Scarpa SL
Average Rating: 
Reviewed by 36 Trailspace users
Description
The SL is a backpacking boot made by Scarpa. It has an average rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5), based on 36 user reviews.
User Reviews
SL
Reviewed by Philip Partridge, Feb 07, 2005
"My old Scarpa SLs had put in a wonderful performance for 13 years and several thousand tough kilometres, but the resole price made a new pair a better option. I do a lot of extended snow and bad weather walking (for my kind of photography) and I had enjoyed my old boots in these conditions, so I did the research and came across the top brands."
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SL
Reviewed by Anon, Nov 18, 2004
"I have worn these in the Italian Alps, Yosemite, all over California's Central Coast, three solid months on survey in highland Peru, and as work boots after that. Fantastic!
Only problem is that I now have to have them resoled and the cuffs repaired."
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SL
Reviewed by Andrew, Sep 28, 2004
"Solid and very waterproof, this boot has (almost) made long and steep hill climbs easy.
The lacing system makes the boot very solid around your foot and doesn't concentrate the force of the lacing onto your ankle. Particularly, the hook holding the tongue in place adds a great deal of comfort."
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SL
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Jan 19, 2004
"After 8 weeks to break in, perfect. Hiked over 120 miles at Philmont with full pack. Great. Best boot I have used.
ML"
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SL
Reviewed by Rick Seng, Nov 15, 2003
"Still have the same boots from 1996 with close to 2000 miles on them I still wouldn't trade them in for anything."
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SL (2002 model with Grinta Sole)
Reviewed by Paul, Apr 25, 2002
"Deliberated over which boot to buy, Scarpa Manta or Scarpa SL, needed a very heavy duty hiking boot which has to cope with glacier traverses and very rough scree slopes in addition to travelling and general track walking. Mantas seemed to be too stiff and are more of a light mountaineering boot (for want of a better term), wheras the new SL is a heck of a lot stiffer than the older version, yet is still not as stiff as the Manta."
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SL
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Jun 21, 2001
"Saw these on sale after winter at Marmot, last year's stock. Break-in: Wore around house, garage, walked the hills of Seattle once at lunch. Treated with sno-seal. Tossed stock inserts and replaced with SuperFeet.
All the other reviews say it all."
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SL
Reviewed by Patrick, Apr 20, 2001
"These boots are excellent. Very supportive, durable, comfortable, and all around great. The Vibram sole grips like a claw. Good for walking around town to tough off trail work. For me the break-in was brief and easy, I had and have no blisters with these boots."
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SL
Reviewed by Eric Morris, Nov 15, 2000
"I've owned these boots for over 4 years now and have found them to be almost perfect. My only complaint would be the extended break-in period; but that's to be expected. I've used these to hike and camp up and down the Colorado mountains with packs weighing anywhere from 15 to 60 lbs with no problem."
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SL
Reviewed by Rick Seng, Nov 05, 2000
"Scarpa SL's are an excellent boot. I hiked the first 1,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail with non-SL boots and had nothing but problems. I broke in my SLs on the trail and my boot problems went away in week one. The boots have well over a 1,000 miles and are holding up GREAT. Go get a pair."
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SL
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Jan 28, 2000
"If I was allowed only one piece of footware this is it. By far the best boot I have ever owned. It is relatively stiff and took a full 3 months of everyday wear to break-in, but once it did wow what a comfortable fit. I never experienced a blister or hot spot during break-in."
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SL
Reviewed by Sean, Jan 07, 2000
"I hate to write reviews but these boots deserve my thanks.
They are the best boots I have had...I cannot image anyone not enjoying these boots for years. They keep me going when the rest of my body hurts. I will buy another pair after these and my friend have switch to these after see how they hold up....I Highly Recommend the SCARPA SL."
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SL
Reviewed by Derek Riggle, Nov 26, 1999
"I've had my Scarpas for over a year now and absolutely love them. My brother, an avid hiker and walking maniac, turned me on to them by just having a pair that lasted him 4 years now and they're still going strong (after 1 resole)
i've worn mine out on uncountable trips around home and on a 14 day trip to alaska and their durability and strenght is unbeatable."
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SL
Reviewed by Edward L. Heaton, Nov 18, 1999
"I have had the boots now going on 3 yrs and so far so good. The boot is very stiff and provide a tremendous amount of support. I like the boot and would buy another pair. The draw back to this boot is that it is very heavy and not really intendend for light weights."
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SL
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Oct 16, 1999
"What a great boot! It was comfortable but a little stiff out of the box. I have trouble getting a good fit with some boots as I have a narrow heal but wide toes. Break-in took a while but about what one would expect from a boot designed for rough trails."
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SL
Reviewed by Warren Anderson, Aug 29, 1999
"I love these boots so damn much. they are built so fantastically well, it is amazing. the boots broke in quite easily after a couple of hikes and some lubrication. never had a blister or hot spot, let alone ankle problems. i will never buy any other boot besides this one (after i resole them once more)."
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SL
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Aug 23, 1999
"Am an experienced mountaineer. Read all the great reviews of this boot. My experience was quite different. Break-in was hell. Had to wear pads on top of my foot because the pain from the crease (created under normal hiking conditions) in the heavy leather was unbearable."
