Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Winter Access Forum What boots in winter

Here are the ones I've heard recommended. Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

1. Lowa Mountain Expert - Comments heard: high volume boot
2. Scarpa Summit - Comments heard: heel lift
3. La Sportiva Trango - Comments heard: fit issues, warmth
4. La Sportiva Glacier - Comments heard:

I understand everyone could have a different comment on each boot just as all feet are different. I have low arches and pronate so I use green Superfeet in all boots and shoes. Which winter boot should I get?

Hi James
That's quite a coincidence that the first boots on your list are the exact boots I just bought last night at A16! They are my 4th pair of Lowa boots so far. I just LOVE the Lowa brand, the only bummer is the price...but they are worth it.
I've had great luck with the other three - 1 pair of Renegade GTX and 2 pair of Banffs. All three were good to go right from the box to the trail.
The Mountain Experts might take a little getting used to, but they serve a different purpose than regular hiking boots.
Curt liked the Lowa Silberhorn GTX (with green superfeet), but didn't buy at A16 (they are on sale at REI for $299...reg $440 a smokin' deal)
He ordered them online today. I'll let you know how they both work out after a test run in a couple of weeks.
I've heard the same comments as you re: LS Trango...also keeping dry has been an issue for some. Curt hated them.
The Scarpas are nice, but the Summit seems to be hard to find in our area.
Good luck in your search,
Stacy

Keep an eye out for boots at Sierra Trading Post. Recently they have had Lowa Mountain Experts, Scarpa Summits and many others. I picked up a pair of Summits a few weeks ago for under $200

Mike, Great deal. I've been checking that site the past day or two and I've seen the Summits but not in my size, same with the Lowa Mountain Expert. I wear a size 11(US), not sure if I would have to size up or down from that for boots since I wear the Superfeet. When I do find my size, would you say a Summit over a Lowa or vice versa?

Stacy, Why did Curt prefer the Silberhorn over the Expert?

Thanks!

James, the Summits sold out very fast. I got lucky and my size popped back up a few days later. I haven't tried any of the Lowe's so I can't compare, but I've been using the Scarpa Triolet's and they are very comfortable.

James: My current winter Sierra boots are:

La Sportiva Glacier (mostly travel below 11,000' or temperature not colder than zero degrees F.)

La Sportiva Makalu (worn with old-style insulated Super Gaiters above 12,000' in technical terrain or temperature below zero F.

In the mid-winter Sierra at altitudes over 11,000' I prefer double boots, but I out-grew my old Galibier Hivernales (model circa 1977) so am making due until next season (my feet have flattened and webs seem to be appearing between my toes as I grow older )

Doug Forbes

Thanks everyone for the input. Time to go shopping. No more wet feet! Maybe webbed but not wet.

LaSportiva Nepal GTX are my choice for 14er range winter boots. Make sure to size up a half size for any LaSportiva boot.

James-
He actually tried on several pair at A16...Lowa Cevedale & Silberhorn, La Sportiva Trango, etc...but A16 doesn't carry the MENS Mtn Expert, just womens. He also looked at the L.S. Nepal Evos online to compare.
I think the reason he ordered the Silberhorns was:
A) they fit and were comfortable (Superfeet did not require a size up to fit)
B) the sale price at REI - saving $140 made them cheaper than the Experts
C) couldn't find the Summits in his size
D) the mens Expert is bright RED!!! LOL

Remember, we are both very new at this game. You will get much better 'technical' advice from the guys (like Mike) who actually get out and use this stuff for what it's intended to do.
All of these boots are worthy of handling far more than we can dish out right now. But, thanks to Doug Sr ;), the desire to take winter hiking a step further is there, so we just want to be prepared for future hikes in colder weather and using crampons.
Stacy

SJ47: Thanks, I'll check those out too.

Stacy, Thanks, I've noticed it hard to find sizes too in stores and on web sites. Must be the season. Can't wait to get them though!

James

Check out Zappos.com too. They offer free shipping and a no hassle, 365 day return policy and carry a surprisingly large inventory of heavy mountaineering boots.

James
You got that right! If you're in the LA area, A16 did have the Trangos, Silberhorns and Cevedales in 10.5 & 11 when we were there. REI online had those sizes also.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on.
Stacy

Since some of these boots seem to be available online only, how do the various brands fit? For example, do Scarpas run small? Large? Scarpas, Lowas, La Sportivas. Am I missing any? Thanks!

I found a pair of La Sportiva Glacier boots and they feel great. They're stiff but I'm used to the floppy/soggy summer boots in the snow. Going to get these out for some local hikes to get used to them then up to the snow. Need to get gaiters. The wilderness shops are like Disneyland.

See you in the mountains!

That's great James, glad you found something.
A few of us went up and snowshoed on San Jacinto yesterday. We didn't summit, but got some good practice (about 6 miles) on the snowshoes with some off trail stuff traversing across a few hillsides. It's a blast...if you can stomach the tram ride up...lol.
See ya out there,
Stacy

That sounds fun, I love San Jacinto. And the tram too. Vertigo is my friend. Haven't been up or down the tram in in a while. I wonder if they still play the same music in the tram car. See you out there!

Mike,
Which do you like better the Triolets or the Summits?

James,
I haven't tried my Summits yet, but they are two different style boots, so I probably won't have a favorite. The Triolets are my winter boots for Socal mountains and alpine Sierra day climbs and the Summits will be for overnight winter Sierra climbs and ice climbing.

I wore my Triolets yesterday up to Upper Boy Scout Lake where it was 5 degrees and windy. My feet were warm except when I stopped for more than 10 minutes.

Cool, thanks. That's about what I've read about the two boots, thx.

5 degrees and windy. Do you have to layer much or just jeans and a sweatshirt?

UPS just delivered these:

Raichle ALL-DEGREE LITE SL GORE-TEX MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS

Less than 4 pounds… Less than $100 with the discounts.

Toebox seems a little tight, so the toes may get cold in a hurry. They are light, though.