Asolo AFS Ottomila, $400
5 pounds, 2 ounces for U.S. size 8
Summary: Asolo’s AFS Ottomila is a light, warm, and supportive boot that is suitable for arctic (single-digit Fahrenheit) temps. The liner’s combination of closed-cell foam, Thinsulate, and heat-reflective Mylar film kept our feet toasty on even the most brutally cold days. The shell’s stiff sole and ankle provided great support when frontpointing on endless slopes. The shell also featured a second lacing system under the tongue for fine-tuning the boot’s tension, with a hinged support tab that holds the tongue out of the way when making lacing adjustments. The Ottomila’s overall stiffness and flat sole made it an awkward hiker, and the rigid one-piece ankle inhibited the boot’s steep ice and rock-climbing performance. Fits medium to medium-narrow feet.
Pros: Great ankle support. Light.
Cons: Awkward hiker. Ankle feels stiff on vertical terrain.
Overall grade: B


Asolo AFS Evolvzione, $300
5 pounds, 8 ounces for U.S. size 8
Summary: The AFS Evolvzione is a more economically priced and softer-flexing version of its big brother the Ottomila, sharing quite a few features like the easily adjustable shell-lacing system and the tongue-support tab. A solid but not outstanding hiker, the Evolvzione performed well anytime moderate frontpointing or steep snow was encountered. It was also an above-average rock climber. The scaled-down liner is constructed mainly of open-cell foam, providing good day-route warmth, but is not toasty enough for expeditions or arctic temps. Fits medium to medium-narrow feet.
Pros: Great ankle support.
Cons: Not suitable for extreme cold.
Overall grade: B

Boreal G1, $395
5 pounds, 13 ounces for U.S. size 9
Summary: The Boreal G1 is a sturdy boot whose leather shell gives it a comfortable flex and natural feel. The front rand of the boot is close to your toes, improving rock and ice sensitivity. Unfortunately, the liner compromises the G1’s overall performance. Insulated with Thinsulate, with a Sympatex membrane for moisture protection, the liner lacked structure and bunched up uncomfortably over our toes. The liner’s limited heelcup padding also caused blisters. The G1 is also on the heavy side. Fits medium to medium-wide feet.
Pros: Sensitive on rock and ice. Natural flex.
Cons: Uncomfortable liner. Heavy.
Overall grade: C+


Koflach Arctis Expe, $355
6 pounds for U.S. size 8
Summary: With a substantially insulated liner, made of open- and closed-cell foam, the Arctis Expe was one of the warmest boots in the review. The open-cell foam is positioned next to the foot to increase durability, while the closed-cell foam sits next to the shell. A good rocker under the toes and a soft, hinged shell cuff made the Arctis Expe easy on the feet during long hikes. The forgiving ankle flex also made the boot a decent ice and rock climber, though a tad mushy during long sections of moderate frontpointing. The Arctis Expe features a short rubber rand around the shell and a ball-bearing lacing system that lets you fine-tune the boot’s fit over the instep. Fits medium to medium-narrow feet, good for high insteps.
Pros: Warm. Comfortable hiker. Good all-around climber.
Cons: Heavy.
Overall grade: A-


Koflach Degre, $255
5 pounds, 5 ounces for U.S. size 8
Summary: The Koflach Degre is a scaled-down, softer version of the Arctis Expe. The Degre’s light weight, generous ankle and sole flex, and curved rocker boosted its hiking comfort and made it a great choice for one-day outings. The boot’s soft nature also allowed for good ankle dexterity, which came in handy on steep pitches of ice or rock. However, its simple, open-cell liner couldn’t handle severe cold. The Degre also lacked the calf support needed during long stretches of low-angle frontpointing. Fits medium to medium-narrow feet, good for high insteps.
Pros: Light. Comfortable hiker. Solid technical climber. Low price.
Cons: Below-average warmth and calf support.
Overall grade: B