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SL
Reviewed by Chuck Lubelczyk, Aug 04, 1999
"Having problem feet, it took a long time to get a pair of boots that could be used every day for work in Maine and still last more than 1 or two field seasons. These boots are great!. I liked the ankle support and the fit after a couple of months break-in time."
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SL
Reviewed by Ewan Crawford, Apr 15, 1999
"Great boot, excellent fit. I found them great for all my uses from Scottish mountain walking to summer trail walking in the south of France. Sometimes doesn't provide support for nasty mis-steps but other than that medium wear over last two years. Great boot for any one except heavy mountain climbers and skiers."
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SL (XX)
Reviewed by Richard Bell, Mar 22, 1999
"I guess it's something of a cliche by now, having read the other reviews of this boot, but it's absolutely fantastic. The break in period was surprisingly short and the fit was perfect (I bought the SLXX for my wide feet). Although against all the rules (and common sense!) I first used them on a 27 mile LDWA event in the Dales, and my feet suffered absolutely no ill effects whatsoever."
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SL
Reviewed by Doug, Mar 11, 1999
"Replacing my first pair of SL's after 4 yrs of heavy use, and they have been great. Never got a blister until I replaced the stock insoles with SuperFeet. Traction outstanding, even on steep loose stuff with 50+ lb. pack. Will definitely replace with another Scarpa product, either another pair of SL's or the Fitzroy. They are worth the hefty price tag."
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SL
Reviewed by Brian Fetterman, Dec 03, 1998
"The Scarpa SL is truly a fabulous boot. The support is rock solid, the sole is stiff and grippy, and they can take a soaking and still keep your feet as dry as a bone. These are quite possibly the perfect hiking boot, or would be except for two problems, one of which is cosmetic."
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SL
Reviewed by Faith Walker, Sep 10, 1998
"Great boots. Broke-in good and now feel like fine leather gloves on my feet. Scarpa knows how to make a great boot. I tried Tecnica/Alta but felt like tanks on my feet, also very hot. Not too many miles on them yet but I expect many. My partner had new Timberland Eurohikers and they blew-out in less then 5 miles on the trail."
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SL
Reviewed by Tony, Aug 20, 1998
"Comments: Terrain: Green Mountains, Vermont, in Camel's Hump region. Very rocky, tree rooted with short steep rises and falls.
Task: Move 60miles in 2. 5 days.
Load: 35lbs.
My age: 49
Team age: 30 to 49
Experience: ex Special Forces."
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SL
Reviewed by Mark Dixon, Dec 17, 1997
"These are the best medium weight boots I have yet owned. They fit my rather narrow foot perfect right out of the box. I really didn't have a break in. Currently these boots are about to be trash canned. After 3 summer seasons the soles are worn flat and the inside leather is starting to crack."
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SL
Reviewed by HJK, Nov 28, 1997
"I think I'm the only person on the planet who found these boots difficult to break in and uncomfortable on easy terrain. However, with better insoles, these boots are absolutely superb carrying heavy loads or on mountain hikes where support is crucial."
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SL
Reviewed by Steve, Aug 22, 1997
"I was looking at Vasque, EMS (Alico), Asolo and Merrell when I read about Scarpas at this site. I tried a pair of Scarpa Deltas on during a business trip to Maine and LOVED the way they fit (size 47) my average width and low to average volume foot but I felt that they would be too light for my rocky, rutted, muddy, snowy trails of New England so I held out to look for the slightly stiffer SL's."
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SL
Reviewed by Milan Petrovic, Jul 30, 1997
"My first pair of boots promised much. Fine leather, a nice stepping motion from the sole and a feel of heavy duty indestructability.
The leather is not treated for water resistance and despite periodic treatment with wax based preparations will become soaked during a long walk."
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SL
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Jul 30, 1997
"These are excellent boots. I wasn't really looking at Scarpas, but tried them on and they fit too well to ignore. My foot has little arch, medium width. I did add a pad under the tongue to add some volume.
I've used them mostly for hiking so far, in the U."
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SL
Reviewed by c777w@..., Mar 03, 1997
"I looked all through this page, as well as every boot review in Backpackin Library, snooped around and finally went and tired on a pair of these boots. I know you're not supposed to buy the first pair of boots you try on, but I couldn't help it. The quality of these boots jumps out all over you."
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SL
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Feb 07, 1997
"I have owned my scarpas for about five years, and they are still going. These are the most comfortable, most efficient boots I have come across. This goes for any model that they have made. My buddy has been hiking for 35 years, and he won't use anything now except Scarpa. My brother, father, sister, and mother all wear these boots, and have never had a complaint."
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SL
Reviewed by jwh150@..., Jan 26, 1997
"So far, these boots have been great for off trail travel through Pennsylvania's toughest cover. My feet have been comfy in wet, dry, steep, snowy, and slushy conditions. Scarpas seem to be very well made (I had to send a pair of Gore tex Danners back cause my piggies were gettin' soaked). No problems thus far.....but make sure you get a good fit before you buy!!"
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SL
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Oct 07, 1996
"I have owned Asolo, Vasque, Merrell and many other boots but they are nothing compared to these. I have used them with strap on crampons, backpacking, scrambling, sledding, shopping and everything else. I love these, great support, tough, waterproof and the Vibram Grinta soles grip like no tomorrow."
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Have you owned or used a Scarpa SL? Share your thoughts with other hikers and backpackers.
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