Boreal Super Latok

These boots are great for mixed conditions and feel equally good with crampons. Nice grip and tough as nails. I have had zero problems with this boot.

The Super Latok are the top boots of Boreal, well known for climbing shoes. They are leather (nabuk, a little delicate) boots with front and back plastic protections. The difference with the lower model (Pamir) consists only in the internal lining, more insulating and with an aereation system.

I've tried them for a season on rock, ice and trekking. They are very well built , and the insulating system works fine: you won't suffer from cold (I've tested them until -14 centigrades), and also walking in low altitudes they become not too warm. The fit is for large feet, and to avoid blisters tie them tight because the heel is not well locked. On the Internet cathalog they are advertised as «expedition» boots, «extremely rigid», very technical etc. Nevertheless, they cannot be considered «technical» or extreme boots. They flex, say, like the La Sportiva Makalu, so that on classical north face terrains (mixed or ice) they become really tiring after 100 meters, and on rock climbs you cannot use little holds. Forget ice falls and serious stuff. They are good boots for high altitude trekking and middle-low difficulty terrains. Do not buy them as technical boots, because they are definitely not that kind of product (what Boreal declares has to be judged at less optimistic).

Very Comfortable right out of the box. Break in period was a snap. A few day hikes is all it took. Threw my La Sportivas in the trash and put my Asolo Plastics on the shelf. Insulation is excellent. The boot is great for mixed use especially with a long approach hike in. Worked well with crampons and snowshoes. While not quite as good for ice as the Plastics, they do have an edge on rock when terrain is mixed.