Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board boots

I am going to MR route in early may I want to buy leather boots for this trip willing to spend $250.00 or less..Many good brands out their.which one would you use?? I will be useing crampons with them. thanks...
mark

I am looking into new boots myself. Not sure what your needs are, but the most high-tech boots I have found are the La Sportiva Trango S Evo GTX. They seem to do it all, and only weight about 2 1/2 pounds for the pair. The cost is $250. Good luck on which ever boot you choose.

I'm also a Sportiva fan, but you need to try them on to see how they work for your foot. There are several excellent Sportiva models - you may want to call the company and discuss the options - I've found them to be very knowledgable and helpful.

I recommend trying REI's top of line boot. I think its called Spirt 2. My feet are long (13) and flat. I use a Spenco liner, and I love them. I have spent two weeks in them nonestop and never had any problems.

I have those same La Sportiva Trangos. They've been ideal, and i've used them on Rainier and Hood and a couple of other relatively mild weather snow climbs. (as in below freezing but not below zero.) I use them with Superfeet insoles added, so that if i wanted to triple up my socks and add chemical warmers, instead of just double socks, i can take out the extra insoles and the fit is still good. They seem warm, and light. Always everyone else with me on these climbs uses double plastic boots, and i wonder if in an emergency situation i'd regret having leather, but so far it's been a huge advantage being lighter.

I just purchased a pair of Montrail Lotus GTX boots that fit like they were made for me. I also tried on a pair of LaSportivas that felt heavier and definitely stiffer as they were new and the ones I bought had been hiked in a bit. Doing the MR in June myself and with the Montrails and Charlet Moser ***** Ice crampons I am all set. Definitely take your time to check fit for your foot, realize these are not running shoes, and you will be pleased with how they perform. Also, look into trekking poles for balance while crossing streams and such, then switch to an ice axe up higher.

Replacing the insoles with models you prefer further customizes the feel of the boot, and the choice of which sock you wear will make all the difference as well. I use a polypro liner and then a hiking sock on top of that. The Montrails are not leather, but Gore-Tex and nylon, but light, waterproof and an all around great feel. It takes some getting used to wearing more weight on your foot, but these boots also enable you to carry moderate to heavy loads more efficiently and with a level of confidence a flimsy hiking boot doesn't.