When you are climbing a mountain and summiting to the highest peaks, there may not be another piece of equipment more important than what you are wearing on your feet. Many roles are filled with a great set of mountaineering boots. These boots must grip confidently over snow and slick rocks, keep your feet warm when the weather makes a turn for the worse, be able to have crampons and skis attach to them and offer support while carrying and lifting heavy loads.
We understand that there are plenty of choices out there for you to choose from and the choices can become overwhelming. In fact, there have never been so many options in mountaineering boots. This is why we wanted to get into some of the best mountaineering boots for the year and talk about what makes them so great. Some of these boots are nimble and lightweight which make them great for ankle intensive French technique or technical mixed climbing, while some of the other boots we are going to talk about provide more support for your calves which is important when front-pointing is needed in tougher terrains.
In any case, these boots made our list for best mountaineering boots of the year and we hope it helps your decision a little bit easier.
Salomon Men’s X Alp Pro GTX Waterproof Hiking Boot
The hiking boot by Salomon is a great hybrid boot for approaches and even work their way up to moderate climbing. What makes this a fantastic approach boot is the amount of comfort and stiffness rolled up into this mountaineering boot. One of the key features to pay attention to is the integrated gaiter which works well when hiking and climbing through deep snow. The waterproofing is excellent because of this. This boots perform wonderfully for moderate climbing and approaches and that is why they made our list of best mountaineering boots of the season in the lightweight section.
Features
– Made of Leather
– Breathable and waterproof Gore-Tex Performance comfort
– Full-grain Cordura and leather upper, 3D Edging chassis
– Ortholite sockliner and EVA footbed and midsole
– Stretch gaiter and gusseted tongue
– No marking on the Mountaineering Contagrip sole
– Rubber toe and heel caps, Self-locking eyelets and TPU mudguard
Asolo Fugitive Gore-Tex Boot
For around $250, you can get The Fugitive Gore-Tex Boot by Asolo. These offer versatility and comfort and only weight around 3lbs. Even being this lightweight, the Asolo Fugitive is extremely durable. You get superb traction and support with the Syncro outsole, and reduced heel lift with the secure lacing system that is offered. The Gore-Tex lining in this boot is going to keep your feet dry when the conditions call for wet weather and you can even wear these around the park with their low profile features. These boots are great for lighter mountaineering and approaches but will do the job in a great way. For the price, you aren’t going to find many other mountaineering boots that provide this much value.
Features
– Upper Material: suede, Cordura
– Waterproofing: Gore-Tex membrane
– Closure is lace
– Sole is Asolo Syncro
La Sportiva Men’s Makalu Mountaineering Boot
La Sportiva has come out with another great mountaineering boot in the Makalu. For just around $300 you are getting a great trail and backpacking boot. The full steel shank isn’t flexible and would be really annoying for hiking if it was. The lack of flex is much appreciated when you are climbing and scrambling around. This is one of the toughest mountaineering boots you can get at this cost. Crampons are easy to attach because of the full steel shank and the Idro-Perwanger leather upper is waterproof and extremely durable. At the same time, the La Sportiva Makalu is breathable. For tensioning the boot laces, the Makalu offers steel roller ball eyelets and locking D-rings. We suggest giving these boots a try if you are looking for a good all-around mountaineering boot.
Features
– Made of Leather
– Has synthetic sole
– Full steel shank that can be used with or without crampons
– D-ring lacing and EZ Rollerball
– Protective Vibram rand
– Skywalk aggressively lugged outsole
SCARPA Fuego Mountaineering Boot
First impressions on the SCARPA Fuego Mountaineering Boot is quality, stiff and gnarly. These boots are great for not only mountaineering but also trail-running, hiking, climbing and for wildland firefighters. They are tough, simple and stiff. The will take a while to break in but once they do break in, you will not be looking for another boot for years to come. However, the stiffness is great for reducing pain and fatigue when you are standing in rough terrain.
SCARPA has been making quality boots since 1938 when they were founded in northern Italy. SCARPA is Italian for “shoe”, which should tell you how seriously they take it. For these reasons and the ones above, this boot has made our list.
Features
– Made of Leather
– Has Vibram sole
– This mountaineering boot is classically styled. The upper is Crosta Pro HS12
– The lining is Taibrelle
– The insole is Pro-Flex XT, the midsole is EVA and the outsole is Vibram M4 Tech
– Excellent fit because of the Double tongue
– Complete protection in gusseted tongue
– Sturdy rough out uppers
– Great construction with tall cuff for wildland firefighters and foresters
Salewa Men’s Pro Guide Performance Fit Hiking Boot
Salewa is offering some of the best climbing and mountaineering boots money can buy with the Men’s Pro Guide Performance Fit hiking boot. They are snug and the break in process will take a while but it is worth it when they finally do form to your foot. In addition, once the boot is broken in, you can use the sole adjustments for an even better fit. Salewa offers some of the best gear in the world and you won’t find much better quality for the cost.
Features
– Boots are imported
– Have Vibram sole
– Shaft is around 8.5″ from arch
– Heel measures around 1.25″
– Boot opening is about 11″ around
– The multiple lasts offer differentiated fit for no blisters or rubbing
– Steel wire offers you flexibility, ankle support and precision
– Offers the Salewa flex system
– Outsole is Vibram Salewa PRO
– GORE-TEX insulated comfort
– Has Duratherm XL lining