La Sportiva Trango Alp GTX

Purchased these boots 28-05-10 in Ambleside! Put them on in the shop then walked to langdale, via Elterwater ,across the crinkle crags then back to langdale about 15 miles heavy going in awful weather and every terrain you can think of . These boots were amazing .No hot spots, no water ingress zero discomfort. The grip was brilliant over the very wet and rocky crinkle crags (100% better than my Salomon 4dx) .I have to say the valley walk was better than anticipated, the rolling action of the alp was a delight and considering I was carrying a full week’s worth of kit my feet were noticeably better by the end of a 14 hr day for wearing them, no blisters, sore feet or tired knees. Day two we did the langdales and scar fell in very hot weather , again I was very pleasantly surprised for an alpine boot my feet were warm but not hot and by the end of a 12 hr day bone dry no sweat ,no water etc . Also I have to say these boots really came into their home on rock the foot placement is very precise, and somewhat comforting as they gave me a complete level of confidence when scrambling, No bent ankles and no slips ...I really can’t speak highly enough on this point. I would also add that descending was different again with these boots .My dodgy Knee and toes were completely different ,normally ‘like most’ I suffer on descents after a long day ,but in these boots and the Alps breaking system (whatever that may be ? ) they noticeably reduced toe bump and reduced the levels of fatigue to my knee ,back and the balls of my feet .The deep lugs on these last’s coped well with all the wet and boggy fells too .However picking up on Bruce Macrosson’s point ( above review) By the end of day three having completed about 30 miles over quite tough rock and wet fells, I noticed a hot spot starting over my right foot big toe area ( though nothing major and nothing on the left foot ) . It is caused by a crease (which is to be expected from a light b1/b2 boot and the rolling action of the GTX Alps remember they aren’t so stiff as to limit valley walking if you want completely stiff buy the trango extreme ) however the crease is not the problem! The problem is that under the leather on the second from bottom eyelet there is a plastic reinforce, the edge of this happens to be on the crease and right on top of the bend in my big toe. (The plastic is there, but in a slightly different place on the left boot) I genuinely think this is a manufacturing fault! But let me be clear I do not think this is a long term problem, remembering, I was daft enough to do 30 miles straight from the box! And yet still have no blisters amazing! And by day 4 yes it’s a little tender but still no blisters after another 8 miler! So what I would suggest is. Most shops allow you to try the boots at home for a week or so before you purchase, so do some serious stair bashing and check were the crease / reinforce falls and I bet you’ll be impressed. I personally think these boots are pricey I got mine for 215 quid but they are saving me so much less pain they are well worth every penny and they are so much better to walk in than my 4dx and my old scarpa cristallo’s, that I trashed . Can’t wait for snow ....they will cope with it I am sure. I’ll let you know how the snow goes good luck to all and enjoy!

mike peacock
03/06/2011 23:31:54
Rating : 5

Having used La Sportiva Nepal Extremes succesfully Scottish winter & alpine climbing for 3 seasons. They were so comfy & performed so well technically that I thought a lighter, less stiff version would be the biz on scrambles, and long easy alpine rock routes. These boots seem to have been built on a different last. Same size, yet: heel not held in place and most importantly after only a week in Alps & some Scottish days out they have developed a deep crease below the toe box which now squashes feet & renders them unuseable. They are not very waterproof in snow either. Buyer beware: these defects do not become apparent until youve used them for a while.

Bruce Macrosson
04/10/2010 18:28:09
Rating : 2

Over the past 18 years or so I’ve bought various boots that would fall into the ‘4 season’ category. Mostly, they have been disappointingly uncomfortable or not robust and stiff enough. I was lucky enough to get my Alps new for less than half UK RRP. I think they must have been part of bankrupt stock. So, they were quite a bargain. And they certainly look the part. [ending missing]

Jason
14/01/2010 21:03:18
Rating : 5