La Sportiva Men's Boulder X Mid Mountain Shoes

Product Information

I bought the Boulder X Mid GTX before a trip to the Bugaboos and convinced my partner to do the same; we were psyched, not only because our shoes matched, but they worked really well. I also took them to Argentine Patagonia and was very pleased in certain conditions. Every product is a compromise; you can’t optimize everything at once. Stand on the A4 paper with your heel pressed firmly against the wall and your foot pointed forward with the edge of your big toe aligned with the edge of the paper. Lining: The lining uses Gore-Tex® Extended Comfort. Gore-Tex® Extended Comfort is specialised technology that provides waterproof breathability, performing best in moderate to warm conditions or high-intensity activity. Extended Comfort prevents water from seeping inside the shoe yet is permeable enough to let sweat vapour escape, helping regulate temperature and improve comfort levels.

Note: these can perform like a minimalist mountaineering boot for light-and fast climbs, but they will not keep you warm like a proper mountain boot and they will not climb ice well, especially with aluminum strap-on crampons. Then again, Fitz Roy has been climbed in shoes like this… The mid cut of these boots offers extra support and structure around the ankle, which feels super comfy when scrambling and hiking through rougher, uneven grounds. The La Sportiva Boulder X is the result of years of dedication and design tweaking. They have managed to produce a shoe that not only looks great but has great levels of support and comfort. Bottom line: these are a very well-built shoe that excel in a specific environment, and are probably not appropriate for other uses:Rand is thin, so not durable. Same problem as the Boulder X: you will trash these if you jumar, and the rand will not last long.

This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister. La Sportiva made the Boulder X Mid GTX as a beefier, mid-height, waterproof version of the popular Boulder X approach shoe. While many approach shoes are simply subtle variations on the styles of others, the Boulder X Mid GTX stands alone as it fills a particular niche that remains empty: like the famous “lungfish” found off the coast of Madagascar that represents the evolution from fish to reptiles, this shoe fills the gap between approach shoe and mountaineering boot.

What Other Approach Shoes Should You Consider?

So in a world blossoming with so many shapes and styles of approach shoe, why do we need another one? There are no additional costs or duties on products marketed in countries within the European Union. Customers will not have to pay anything on delivery. The TX line is broken up into three models: TX2, TX4 and TX5, with the number depending on the weight and stiffness of the shoe (TX2 being lightweight). TX4 and TX5 models are also broken up into a low and a mid version, so that you’re able to fine tune the fit, stiffness and weight based on the intended use. This shoe can do it all, from precise climbing on mid-5th class terrain to rugged hikes to long aid climbs