Mountaineering Boots

Recent Mountaineering Boot Reviews

La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX

Bomb proof boots. The Nepal Sportiva mountaineering boots are intended for full alpinism activities. They are warm under the coldest of temperatures and, yet, do feel light. Their overall quality is undeniable. The boots perform beautifully with full step-in crampons and the sole's rigidity works wonders protecting your feet from the crampon's duress. Ankle length is convenient and doesn't restrict feet's freedom of movement.   The outer material is soft and durable, fully waterproof, and does… Full review

Alico New Guide

I purchased the Alico New Guides several years ago and put them away. Now that we have moved to the mountains I have started wearing them for hikes and walks on the dirt roads in our neighborhood. I don’t understand the concerns over break in. I left the top a little loose and they have been comfortable from day one. Great boots! Just started wearing the Guides, so limited experience with them, but so far no issues and I love them. Full review

Salewa Rapace GTX

High end boots that are truly next level. Worth the price premium. Had these for five years now. They are my favorite boots. Quality is top notch. Super comfortable. Very stylish design. Love the way they lace up. You can lace them tight and the heel will be locked in, without being uncomfortable.  Sizing is just right. I don't do any actually mountaineering in them but they are great for hiking.  The insole is good, but I replaced it with ones better suited to high arches. The ankle support is… Full review

Salewa Rapace GTX

I recently retired my 2011. Mainly worn in the Sierras on multi-day hikes and locally on the Sant Cruz mountains. Lasted 10 years! Loved those boots. I am female 5ft 6, about 128 lbs and my then-boyfriend bought these. I tried them on and they fit like a glove. I am European so maybe it's the European last Salewa uses that fit my feet so well. I have never worn women's Salewas. Most manufacturers of women's shoes think we have feet like Barbie, so that's why I now only buy men's shoes. The laces… Full review

Kayland Super Rock GTX

Excellent boots for those moments where a hiking shoe does not provide us with the necessary stiffness or insulation. Also, for those days where we will be for long days on snow or ice.   These boots are the most comfortable I have had the opportunity to use. They are excellent for times where we feel that a trekking boot will not be enough, either due to stiffness or insulation. I always try to use them in my high mountain outings until the moment where I have to start using double boots, since… Full review

Alico New Guide

Superb quality, hard to break in, but worth it. This is beyond any boot you will encounter at REI.  They are the tin pants, Hope Diamond, and 1,200-pound anvil of boots, and are really more boot than I need.  But, in an effort to deserve them, I hiked my butt off and have enjoyed them more each trip.  Initially, not knowing how professional leather mountaineering boots were supposed to be filled up with extra thick wool socks, I wore standard backpacking socks and pulled my laces too tight at… Full review

Alico New Guide

All leather, Norwegian-welted boot for heavy duty excursions on and off the beaten path. I have had these for about a year now and during that time have absolutely grown to love them. These are by no means lightweight. They are also extremely stiff when you first get them. Therefore, they require some patience when breaking them in. If you do any research on these boots, you'll soon find out that the only retailer in the US that appears to sell them is Sierra Trading Post (aka Sierra.com now that… Full review

La Sportiva Nepal Extreme

If properly fit and broken in, you can mountain run in these babies... If you get the right gear, you can take them higher without freezing your feet off. First off, add some Green Superfeet. Second, if you want to hike to break these in, be ready for some real pain even with a proper fit... These boots are so rigid, but once broken in are perfect. Or, do the warm water bathtub trick to break them in.  I've broken in two pair of these, one by each method.  Hiking, it took about 30 miles with swaps… Full review

Galibier Super Guide

Classic leather mountaineering boot that is still made, but hard to acquire if you live in USA. Will refine review upon arrival and some trail time. auvieuxcampeur.fr/super-guide-19.html I contacted Pelle Line, in NJ, in May 2020. They were nice BUT they wanted $845. So I declined and continued my quest. I contacted Paraboot directly—NO REPLY. I even got a contact at Paraboot, Pierre Colin, from Thierry Hoo at alaville-alamontagne.com in France that sells the SG's (but does not ship to USA). In… Full review