La Sportiva TRK

Potentially good boots for hiking. They have a narrow to medium width fit. The best feature of the boots is the one piece upper which has few seams to come unraveled. The fit was also excellent for my feet, nice padding. The lacing goes down to the toes for a tight, good fit around your feet.

Now the problems, the first is the lacing around the ankle flexes on the trail and no matter what, ALWAYS comes lose from the eyelets. La Sportiva does NOT stand by their product. The heels on both my boots delaminated and separated after a messily 3 years of very light and occasional, seasonal usage.

Obviously the problem stems from bad material or workmanship. They won't deal with returned boots over a year old. The last time I checked, very few people wear quality hiking boots all year like running shoes to wear out so quickly. Plus, I have several other cement lasted hiking boots much older and far more worn out than my TRK's and they are not delaminating. AKA, Scarpa, Boreal, Montrail, or for that matter, my other pair of La Sportiva's sitting in my closet.

Overall, there are more than enough other companies making great hiking boots other than La Sportiva.

I will not be purchasing another pair from this brand. La Sportiva just lost a customer. Kayland's look pretty good about now...

After reading the reviews of La Sportiva boots, I decided they were the boots for my attempt to summit Kilimanjaro via the Western Breach. I drove to every sports outfitter in the D/FW area this past weekend looking for a pair. Finally found some at REI for about $200 on sale -- an immediate perfect fit!

Well, I decided to hold off on this purchase because I'd already blown my "mad money" budget for this month. Anyhow, when I got home I checked on ebay, and found this pair new in the box for $35. Of course I placed a bid; auction ended around 8 a.m. Monday, with me as winning bidder; and I received them today.

They fit perfectly RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX! I'm sure that with some breaking in, they'll feel even better. If the out-the-box fit is any indicator of future comfort, I'll definitely be buying another pair.

Pleased with mine. I think they run a half euro size small. These boots are suprisingly light for the build. Mine are about two months old and still shed water and stains well. They are fabric lined with a nicely padded ankle and minimal padding in the foot box. I'd but them again.

Update: November 7, 2002

Had them for a while now. Light in weight but fairly stiff and sturdy. Definately runs small by a full US size or about 1 1/2 euro size. Very minimal padding on the very hard bottom. Get a good insole first and buy a size that fits with the insole.

Best boots I've owned. Great for multi-day backpacking both above and below alpine. Very comfortable, surprisingly light and completely bombproof!