montana splitboarder

By Erick Goudie Ranked #74 - Rock Climbing Shoes March 27, 2009

I have been looking for a mountaineering boot that I could use for split-boarding for along time and I finally found I one that fits well in my conventional strap bindings. I do have bigger fee(US12, Euro 46) so the boot being a tad bulky did contribute to some toe drag but nothing that rider who is used to boards that don't fit their feet can't handle. I got this boot one day before I was to set off on a 7 day ski trip into the Beartooth wilderness in Montana. In ski mode the boot was very comfortable and climbed well. I will say there was a nominal break-in/adjustment time that was resolved after 3 miles of skinning. When we got to grasshopper glacier the wind was blowing a sustained 40 mph, so spindrift was an issue. The storm grew worse over the continuing days and my outer gear was wet and frozen but my feet were warm...amazing. We broke camp early because the storm was worsening...I was 5 feet under the snow and my cave would rumble and growl from the gusts outside. We braved the pass in 80+ winds in white out conditions and while my body was a little chilled as we navigated by compass my feet stayed warm. I have since taken the boots into Hylite canyon and I found that they climb ice very well. I would recommend these boots to all split-boarders that are looking to do mountaineering. My only concern is that they may be to warm this spring/summer but I am sure I can figure out way to vent them properly. Bottom line they flex at the ankle like a snowboard boot. The boot is comfortable to hike and skin in and is very stiff laterally.

View Details: La Sportiva Nuptse Mountaineering Boot - Men's

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