Boulder X mid GTX
| Page Type | Gear Review |
|---|---|
| Object Title | Boulder X mid GTX |
| Manufacturer | La SPortiva |
| Page By | ianamclennan |
| Page Type | Feb 25, 2012 / Feb 25, 2012 |
| Object ID | 8110 |
| Hits | 13907 |
| Vote |
Product Description
The La Sportiva Boulder X mid GTX is a variation on the Boulder X approach shoe. They have taken a durable and technical approach shoe and turned it into what is in many ways a light mountaineering boot. It's a jack of all trades. But is it a master of none?Features
The Boulder X mid GTX has a set of features that doesn't plant it squarely in any category of footwear. It is neither an approach shoe nor a proper mountaineering boot.- Uses La Sportiva's mythos lacing system which lets you fit the boots either loosely for all day comfort or tightly for more technical climbing. As you tighten the laces the boot locks your heel down tight.
- vibram's stickiest rubber sole and a full rubber rant to protect your toes from bumps and scrapes
- suede upper
- gore-tex lining
- gusseted tongue (the old Boulder X has issues with debris coming in but not anymore)
- semi-rigid soles good for walking many miles
- mid ankle height for moderate ankle support
- fit-thotic insert for support and shock absorbtion
Review
Hiking:They are are as comfortable for long hikes as any hiking boot I've tried. Being rubber and suede they can get warm and may be too hot for warm weather or warm climates. The durability of the sticky rubber soles may also be a concern after a hundred miles of rock.
Boulders and rocks:
These boots are superb on scree, boulder fields and scrambling of any kind. The soles flex slightly on the medial plane for comfortable hiking but feel rigid under torsional stress so they are comfortable for walking all day long on rocks that would bruise the bottoms of your feet in a hiking boot. They do a great job of keeping out debris as well.
Climbing:
I've tried them in the gym and climbed 5:7-5:8 grade stuff and I'm not a very good climber. A really talented climber could probably climb some pretty tough rock. The toe is totally the wrong shape for edging on small edges and it's difficult to get a boot sized for hiking to fit tight enough for climbing. Still it's probably better than anything else outside of a climbing shoe.
Snow and Ice:
The sticky soles are pretty secure on horizontal ice. These boots fit well with my Climbing Technology Nevis crampons and the toe box and sole are rigid enough you can kick steps or climb pretty steep snow and moderate ice with ease though I wouldn't want to do it all day.