La Sportiva Trango Trek Woman GTX
+ lightweight upper; climbing zone on sole; good grip; neat fit great on technical ground
– you may want a more robust upper with greater ankle support
Well-suited to mountaineering and technical ground, the Trango Trek weighs 1108g per pair with the abrasion-resistant synthetic upper providing lightweight but effective ankle support atop a grippy Vibram sole. A smooth climbing zone at the toe is great for nosing out footholds on rock, and the rubber rand protects against battering. Minimal stitching and a Gore-Tex lining keep your feet dry. 4/5
In sizes 36-43 for women (including half sizes) and 39-48 for men, fit is on the neat side with lacing down to the toe, so you can adjust more precisely all along the boot. Even with quite a narrow fit elsewhere, there’s roominess in the toe box, and this combination makes walking much more comfortable while offering a reassuring level of precision on rock. 5/5
The first outing for these was a long wintry day in the Lake District. I developed some hot spots on the heel after a lot of up- and downhill but they didn‘t progress to blisters and the comfort otherwise was superb. After the first day, the hot spots vanished. A soft upper and the ability to precisely tweak the lacing makes it easy to personalise the fit, which really increases the comfort. And they’re very light. 5/5
The main characteristics were the light yet supportive upper, grippy sole and excellent ground feel – valuable if you’re doing anything complicated on rock. They’re very far from ‘clumpy’ and ideal for tackling big hills via technical routes. They’re comfy and nimble from the off, with a very slightly asymmetrical toe – which is useful for scrambling. 5/5
An excellent fit with probably greater longevity than most synthetic boots, due to the minimised stitching. Reasonable price. 4/5
Lightweight yet supportive with simple, effective features and excellent grip. And they're not too 4.6/5 pricy either.