If you have had the chance to read my 'What Boot' entry, you will see I have been looking for a new pair of boots. I wanted a pair that could be used for regular hill walking, that were going to last me a while, were comfy as heck, so of good quality, and I could use in mountains even in winter (to a degree). So a kind of cross over boot was required. After trawling through website reviews, and endless questioning in various out doors shops. I finally bought a pair!
I spent about 3 hours in Go Outdoors, annoying the assistants, trying on lots of different boots, which to be fair, were all very nice. I retried on the Mammut XT Trail GTX's which look and felt fantastic - although apparently have problems with the soul coming away after short usage! But these were what was on my mind to buy, great looking and feeling pair of cross over boots (hill and mountain) so have a sturdy soul for crampon compatibility too, and the latest model have the rubber rand right around the boot now as well.
I also tried on the Berghaus Terrazed, the grip on these was immense. And they looked pretty beefy, and as I said, perhaps a future classic? I even tried on a pair of Mantas, just to see what they feel like. As I said, I was annoying the assistant's, boxes everywhere!
In the end I settled on the Scarpa SL M3 wide fit boots. Yes the Manta's are great, but as I said in the 'What Boot?' post - overkill for a hill walker. I love the look of these, and the comfort level is pure quality. The on-line reviews tell the story of a classic boot too.
Here they are..
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
I will however be buying some of that Scarpa HS12 cream for them, to give them some extra waterproofing.
So all is needed now is to break them in and get some testing on the fells!
I spent about 3 hours in Go Outdoors, annoying the assistants, trying on lots of different boots, which to be fair, were all very nice. I retried on the Mammut XT Trail GTX's which look and felt fantastic - although apparently have problems with the soul coming away after short usage! But these were what was on my mind to buy, great looking and feeling pair of cross over boots (hill and mountain) so have a sturdy soul for crampon compatibility too, and the latest model have the rubber rand right around the boot now as well.
I also tried on the Berghaus Terrazed, the grip on these was immense. And they looked pretty beefy, and as I said, perhaps a future classic? I even tried on a pair of Mantas, just to see what they feel like. As I said, I was annoying the assistant's, boxes everywhere!
In the end I settled on the Scarpa SL M3 wide fit boots. Yes the Manta's are great, but as I said in the 'What Boot?' post - overkill for a hill walker. I love the look of these, and the comfort level is pure quality. The on-line reviews tell the story of a classic boot too.
Here they are..
Features: |
|
So all is needed now is to break them in and get some testing on the fells!
5 comments:
Currently £92.49 at Nevis Sports. (07/08/2011) best price found.
Bought a pair of the same.
Good choice on the boots, my mate swears by his Scarpas. I have a set of Altbergs that I will be doing a review on soon that look almost exactly the same as those.
These have been good, and reliable. Sadly they don't look much like how they do in the pictures here anymore. But they get the thumbs up from me. They do miss a rubber rand, and a water proof liner though. Although I see Scarpa have added those feature into the new versions!!! Hmmm
I like the look, and the feedback of Altbergs. Quality :)
I used Altbergs at work in mainly terrible conditions, held up extremely well, the were custom made by the firm, but then they do that!
Had the Scarpa's for a while now, also an excellent boot, if I were to choose between the two, I couldn't! Buy either with confidence I say but please make your own minds up.
Post a Comment