot
10 years ago
I have had these for little over a month and have put 20 miles on them so far. I've been frustrated with the last three pairs of waterproof hikers I have purchased as my feet seem to bake and get sweaty in them. After reading the review of these in Backpacker, I decide to give them a try and they have made all the difference. Feet are not nearly as warm or sweaty at the end of the hike. Very comfortable and lightweight. Lacing system is very flexible and effective. I have had them out in the rain through puddles and they have kept water out. I have not swamped them thoroughly though.
Yes , I recommend this product
Dan from LA
Los Angeles, CA, United States
So Far So Good.
10 years ago
I bought these as a replacement for my well-used Keen Targhees. They took getting used to because they feel like a athletic shoe on the sides. I wore them around town for a week. Then I took them up Mt.Whitney. 22 Miles and they were outstanding. My feet were sore (but not as sore as they were in my older boots with less mileage. Great Grip, many slippery rocks. Waterproofing seems to work as I stepped in a few puddles (no full immersion). No idea yet on the longevity of the shoe, but for pure functionality it kept my feet dry from water, and dry from ventilation. The most comfortable tongue of any hiking shoe I have worn. Ideally I would write a review after owning them for years, but I think I would forget. But 22 miles on an intense hike, after one week of street use, pretty impressive.
Yes , I recommend this product
TakeAHike88
Lafayette, IN, United States
Tough but comfortable
10 years ago
Just got these and have only hiked about 20 miles in them so far, but they required NO break in time and are already the most comfortable trail shoes I've worn. I can't ever imagine going back to clunky boots! The traction is excellent, the unique shoe string design stays tight but is easily loosened for quick on/off stops. Feet never got hot enough to sweat. The only con I have found is that if you're hiking in muddy terrain, the mud will cake on the sides and in the cell network of the mesh, but is easily washed out. Just don't expect that cool green color on the sides to last as they get dirty!
Yes , I recommend this product
Toddzilla
Gilbert, AZ, United States
Great boot!
10 years ago
Fits like a trail runner, really comfortable. I was concerned with the soft upper toe but it's been a non-issue with the toe front being rigid. Zero break-in period. I'm transitioning from Salomon mids and these La Sportiva's are way more foot friendly...I no longer look forward to taking the boot off after a full day on the trails. Hugs your feet nicely with a great grippy bottom, haven't slipped yet.
Yes , I recommend this product
Ryan B
Redlands, CA, United States
Terrible support for rugged terrain
8 years ago
I bought these boots for a back packing trip in the Wind Rivers, Wyoming. These felt great in the store and walking around the house. However, on the trail they were terrible. They were so soft that my foot would budge out of the side of this boot with every step. After one day, I had blisters on my feet and could not bear to hike in these boots. These boots are so soft that my foot felt like it was "sloshing" around. I laced the boots as tight as they would lace, without effect. The problem is that the plastic/rubber upper gives minimal lateral foot support. I ended up tying these onto the back of my pack and hiking out in some Salomon trail running shoes, which were far superior.
No, I do not recommend this product
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