Mountaineering/Hiking Boots?

[Ajaxv2]

I didn't really know what subforum to put this under, but I figure mountaineering is a form of exercise, so voila, here I am. Can anybody recommend good hiking boots that can also accept strap-on crampons?

I'm going to southern Ontario in August, and I am looking to go ice climbing during the winter. At the moment, I was considering these:
http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/pr...2#ReviewHeader

Any thoughts?

 

[Crane's]

Limmer boots. You can get them custom made or you can pick a pair of their off the shelf models.

http://limmerboot.com/

 

[Milpool]

Really, your only choice is to try them all on and find a pair that properly fits. Having feet that turn to hamburger during a climb can be DEADLY.

 

[Ajaxv2]

Originally Posted by Milpool

Really, your only choice is to try them all on and find a pair that properly fits. Having feet that turn to hamburger during a climb can be DEADLY.

Clearly you don't speak from firsthand experience!

 

[PartagasIV]

Trango GTX'es are decent. What types of hiking/mountaineering are you looking to do? Trangos I believe are geared towards more pure ice climbing than actual extended mountaineering...I climbed Mt. Elbrus in Russia two summers ago and had a pair of 'hybrid' boots (meaning non-plastic shell, which is the traditional mountaineering choice) called the La Sportiva Nuptse (http://www.zappos.com/la-sportiva-nuptse-ice). Really recommend them. Did not ice climb but are definitely crampon-compatible and warm down to -20F. If you want pure ice climbing, go with something like the La Sportiva Nepal GTX..if a mixture of the two, I would say go for a hybrid boot that allows you to do both warmly and comfortably. Fit, as stated above, really is key. Mountaineering is a great form of exercise...I came back from Russia 20 lbs lighter!

 

[upnorth]

Originally Posted by Crane's

Limmer boots. You can get them custom made or you can pick a pair of their off the shelf models.

http://limmerboot.com/

+1. I cannot recommend Limmer enough. The custom made is probably not feasible for most due to its long wait but they do a really good job fitting off the shelf model with superfeet and/ or tongue pads should you need them. Tell them your needs and I am confident they can recommend you the right model. I suspect the standard ones would be overkill for most people. Even their lightweights are by no means light.

 

[GoldenBeaR6]

I love my Scarpa Escape GTX's
http://hardcoreoutdoor.com/2008/07/2...gtx-boots.aspx

 

[dalej]

do the research and buy what will fit the type of use you will be doing.

 

[em36]

These Limmer boots look like my old Asolo Yukons, not made anymore. Something with a norwegian welt, not too stiff.

 

[coachvu]

The Asolo TPS 520 GV boots are some of the most popular right now. I just bought a pair of Zamberlan Vioz GT that I thought fit me better than the Asolo boots. As others said, you really need to try them on. REI carries both these models, so that might be the place to start.

 

[cross22]

Strap on crampons are not good for any serious ice climbing. They are mostly meant for low angle snow travel. You will not be able to find a boot that is good for both hiking and ice climbing. Get two different ones.

 

[TylerDurden]

www.rei.com

I've got several boots from them. Shops in most major cities.

 

[em36]

Originally Posted by cross22

Strap on crampons are not good for any serious ice climbing. They are mostly meant for low angle snow travel. You will not be able to find a boot that is good for both hiking and ice climbing. Get two different ones.

Look at the illustrations in Climbing Ice by Yvon Chouinard. One can tackle steeper routes the more traditional way in leather boots. I will show my age here, and do not know if these are still sold, but my Yukons were stiff enough to fit well into Lowe Footfangs for frontpointing. Actually climbing with these better than my old purple and grey Scarpa plastic boots, esp. on mixed routes with multi-pitches.

 

[onlinematt]

IMO the best hiking boots (not mountaineering) are probably either Zamberlan (look at the 760 Steep GT or the 992 Panther) or Scarpa (look at the SL M3 or the Nepal Pro GTX). It used to be that the best hiking boots were made from a single piece of leather (like the Zamberlan 992 Panther) where the tongue was not a seperate piece stiched onto the body of the boot. I think this gave the boot better water resistance. To break them in, you'd walk through a river and get the boots soaking wet and then walk in them throughout an entire day until the boots had completely dried - this molded the leather to the shape of your foot so the boot ended up fitting like a glove.

Now, it seems that all-leather boots have been surpassed by boots with leather outers and GORE-TEX lining. Sounds like I'm an old fogey, but I'm only talking 8 - 9 years ago.

 

[Superfluous Man]

Han Wag or Lowa for quality hiking boots.