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