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Hiking boots / crampons

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2012 10:03 am
by surf
Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a pair of hiking boots. Mainly for 5/6 day hut trips in the lower alps, sticking to the paths, staying in huts and a max backweight of 7/8kgs.

Upcoming trips are slightly more technical:
1) i'm doing a beginners mountaineering course, that includes snow & ice walking. Need boots that fit crampons. Good weather allowing we should do a summit of the Wildspitze http://www.summitpost.org/wildspitze/150338

2) (summer) Haute route, Chamonix - Zermatt, again crampon fit is going to be necessary

So i think the boots that would best fit my needs are the light & flexible boots that still fit (C1) crampons.
After searching through this forum and other internet sites i think i've found two boots that i would fit my needs:
La Sportiva Trango Trex
http://www.lasportiva.com/backpacking.h ... t_products[product]=61&cHash=09ade89c9126c3fb5c101b3d0cd5d06d

Scarpa SL
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-news/ ... /8999.html

The Sportiva's have the weight advantage, but the Scarpa leather might be cooler.

I'm worried both boots might be too hot for the summer hut-trips we usually do, so i'm not fully confident about either. I'd love to hear your opinions.

Thanks

Re: Hiking boots / crampons

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2012 3:47 pm
by ExcitableBoy
These are both good hiking boots. Neither one has heel counters or toe welts so you will want a crampon with 'universal style bindings', that is to say plastic baskets front and back. These are actully quite secure. Look into the Grivel line with flexible connecting bars.

Either boot seems appropriate for backpacking. Leather breathes, so I wouldn't worry about them being too hot. Bear in mind La Sportivas tend to fit narrow feet better and Scarpa fits wider feet better.

I haven't climbed the Wildspitze, but just from the description it appears to be glaciated so you will want and ice axe as well. I personally prefer a heavier boot for glaciers, something with at least a half or better yet a 3/4 length shank. This will give your boots more authority when kicking steps, using French technique. If you plan on any front pointing, you will want a full lenght shank, but you can get away with short sections of front pointing with 3/4 length shanks.

Re: Hiking boots / crampons

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2012 9:00 pm
by s2kfire
I was looking for the same kind of set up. I will be going to Mount Rainier in August and figured I would encounter a fairly wide range of temperatures and did not want to pack separate approach shoes so I tried to find a boot that strikes a balance. Also I mainly hike in Utah where it can get hot. So long story short I ended up with the La Sportiva Glaciers. I also have Grivel G12's for crampons. I took the boot for a climb up a local peak here just the othr day and took them through loose rock, mud, streams, snow and a hard packed dirt trail and they rocked.

Re: Hiking boots / crampons

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2012 9:10 pm
by ExcitableBoy
La Sportiva Glaciers and similar boots are the lightest boots I would personally take to Rainier, and then only late spring through early fall in favorable weather conditions on non technical routes. Certainly in August on the DC or Emmons they should work just fine.

Re: Hiking boots / crampons

PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2012 5:59 am
by s2kfire
Thanks excitableboy, it's a little reassuring to hear you say they will be sufficient. I really wanted the most minimal boot I could get away with up there. I run pretty hot for the most part so I was hoping I could get away with them in August.

Re: Hiking boots / crampons

PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2012 1:58 pm
by ExcitableBoy
The factory snow sealant lasts about a season. After that wears off you should religiously clean and waterproof the boot after every trip with Nikwax waterproofing wax.