Cold in 0F little activity conditions

By gkl4233569 Ranked #105 - Rock Climbing Shoes January 15, 2012

Size up if you don't want very cold toes ... especially if you happen to have long ones.
I wear a US 8.5 or EU(DE) 39.5 usually. With my high arches (this boot is clearly not build for high arches, but you can leave this portion laced looser, and you can fix the laces above the arch and have the upper portion tighter), this translated to a 40.5 in these boots, which felt like the right length. However, when wearing middle thick merino socks over thin ski socks (the technical type, less thick than tennis socks) there was very little room in the toe box and the toes got very cold. With my narrow heel it is usually not a good idea to size up so I did not and spent a "refreshing" day ice climbing in 0F conditions, even with little wind. Can't imagine these doing well in extreme conditions unless you size up considerably with lots of extra insulation i.e. thick socks or maybe add an insole to reflect body heat. The cold seemed to be seeping in from the whole of the bottom/sole mainly, felt like standing on cold tiles. Don't think my high arches will be compatible with adding insoles but if you have flatter feet that may well work. Loved the narrow heel part. A less good fit for my feet but softer more padded and WAY warmer option was the Mad Rock "Alpinist" boot (men's size 8), no women's version as far as I know.

View Details: La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX Mountaineering Boot - Women's

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes