"Light Mountaineering" Boots?

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Istoodupthere
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by Istoodupthere »

I bought a pair of La Sportiva Trango TRK GTX’s for basically the same reason you are this past spring and I love them
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rmcpherson
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by rmcpherson »

swilson753 wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 1:17 pm If I was to do Rainier again, I'd make my final boot decision a day or two before the trip based on weather and conditions reports. There's pros and cons to both boots. If the weather hadn't been as warm as it was, I'd lean more towards the Nepals. Bad weather can form extremely quickly in the PNW and I wouldn't want to be stuck high on Rainier in sketchy conditions in Aequilibriums. I also run very cold when stationary but quickly roast once moving.

Are you planning Disappointment Cleaver or Emmons? If DC, the rock section on the Cleaver makes me wonder if the Trango Techs/Equilibriums would be better for the scrambly section. I haven't done that route, but it's another piece to consider.
Disappointment Cleaver is the planned route. I definitely appreciate that the weather can be variable up there in June so, assuming I buy the Trango Tech GTX, the plan is to buy a more traditional mountaineering boot like the Nepal Cube GTX if the forecast calls for it.
climbingcue wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 2:50 pm I used my Trango Tech GTX on my Rainier climb in June of 2024. I thought they were awesome, would total use them again if I was to repeat Rainier.
That's a solid endorsement, thanks.
Istoodupthere wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 5:28 pm I bought a pair of La Sportiva Trango TRK GTX’s for basically the same reason you are this past spring and I love them
Music to my confirmation-biased ears.
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madmattd
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by madmattd »

Having looked at all of these early this year, the Trango Techs and the Aequilibrium LT/ST (only difference is leather vs synthetic) are indeed roughly the same boot, and justiner noting firesale prices on the Trangos leads me to believe the Aequilibrium line is meant to replace them (if the Trangos were on such a sale this spring I likely would have gotten them instead!). They're interchangeable in use from what I could tell.

The Aequilibrium Top and Speed are very different boots than the above (the Speed is effectively a stiff-soled trail runner with built-in gaiter).
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by justiner »

I just don't wanna spread rumors because (1 Trangos are just one of those boots that have been around forever (at least 20 years) and LS is not really aggressive on EOL'ing products. (2 MANY many shoes in Sportiva's lineup are on major sale to get them off of inventory because of new laws introduced in CA (Bill 2771) and (3 even shoes I am sure are EOL'd get re-released, and never really went away. It's just that sometimes the US market doesn't get everything the Euros get.
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by justiner »

Looks like a new Trango is out! There's I think only one model -- the top of the line -- called the, Trango PRO GTX. So the boot wasn't EOL'd, just re-imagined.

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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by ekalina »

Interesting. What does "a symbol of historic expertise meeting a contemporary vision of verticality" mean though?
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by Monster5 »

Looks like continued shrinkflation in boot form.
They shaved stitched leather, rubber armour, and sperm killing PFAS plasticy bits from the uppers, rands, and soles. Removing material and waste saved them money. They market it as weight saving and increased responsiveness on the rock.
Eco impacts are offset by having to buy new boots more often as these fall apart.
We'll buy anyways since they do look pretty sweet.
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by justiner »

ekalina wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 9:14 pm Interesting. What does "a symbol of historic expertise meeting a contemporary vision of verticality" mean though?
hand gestures in Italian
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by Bale »

Thanks Justin. I saw these the other day and thought of you folks on 14ers.com:). They look pretty sweet, gaiter looks interesting.
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by mtree »

I had to replace my well-worn 7 year-old boots this summer. As I always suggest, don't just go on recommendations. TRY THEM ON YOURSELF! I tried the La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX. I didn't like the fit. Otherwise they seemed ok but expensive. I tested 4 others. I eventually liked the Salomon Quest 4, but the price was also too high. This was the same model as my last ones. I walked out empty handed figuring I'll check some online sales first.

Looked online that Monday and saw REI was selling the Salomon's for half price! But only the red ones. And they had my size. So I jumped on it. Didn't care about the stupid color. Between the online sale and a $50 gift card I got them for a mere $70!!! A steal. And free shipping.

I used them this summer and fall and they're peeeerfect! Also, they're not red. They're med brown with red thread in the laces and maybe the holding loop on back. Awesome boot.
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Re: "Light Mountaineering" Boots?

Post by madmattd »

Monster5 wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 10:59 pm Looks like continued shrinkflation in boot form.
They shaved stitched leather, rubber armour, and sperm killing PFAS plasticy bits from the uppers, rands, and soles. Removing material and waste saved them money. They market it as weight saving and increased responsiveness on the rock.
Don't forget they ~doubled the price too ;)