Mountaineering Boots

Traditional all-leather full-shank boots are still most climbers’ go-to pair for everything from summer mountaineering to ice climbing, but the market is growing with a bewildering array of specialized footwear, as well as modernized, lighter versions of the classic boot style. As with other footwear, fit should be the most important consideration on your list as every brand uses their own lasts resulting in vastly different fit profiles. Modern manufacturers use a variety of fabrics, mid-sole materials and even sole compounds to create footwear tailored to very specific mountain pursuits, from ultralight and nimble boots for mixed and ice climbing to sturdy, comfortable all-day boots for long scree and snow slogs.