JHH60 wrote:Has anyone used this boot? How warm is it? Is the last similar to the Lowa Mountain Expert? REI has them onsale very cheap right now. I tried a Mountain Expert on the other day and liked the design and the way it fit. I don't really need a new pair of leather boots but at that price...
When getting a new pair of boots, I try all the brands and two or three different sizes, checking width as well as boot length. I find a wider boot can be much more comfortable and unless I ask for the next wider size to try on, I am never offered the option (I'll special order the extra width if necessary before making the purchase).
One tip on taking care of your feet regarding mountaineering, definitely get something other than the insoles that come with the boot. I used Superfeet for years, but as I got older, my feet began to change and I went to a podiatrist for custom insoles. My feet responded favorably to the adjustment (a case of metatarsalgia), but when getting a new pair of running shoes last year, I gave Roadrunner Sport's custom insoles a try, something they call "Shoe Dog". These insoles are fitted to your feet in the store and takes only 10 to 15 minutes, and they work!! Since fitting my latest pair of boots with these custom insoles, I have the most comfort I have ever experienced in hiking boots. My podiatrist no longer makes custom insoles as he tells me programs like Shoe Dog work very well and he cannot compete with the price (around 75 dollars a pair here in San Diego).
Regardless of the brand choice, I HIGHLY recommend going with Gortex instead of leather alone. If hiking/mountaineering in wet conditions, leather alone might not suffice. I don't know why I took so long getting a decent pair of Gortex hiking/mountaineering boots. Contending with wet/frozen boots in the morning is something I never want to experience again! Of the three Gortex mountaineering boots I tried (LA Sportiva, Scarpa, and Lowa), I found the Lowa Mountain Expert GTX to be my best choice. They conform to my foot really well and I love the way they lace up! The extra stiffness in the full shank is not too stiff for my comfort and will provide extra traction when negotiating steeper terrain.
http://www.rei.com/product/780836 They are pricey, but I'd say the money spent on a good pair of boots is one of the most important investments one can make in mountaineering gear.
Best of luck!