Scarpa, La Sportiva and Lowa Boots? (2 Viewers)

[SeeToh]

I am currently undecided over which boots to get.

The three models (available at Amazon) I am looking at are:

1. La Sportiva Omega GTX (US$199.89)
2. Scarpa Zanskar GTX (US$226.14)
3. Lowa Renegade GTX (US$219.95)

The first two are made in Italy while the third in Solvakia.

I am more inclined towards the Scarpa but would like to hear your thoughts.

I am looking for a waterproof boots that will keep my feet dry as I trek through muddy ground and shallow stream or puddles of water.

 

[Chosun Juan]

SeeToh, I don't have any first-hand experience with those particular models, but my preference in a hiking boot is always for a Gore-Tex lined quality leather boot, to which I then condition and maintain with Sno-Seal (mainly beeswax). At the moment I've got a great pair of really sturdy Kathmandu thick leather boots with such a lining.

While the boots are now fully worn-in, and supportive, and comfortable as all get-out, the boot skins however have outlasted the lining, with small holes now worn through the lining at the spur of the heel. This is pretty much the price you usually pay with these linings, despite this pair having trekked mountains all over the world. Try and lob on the suppleness and fit side of the flexibility / support / ruggedness equation. That way the life of the GTX linings and the leather boot skins will marry-up a bit closer.


Chosun :gh:

 

[RJM]

The thing about waterproof breathable membranes like Gortex is that they only BREATH when the outer fabric can stay CLEAN and not wet out. Obviously, tramping thru mud and/or submerging them in water defeats their breathability. And since they can't breath your feet will quickly get wet from sweat and then you get blisters or worse.

Gortex in footware is only good when it is cold and you are walking in snow as the membrane traps heat and the outer fabric can stay relatively dry/clean.

Most of the time you are better off with non-insulated wellies, light mesh trail runners/mids or aqua shoes/sandals that don't absorb water and that can dry quickly and a few changes of socks.

 

[Bowlander]

Just got back from a 6mile walk on the fells wearing my Meindl Douvre Extremes. Got no issues with Goretex lined boots.

 

[RJM]

I don't have the time/patience to clean and maintain expensive heavy leather boots after every use. Moreover, carrying a pound on your foot is like five pounds on the back! Wastes energy and wears me down. But I tend to do 20km/day treks up and around alpine mountains so YMMV. Good trekking footwear only lasts ~500km before it needs to be replaced and I go thru ~2-3 pairs a year.

In some mud/water scenarios, there is no optimum solution. In such cases, best to just channel your inner child and embrace "playing" in the muck or just stay home.

 

[Chosun Juan]

The thing about waterproof breathable membranes like Gortex is that they only BREATH when the outer fabric can stay CLEAN and not wet out. Obviously, tramping thru mud and/or submerging them in water defeats their breathability. And since they can't breath your feet will quickly get wet from sweat and then you get blisters or worse.

Gortex in footware is only good when it is cold and you are walking in snow as the membrane traps heat and the outer fabric can stay relatively dry/clean ....

Whoa! Rick - that's delving into the whole 'mass transportation across the phase boundary' voodoo magik area of science ....

As you then say, this may work better in some circumstances than others (including hot, dry climes) ....

.... In some mud/water scenarios, there is no optimum solution. In such cases, best to just channel your inner child and embrace "playing" in the muck or just stay home.

And also that YMMV. I think it's fairly certain that there's no one size fits all solution for every circumstance. I have relatively little experience of membrane-type performance in the tropics, but for all other environs find that a GoreTex, or similar technology works pretty well. I think something along those lines may suit, and yes even the toughest boots do wear out.

I would just go for a lighter weight of leather, to match the wear rates of the linings, and allow a better fit (which should help minimise lining wear anyway) - unless of course you'll be dealing with lots of sharp rocks. No matter what the construction choice, I've found that Murphy's Law will surely apply ...... choose a heavier /thicker construction, and you can walk among all the sharp objects you like - you'll never nick 'em. Conversely, choose a lighter weight (thinner) construction, and no matter how delicately you tip toe through the smooth weather worn landscape - you'll nick 'em right in the spot that will allow maximum water ingress! Roll the dice, and enjoy the game.


