Hikers and Mountaineers. Do you use La Sportiva footwear?

Spuddy · 3 Oct 2020 at 20:29

Ok, so I've been looking at a pair of La Sportiva boots online for hiking and mountaineering. Hoping they'll serve me well on the way to Everest Base Camp next year and all the prep leading up to.

Mainly asking, do they deserve all the hype they generally get?

And if so, whats their sizing like? Because most physical stores are OOS in my area I will have to order online, and would rather try and minimise the amount of hassle and expense of ordering several sizes to then send them back.

Any other recommendations for other boots welcome too.

Thanks.

MM-Seat · 3 Oct 2020 at 22:27

La Sportiva are one of the go to brands for mountain boots.

I’d strongly advise having them fitted by a professional for Everest Base Camp.

Spuddy · 3 Oct 2020 at 22:36

Thanks, my issue as mentioned in the OP is that most stores are OOS or have limited number of sizes.

Its bad enough just to find my size online it seems in this particular model.

MM-Seat · 4 Oct 2020 at 10:12

I'm out of the loop - is it La Sportiva that are out of stock or all mountain boots?

If it's an issue only for La Sportiva, I would look elsewhere.

Spuddy · 4 Oct 2020 at 13:59

A lot of my local stores are low grade and don't stock mountain boots.

I've ordered them online from 2 different retailers with limited stock, in a 10 (my usual size) and a 10.5 to see which fits best and will send the other back.

I've gone for the La Sportiva Trango TRK.

MM-Seat · 4 Oct 2020 at 15:16

Hope it goes well! Can't go too wrong with La Sportiva.

Id like some proper mountain boots next.

robj20 · 4 Oct 2020 at 15:39

I didn't like them, but I actually tried them on. At the time I was after some B2 boots for general winter hiking/scrambling.
Ended up with Scarpa Mantas but even then I fine them tough on my feet, I have strange feet any of these sturdier boots don't fit me very well but they were the best.
I would never buy boots online unless is already tried them on. Couldn't care less on the brand get the best fitting.
To have only one brand on your radar seems a huge mistake to me.

Spuddy · 4 Oct 2020 at 19:55

MM-Seat said:
Hope it goes well! Can't go too wrong with La Sportiva.

Id like some proper mountain boots next.

Thanks, will update with what they fit like. Do you do much hiking/mountaineering?

robj20 said:
I didn't like them, but I actually tried them on. At the time I was after some B2 boots for general winter hiking/scrambling.
Ended up with Scarpa Mantas but even then I fine them tough on my feet, I have strange feet any of these sturdier boots don't fit me very well but they were the best.
I would never buy boots online unless is already tried them on. Couldn't care less on the brand get the best fitting.
To have only one brand on your radar seems a huge mistake to me.

I don't only have one on my radar, tbh I was looking at some nice Mammuts and Salomon's before I'd even heard of La Sportiva but as seems to be the story of my life, couldn't get either in my size. Then time and time again, shops were recommending the La Sportiva even if they didn't have them in stock. They were a comparable price to the others at £200~.

I have no brand preferences as it means nothing to me, I'm just trying to make an educated decision on what people have recommended most seens as I can't get any of them in physical stores at the mo. I'm guessing COVID is playing havoc with the supply chains in this sector like it is in rest of the world.

If neither pairs fit good enough they'll go straight back. I wont sacrifice comfort and usability just because its what people recommended. Gotta look after your feet first and foremost on these sorts of treks.

MM-Seat · 4 Oct 2020 at 20:09

Yes - working through the experience for the ML award. Although, this year has put me a year behind.

Street · 13 Oct 2020 at 14:31

I'm lucky that I seem to have La Sportiva shaped feet as their boots and shoes fit me perfectly. I got a few pairs of their boots, B2 and B3 and haven't had any problems with them. I've just had one pair resoled after it wore out and delaminated, but that was just through use. Weirdly though, I don't get on with their climbing shoes, I've tried a few models and they just don't fit at all.