la sportiva nucleo high gtx backpacking shoes

#LA SPORTIVA NUCLEO HIGH GTX BACKPACKING SHOES PLUS#

Some reviewers found the toebox to be an ideal level of narrow for kicking steps into snow, but not so narrow as to be annoying. However, while the Scarpa have a narrow and more technical fit than other boots, we found almost no complaints about them being too narrow. Many climbing shoe companies get a reputation for making their boots too narrow. If you normally wear women’s shoes and have a foot larger than size 10, you’ll need to look at the men’s version for larger sizing. While sizing on the Zodiac goes all the way from men’s 5 to 14, the women’s sizing is more limited-topping out at 10.

It also has the chops to venture off trail onto demanding technical terrain no matter the weather conditions,' says Outdoor Gear Lab of the Zodiac (see Sources), which it names as a top pick. 'Less than an actual mountain boot, this mid-weight hiking boot will handle trail miles with ease, whether on day hikes or extended distance backpacking trips.

Others found the Scarpa much more comfortable than a traditional mountain boot. While Scarpa makes comfortable shoes and boots, some reviewers found the stiffness can result in some foot soreness after a long day of trekking. This makes it more versatile for all-mountain use while still having a technical and precise feel.

#LA SPORTIVA NUCLEO HIGH GTX BACKPACKING SHOES PLUS#

The Scarpa Zodiac Plus is a more flexible take on their Zodiac Tech, which is more of a mountaineering boot. Related: The Best Winter Traction Devices (Microspikes + Crampons)Īs a boot that verges on being a mountaineering boot, the Zodiac is stiffer than others we considered. If you know you want a traditional hiking boot with all the support, stability, and cushioning that comes with it, we found the Salomon Quest 4 to be the expert and everyday user favorite boot in the category. If you like the fit of Salomon shoes, but want a lighter boot closer to a trail runner, consider the low top Salomon X Ultra 4 GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes ( men's and women's), the top pick in our Best Hiking Shoes story, or the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX ( men’s and women’s) in our Best Lightweight Hiking Bootsstory. It's worth noting that the Salomon Quest 4 is a middle-weight boot and might be too much boot for some users. These reviews get an A-rating from Fakespot, a website that analyzes customer reviews to flag fake comments. The Quest 4 is a favorite with Amazon's customers, garnering nearly 200 reviews, 79% of which are 5-star reviews. Outdoor media has similar things to say about the Quest: 'Salomon footwear has a well-earned reputation for offering excellent water-resistance while remaining breathable, and this model lives up to the expectations set by its trail runner cousins,' observes Outdoor Gear Lab (see Sources), which also named it their top pick.Ĭustomer reviewers from REI, Amazon, and Backcountry also raved about this backpacking boot. The two adjustment zone lacing system makes the Salomons among the most comfortable boots right out of the box. Our testers liked the Salomon Quest's model's lacing system, which essentially gives it two independent adjustment zones: one for the foot, the other for the ankle. (To be fair, most hiking-specific boots aren't designed for this.) The EVA midsole provides excellent shock absorption. This made it great for getting over obstacles, but not ideal for climbing on difficult, slabby rock. The sole is grippy, if not a little squishier than expected.

The boot is easily adjustable right out of the box. In our testing, we found, like other Salomon trail shoes, that the Quest 4 fit is excellent.

La sportiva nucleo high gtx backpacking shoes