Chosun :gh:

 

[silverback69]

I am currently undecided over which boots to get.

The three models (available at Amazon) I am looking at are:

1. La Sportiva Omega GTX (US$199.89)
2. Scarpa Zanskar GTX (US$226.14)
3. Lowa Renegade GTX (US$219.95)

The first two are made in Italy while the third in Solvakia.

I am more inclined towards the Scarpa but would like to hear your thoughts.

I am looking for a waterproof boots that will keep my feet dry as I trek through muddy ground and shallow stream or puddles of water.

IMO Lowa boots are top notch. I have had a pair for about 7 years. I bought my dad a pair. He has hardly got them off his feet in the past 5 years or so. Had them resoled about 4 times now from all the walking he does in them. Great boot.

 

[SeeToh]

IMO Lowa boots are top notch. I have had a pair for about 7 years. I bought my dad a pair. He has hardly got them off his feet in the past 5 years or so. Had them resoled about 4 times now from all the walking he does in them. Great boot.

Thanks for your view. LOWA is German and I reckon should make great shoes even though made in Slovakia. But also heard good things about the Italian brand Scarpa.

It is between these two brands now. Ceteris paribus, would you choose a German brand +but made in Slovakia) or a made in Italy shoes at about same price?

 

[Mono]

Italian designed boots tend to be made on a narrower last than German boots so the fit can be very different, buying footwear over the Internet can be very tricky.

 

[SeeToh]

For dress shoes, my feet fit nicely into a US 7D.

The smallest size offered by Lowa and Scarpa is 40M which I think is equivalent to US 7.5D.

I am Asian so may be the narrower last may fit me better since the boots I am getting is half a size bigger than my dress shoe.

 

[RJM]

http://practicaltravelgear.com/8-things-you-should-know-about-gore-tex/

Pay attention to point #2. Your feet and wallet will thank you.

Even the British Mountaineering Council says nix to Goretex in hot climates. See the last questions in the Expert Q&A, https://www.thebmc.co.uk/hill-skills-tropical-walking

Not even the US military uses Goretex in their combat uniform boots.

 

[SeeToh]

http://practicaltravelgear.com/8-things-you-should-know-about-gore-tex/

Pay attention to point #2. Your feet and wallet will thank you.

Even the British Mountaineering Council says nix to Goretex in hot climates. See the last questions in the Expert Q&A, https://www.thebmc.co.uk/hill-skills-tropical-walking

Not even the US military uses Goretex in their combat uniform boots.

Noted. I will go for the Lowa Renegade II (non-Goretex) Mid Hiking Boots. But got to wait for the price to drop again. It was previously on offer at $159 at Amazon but price back to $219 now

I just needed a reliable boot that will keep moisture on the outside from getting into the interior of the boots. Just hate to walk around in shoes with moist/wet feet/socks.

 

[RJM]

Is it even possible in Singapore? I've walked the city streets there in open sandals and my feet got swollen from the heat and my soles wet/slippery with sweat. Several times I popped into the numerous foot massage parlors seeking quick relief. Still have stigmata-like scars from the blisters!

Seems to me your local stores would stock appropriate footwear for the climate?

Wet feet are really only a problem in cold/freezing weather (frostbite) OR if your feet can never dry out (a few days of which can lead to trenchfoot). Rubber wellies are common in Japan for tramping around the forests in the rainy season, especially if traversing shoe-sucking mud holes. But like full leather boots, they are heavy and don't breath at all and your feet will eventually prune up from sweat if worn long enough.

Light mesh trail runners and mids worn with a gaiter and a few pairs of THIN nylon socks to change on breaks seem to work best for me most treks. Use any stream crossing as an opportunity to wash any mud and dirt off and take breaks to air out your feet and rotate thru dry socks.

But in your climate, I might just wear my Salomon Techamphibian without any socks and call it good. These are what I use when trekking in Hawaii.