User Review: Scarpa SL (2002 model with Grinta Sole)

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. The new SL also has the old Grinta sole (thank god) as the M3 sole delamed too much ont he 2000-2001 models, the Grinta sole has great grip on rock and wet surfaces. If you need a warm, well made boot for heavy duty backpacking and 4 season off track walking with a heck of a lot of support, then this is the boot for you (if it fits your foot!).