Lowa Civetta Extreme, $385
5 pounds, 7 ounces for U.S. size 9
Summary: The Lowa Civetta Extreme offers an outstanding combination of climbing performance and expedition-worthy warmth, with a liner insulated by Gore-Tex-lined Duratherm. With a bit of rocker, moderate sole flex, and a hinged ankle cuff on the shell, the Civetta Extreme ate up the hiking miles. But the best attribute of the boot was its climbing performance. Its low-profile forefoot and toe — and sticky-rubber rand — provided excellent rock-climbing ability, and the boot was solid on steep ice. The full cuff and heel lockdown also made it a favorite on long sections of nevé. Fits medium width feet and has a low volume.
Pros: Excellent on steep terrain. Supportive. Comfortable hiker.
Cons: Lacks full rand.
Overall grade: A-


Salomon Pro Thermic, $390
5 pounds, 14 ounces for U.S. size 8
Summary: It’s hard to beat the comfort of a leather boot. However, the problem with leather has always been making it warm without degrading fit. Salomon worked around this problem by concentrating on the Pro Thermic’s liner, constructing it with a combination of closed-cell foam, Thinsulate, and heat-reflective mylar film. This combo was so warm we felt confident using the Pro Thermic anywhere we would wear a regular plastic boot. A Salomon dealer can also custom mold them to your feet for even better fit. The Pro Thermic’s leather shell made long hikes a joy and offered just enough support for serious frontpointing. The boot’s even flex, sensitivity, and rubber rand were assets on the rock, but the high ankle cuff limited foot mobility. Fits medium to wide feet.
Pros: Comfort and feel of leather, with the warmth of plastic.
Cons: Heavy. Ankle limits mobility.
Overall grade: A-


Scarpa Alpha, $350
4 pounds, 14 ounces for U.S. size 8
Summary: The Scarpa Alpha is an innovative design that offers a delicate balance of climbing performance and warmth previously unseen in the world of plastic-shelled boots. The Alpha’s low-profile silhouette and light weight provide excellent sensitivity on steep ice and rock, with a rubber rand surrounding the front two-thirds of the boot and further enhancing the boot’s climbing prowess. The Alpha hikes well and feels much like a sturdy leather single boot when marching down the trail, due to the flex in the sole and ankle cuff. The liner is open-cell foam, and because it has been scaled down to fit in the Alpha’s sleek shell, it’s not warm enough for expedition use. Fits medium to narrow feet and has a low volume.
Pros: Great on steep terrain. Light.
Cons: Not suitable for extreme cold.
Overall grade: B+


Scarpa Inverno, $300
6 pounds for U.S. size 8
Summary: The Scarpa Inverno proved worthy of respect despite its plain look and low price. Lots of sole rocker and a hinged ankle cuff made it a stable hiker, though you should loosen the laces before use to prevent the shell’s stiff tongue pounding away on your shins. The Inverno provided good ankle support when climbing long couloirs and low-angle ice. The liner, constructed of open-cell foam with a Cordura nylon outer, kept our feet warm when temps plummeted, and provided outstanding durability. The boxy design and lack of a rubber rand made the Inverno a clunky rock climber and, at six pounds, one of the heaviest boots tested. Fits wide, high volume feet.
Pros: Outstanding ankle and calf support on steep snow and moderate ice. Low price.
Cons: Heavy. Clunky rock climber.
Overall grade: B


Vasque Ice 9000, $495
4 pounds, 14 ounces for U.S. size 8
Summary: With the introduction of the Ice 9000, Vasque takes double boots a giant step forward. The Ice 9000’s shell is made with a patented material composed of thermoplastic urethane, Kevlar mesh, Mylar film, and Aveo foam. The result is a construction that is light, flexes like leather, and is even warmer than plastic. The Ice 9000 had one of the most even, comfortable flexes of any boot tested, making it a great hiker and steep-route climber, with just enough support for lengthy sessions of frontpointing. The sole is made with a rubber compound developed by 5.10 (yes, the rock shoe company) and molded by Skywalk, and was noticeably stickier than any other we tested yet still durable. The outrageously warm liner is closed-cell foam that can be custom molded in an oven for increased comfort. Mylar and Areo foam in the bed of the shell also add to the boot’s warmth and comfort. Fits medium feet.
Pros: Extremely warm. Excellent on steep terrain. Very light.
Cons: Expensive.
Overall grade: A

Previous Page 1 2