| Finding the right boots for your feet can be a lengthy | | | | Leightweight Technical Boots |
| and expensive process. Many outdoor stores are well | | | | These guys are the future of mountaineering boots. |
| stocked if they carry two different models and | | | | Though not as warm, they are half they wright as |
| many carry none at all. There are numerous | | | | their predasessors and climb twice as nice. The Trago |
| manufacturers making boots for all types of climbing | | | | S Evo performs finely on rock while the Trango |
| and for every style of foot. Sizing these boots can | | | | Extreme is great on ice and rock. |
| be near impossible if you don't live near a climbing | | | | * La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo GTX |
| destination with a well stocked store. Here are some | | | | * La Sportiva Trango S Evo GTX |
| tips on starting your quest for the ultimate | | | | The Trick: Trying Them On |
| mountaineering boot. | | | | There are not many places where you can try on |
| Plastic Mountaineering Boots | | | | several different boots and leave the store smiling. |
| Plastic boots are designed for extreme conditions. | | | | Most REI's don't sell leathers or the synthetics or all |
| They are called "double boots" which means they | | | | of the plastics. Oddly enough, the best place to find a |
| have a warm insulating liner with a firm plastic shell. | | | | great selection is not at the REI type super stores |
| They perform well in rocky scree terrain, extreme | | | | but at the mom and pop retailers located near major |
| cold and moisture. A great type of boot for | | | | climbing areas. Below I have profiled one of these |
| beginners and high altitude mountaineering. Pros: Quick | | | | shops and have listed their inventory. Feel free to let |
| drying, extremely durable, short break-in period and | | | | me know of any others and I will include them in this |
| comfortable on the feet. Cons: They can be heavy | | | | list. |
| and awkward to walk in | | | | Profile #1 The Fifth Season, Mt Shasta, Ca |
| * Koflach Vertical Boot | | | | These guys have the best mountaineering boot |
| * Scarpa Inverno Boot | | | | selection in CA. They specialize in custom boot fitting |
| * Koflach Degree Boot | | | | and friendly, knowledgable service. |
| Leather Boots | | | | Shopping Online |
| Leather boots with a full shank/lug soles are more | | | | Another angle to take when shopping for boots is to |
| snug on the foot and precise on steeper climbs. They | | | | order your size from an online distributor and then |
| resemble the feel of hiking boots when walking on | | | | return them if the fit is not correct. Some retailers |
| firm surfaces and are lighter than double plastics. | | | | may even send a couple pairs at a time on the |
| They excell when climbing on variable snow, ice and | | | | understanding that they will be returned in good |
| rock terrain. Pros: Lighter and more precise. Cons: Not | | | | shape and in a reasonable time period. A credit card |
| warm enough without over boots for high altitude | | | | number is held on deposit for this type of transaction. |
| (above 14,000 ft), Longer break-in period, Can be | | | | Below are a couple of recommended online retailers. |
| hard on the feet if not fit properly. | | | | * Moosejaw.com |
| * La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX | | | | * Backcountry.com |
| * La Sportiva K4 S Boot | | | | * REI |