Durable boots/runners with good traction?
Forum rules
- This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
- Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
- Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
- Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
- nyker
- Posts: 3235
- Joined: 12/5/2007
- 14ers: 58
- 13ers: 25
- Trip Reports (69)
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
To the above point, Asolo Fugitive boots felt great, though the soles would come apart pretty quickly while the uppers remained like new. Shame since the boots were comfortable and wearable out of the box. Few shoemakers wanted to try and fix them calling them disposable boots and self fixes with store bought sole glues didn't work well. They are also pricy now, ~$300, but maybe they've fixed the sole issue from older models.
- Jon Frohlich
- Posts: 2611
- Joined: 10/14/2005
- 14ers: 58
- 13ers: 162 3
- Trip Reports (29)
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
Specifically regarding Asolo boots they more or less have two 'tiers' of soles. Ones labeled GTX are made with some pretty awful (in my opinion) soles. Ones labeled GV are made with Vibram soles and are higher quality boots. I won't buy any Asolo boot that isn't GV.nyker wrote: ↑Fri Jul 22, 2022 12:58 pm To the above point, Asolo Fugitive boots felt great, though the soles would come apart pretty quickly while the uppers remained like new. Shame since the boots were comfortable and wearable out of the box. Few shoemakers wanted to try and fix them calling them disposable boots and self fixes with store bought sole glues didn't work well. They are also pricy now, ~$300, but maybe they've fixed the sole issue from older models.
- nyker
- Posts: 3235
- Joined: 12/5/2007
- 14ers: 58
- 13ers: 25
- Trip Reports (69)
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
Okay that's good to know. The versions I was referring to were the fugitive GTX. Not the burlier models
-
- Posts: 781
- Joined: 6/9/2010
- 14ers: 56
- 13ers: 218
- Trip Reports (3)
- Contact:
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
I agree with others that Salomon trail runners are no longer durable enough to recommend. Both their uppers and soles wear out quickly. Sportiva’s shoes are all over the map, with some models much better than others. I found the Mutants and Ultra Raptors quite durable, while Kaptivas are great scrambling shoes but wear quickly.
The main thing is to never pay more than $100 for trail runners, but don’t get the down-market models. Shoe “technology” is not advancing, so last year’s high-end model is at least as good as this year’s.
The main thing is to never pay more than $100 for trail runners, but don’t get the down-market models. Shoe “technology” is not advancing, so last year’s high-end model is at least as good as this year’s.
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
I found the spire GTX to have a slightly larger toe box than the TX4’s. I absolutely love LS and will continue to pay the premium. Good luck finding a boot that fits
Seano, which LS runners do you recommend in the $110< range
People are wearing HOKAs nowadays, but I can’t comment on them.
Seano, which LS runners do you recommend in the $110< range
People are wearing HOKAs nowadays, but I can’t comment on them.
- JaredJohnson
- Posts: 419
- Joined: 8/27/2014
- 14ers: 28 5
- 13ers: 13
- Trip Reports (3)
- Contact:
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
I tried on a number of different sizes of every(?) shoe in the TX series - TX2, TX3, TX4, TX Guide, and then briefly tested like three different variations on the rock wall. I can testify that every one had a different sort of fit. I was hoping to go on the lighter end but the TX4 ended up fitting me the best by far. They've done incredibly well and climb incredibly well. There are other great shoes but taking some time to find a good fit in the TX line could be very rewarding.
-
- Posts: 781
- Joined: 6/9/2010
- 14ers: 56
- 13ers: 218
- Trip Reports (3)
- Contact:
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
I’d recommend being patient and waiting to find Mutants or Kaptivas on sale - that’s what I do.
And Hokas are fine for running in straight lines on gravel roads. Garbage for anything else.
-
- Posts: 13
- Joined: 1/1/2017
- 14ers: 5
- 13ers: 8
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
Thanks for the feedback, everybody. I really appreciate it.
Ultra Raptor boot and Bushidos: too narrow. REI didn’t have the Karacals.
Scarpa Zodiac: surprisingly tight, I really wanted to like this one.
Asolo drifter: good fit - but need to do some more research on durability… I think this is the GV sole
Zamberlan Vioz: wow… best fit so far, but haven’t seen many reviews
Was going to try a Lowa at REI today and then decide.
Ultra Raptor boot and Bushidos: too narrow. REI didn’t have the Karacals.
Scarpa Zodiac: surprisingly tight, I really wanted to like this one.
Asolo drifter: good fit - but need to do some more research on durability… I think this is the GV sole
Zamberlan Vioz: wow… best fit so far, but haven’t seen many reviews
Was going to try a Lowa at REI today and then decide.
- justiner
- Posts: 4415
- Joined: 8/28/2010
- 14ers: 58 8
- 13ers: 138
- Trip Reports (40)
- Contact:
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
The LS Ultra Raptor II Mid does come in wide sizes.
My LS pick is the Akasha II - just a nice all rounder with a wide for LS toebox. Upper does promote breathability over durability though. I Seam Grip the uppers in problem areas before taking them out.
(also LS shill)
My LS pick is the Akasha II - just a nice all rounder with a wide for LS toebox. Upper does promote breathability over durability though. I Seam Grip the uppers in problem areas before taking them out.
(also LS shill)
- Altitude High
- Posts: 165
- Joined: 1/27/2018
- 14ers: 26
- 13ers: 5
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
I have wide feet. My street shoe size is EE or EEE. I also have moderate bunions on both feet, right behind the big toe (from wearing shoes that were too narrow when I was younger). So I need some extra height too.
I'm looking at the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX. Some reviews say it has a "wider" toe box, but that may not be from the perspective of someone with truly wide feet.
Has anyone with wide feet used the Scarpa Zodiac? If so, how many sizes up did you have to go to have enough room in the front?
-
- Posts: 13
- Joined: 1/1/2017
- 14ers: 5
- 13ers: 8
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
I tried on a pair of Zodiacs at REI. They felt a lot narrower than I anticipated, similar to a TX4 approach shoe. I was really surprised at how they felt, especially since reviews describe them as being "wider".Altitude High wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 6:45 am
Has anyone with wide feet used the Scarpa Zodiac? If so, how many sizes up did you have to go to have enough room in the front?
- Altitude High
- Posts: 165
- Joined: 1/27/2018
- 14ers: 26
- 13ers: 5
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Durable boots/runners with good traction?
That's all too common for people with wide feet. The best products are usually not available. All about costs, I guess.
Also, I sent an email to Scarpa today, and they replied:
"Hi Steve,
Thank you for reaching out. We are glad to hear that you are interested in our Zodiac Plus GTX boots, however they unfortunately do not come in Wides. The boots will be a D width.
We do have two types of boots available in Wides: the Kailash Plus and Kailash Trek. That being said, they will only come in at an E width, and not an EE or EEE.
We apologize that we cannot help out more, but we wish you the best of luck with finding your perfect boots!
Best ..."
I think I'll start a separate thread about boots for people with wide feet.