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Lowa Civetta GTX Extreme for Aconcagua?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 4:31 pm
by Opeth
Does anyone know if these boots would be suitable for Aconcagua and/or Denali?

I'm a size 15 in normal shoes, and fear that these are may be my only option if the Baruntse 50's are too small. They are the only boot of this warmth that I can find in a 16.

Re: Lowa Civetta GTX Extreme for Aconcagua?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:13 pm
by ExcitableBoy
In short, yes. They are a venerable boot and have been used on very cold peaks for decades. You'll probably want at least an insulated super-gaitor for Denali, if not overboots. Edit: When I bought my last pair of plastic boots in 1994 (Scarpa Invernos - getting long in the tooth but still holding strong), the Lowa Civetta Extrem liners were constructed of loden wool. It appears they are a Gore-Tex and Duratherm synthetic insulation constructed inner bootie so they should dry faster now, a minor quibble of the loden wool liners.

Re: Lowa Civetta GTX Extreme for Aconcagua?

PostPosted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:13 am
by Opeth
Many thanks for the reply, that's comforting news seeing as I don't many many options.

I'll look into your suggestions for adding the extra warmth, too.

Cheers! :)

Re: Lowa Civetta GTX Extreme for Aconcagua?

PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:51 pm
by Opeth
Hi again,

Would you say the older Civetta (loden wool liners) would be as warm as the newer Gore-Tex & Duratherm inners in the GTX Extreme version? I have only found the older Civetta in my size in Europe and want to know if I'd be risking it on Aconcagua with these instead...

Cheers,

Dave

Re: Lowa Civetta GTX Extreme for Aconcagua?

PostPosted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:25 am
by Tijs
I own a pair of Civetta GTX Extreme, and love them! Excellent boots!
Now they of course have the Gore-Tex & Duratherm liner, so I have no experience with Lowa's woolen liners, but here it says:
Liner is insulated with quick drying loden wool for warmth.

Unfortunately, wool does not isolate well when wet (info here), so I suggest you use VBL socks (vapor barrier liner).
I doubt whether you'll find them in size 50 though.
In Europe, the only VBL socks that are widely available are those by Exped, and unfortunately they stop at size 48. So you'll have to fabricate your own :-)
Here is a ton of info on how to do that!
But of course, that will never be as comfortable as the GTX & Duratherm liner.
So you may want to search a bit longer for the Civetta GTX Extreme.
I find them warm, durable, and comfortable.
Cheers, Tijs

Re: Lowa Civetta GTX Extreme for Aconcagua?

PostPosted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:46 pm
by Opeth
Tijs, thank you very much for your detailed reply and all the links. I've read both articles and they're very interesting, I will take all this into consideration when deciding what to do here.

Appreciate it!