First, I know the boot issue has been repeated over and over and over. I have read all of the posts since May. However, I am specifically interested in boot recommendations for Colorado 14ers in Winter. One or two day trips at most. I wear size 14 ( 48 ) boots (somewhat limiting, ie Sportiva Spantik among others are not available).

Would double plastics be necessary? Would the Sportiva Nepal EVO be sufficient?

Thanks!

Would double plastics be necessary?

Not unless you are ice climbing. Almost all of the standard routes on 14ers wouldn't require plastic boots. Something like Sorels or Bugaboos is what I bring on the standard routes because I don't like rock scrambling in my plastic boots and I don't find them as comfortable (most 14ers require as least some rock scrambling or walking on rocks up high because the wind scours off the snow). Of course, some people I know do use plastics for snowshoeing, but it isn't required.

In Colorado, plastic boots are more for ice routes (waterfall or alpine).

I would agree with Scott. Double boots are usually way too warm for 14ers. I did a couple while breaking in a pair of plastics but my feet were always too warm. Unless you were to get out in some very cold temps I think plastics are overkill. I wear a pair of Makalus (leather) and havn't had any problems.

I also agree with these posts. For the past three years, I've used a pair of LaSportiva Nepals for winter 13ers and 14ers. My feet have not once been cold. In fact, the one guaranty I have on winter days above treeline is that my feet -- using a liner sock, Smartwool mountaineering sock and the Nepals -- will stay warm, even when nothing else does. The only reason I use plastics in CO winter is to break a new pair in without traveling too far first.

Thanks for the replies!

Has anyone tried the Scarpa Summit GTX? Thoughts on this boot?

transientgolf wrote:Has anyone tried the Scarpa Summit GTX? Thoughts on this boot?

I would expect that boot to be fine on all but the coldest days. It is comparable to what I wear if I expect it to be really cold or steep stuff. Most of the time, I wear uninsulated leather boots or cross training shoes unless I am going to be on something steeper than about 30 degrees.

transientgolf wrote:Has anyone tried the Scarpa Summit GTX? Thoughts on this boot?

I have this boot. I like it and use it for four season mountaineering and ice climbing in the Cascades. So far it has been plenty warm. I find it comparable to the LS Nepal EVO, but fits my wide foot better.

I'm gonna dissent a bit from the opinions other's have expressed. I wear double leather boots when I'm out doing 14ers. If it's a nice day out I'm usually pretty warm but this past Monday I tried to climb the Inwood Arete on Quandry and my toes were pretty cold most of the time. Not painfully cold, just chilly. I would say if you're just doing some 14er hikes or scrambles where you're moving fairly fast, in good weather, and don't have to stop for belays and whatnot then you'll probably get along fine with a single boot. IF you're going after it in less than ideal weather or on some of those faces that feel like the darkside of the moon then you might look into some doubles. Plastics don't hike as good as leather but my feet don't complain about anything I do to them. Keep in mind I'm a skinny guy and I don't think I have that great of circulation so it might differ for you.

If your feet run cold, and if the 14ers you plan to climb don't require crampons, this is a very comfortable, extremely warm, softer boot that's perfect with snowshoes or by itself:
http://www.rei.com/product/774593
It's a double leather boot. The inner boot feels like a slipper. It dries easily. If you need more support, buy them big enough to put your favorite insole inside the inner boot.