Facts
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Subcategory
Hiking Sandals
Made of lightweight materials. They don't have much top-of-the-foot coverage so they're mostly suitable for well-maintained trails and summer hikes. Also useful for crossing rivers and streams. They come in open and closed-toe designs. See the best hiking sandals.
Hiking Shoes
The low-cut equivalent of hiking boots. Comfort is paramount in the creation of these shoes so they often have flexible materials. Generally used for day hikes. See hiking shoes.
Hiking Boots
Mid to high-cut models designed for more aggressive hikes and backpacking. See hiking boots.
Mountaineering Boots
Specialized footwear. Often insulated and used in technical routes, ice climbing or expeditions. See mountaineering boots.
Good to know
For hikes that won't last for more than a day, go with hiking sandals or hiking shoes. Tackling trails with greater challenges will require hiking boots or mountaineering boots.
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Cut
Low
Shoes with a cuff that goes below the ankle. See low-cut hiking shoes.
Mid
Boots with an ankle-height cuff. They provide extra ankle support. See mid-cut hiking boots and mid-cut mountaineering boots.
High
Boots with a cuff that goes above the ankle. In the case of insulated ones, they may reach the calf. Also grants extra ankle support. See high-cut hiking boots and high-cut mountaineering boots.
Good to know
Generally, for trails that are easy to tackle, go with low-cut shoes. Go mid to high if there are more trail obstacles.
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Price$510
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Feature
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WeightMen: 35.7oz
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WidthMen: Normal
Summary
We spent 7.5 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what hikers think:
4 reasons to buy
- A couple of users testified to the comfort of the Nepal EVO GTX.
- It was a warm boot, according to a few wearers.
- An expert reviewer lauded its durability.
- The rigid sole of this boot was very supportive, especially on climbs, as testified by a handful of mountaineers.
3 reasons not to buy
- The stock insole lacked support, as mentioned by a disappointed gear reviewer.
- A considerable number of testers said that their ankle mobility was limited by the heavy leather upper.
- A couple of experts stated that its rigid sole made it less sensitive to the ground.
Bottom line
The La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX has proven itself through its durability, delivery of comfort and heat-retaining abilities. It, however, fell short on satisfying outdoorsmen with its default insole and mobility-limiting upper. To conclude, for those seeking a flexible boot, the La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX might not be the best choice.
Rankings
Expert Reviews
Experts are hikers, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
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92 / 100 based on 3 expert reviews
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This is truly one of the best leather mountaineering boots on the market for a wide variety of alpine objectives.
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When the mountains are a technical obstacle course of snow, ice and frigid temperatures, the La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX Mountaineering boot will be your foot’s best friend.
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I wouldn’t—and haven’t—thought twice about using the Nepals for long or committing days.
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Updates to La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX
- The La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX is part of the Nepal series. It is the Italian brand’s iconic line of mountaineering footwear which has been serving the needs of expeditionists for 25 years. According to La Sportiva, this range of products are built with quality, durability and reliability in “Val di Fiemme” (a valley in northern Italy located in a mountain region called the Dolomites) style.
- Ideally crafted for winter mountaineering and mixed climbing, the La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX is a fusion of traditional construction with modern components. It has a leather upper combined with fabric and a Gore-Tex laminate. It is integrated with an elastic gaiter to prevent the entry of snow and scree.
- The brand designers equipped the boot with a tapered TPU midsole for durable cushioning. A heat-retaining insole and La Sportiva's SBR Aircushion are added to increase walking comfort.
- It has a rubber outsole with Impact Brake System which helps lessen the negative impacts from the ground. Its construction allows it to be resoled (sole can be replaced as necessary) for a cost.
La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX size and fit
The La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX is a fairly true-to-size, unisex mountaineering boot. It is offered in standard width and regular sizes. Using the Nepal last, it grants a precise fit suitable for most foot types. For women who are interested in purchasing this boot, going a size down is recommended to get the right fit.
Fit customization is made possible by the EZ roller hardware and removable tongue. The former uses a locking D-ring near the ankle to create differential tension on the forefoot and the shaft.
Outsole
The La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX uses a Vibram rubber outsole equipped with Impact Brake System. It has aggressive, self-cleaning lugs which bite into most terrain types. The toe and heel areas are designed with a larger surface contact for a secure foothold on ascents and descents.
Midsole
Resting underfoot is an insulating ibi-thermo 9 mm insole and SBR Aircushion. These materials cushion and help keep the warmth inside for a more comfortable ride. It works with an 8 - 9 mm crampon-ready TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) midsole. Also, there are PU inserts located in two sections: below heel and the ball of the foot. They are responsible for shock absorption.
Upper
This high-cut mountaineering boot from La Sportiva features a 3.2 mm silicone impregnated Idro-Perwanger leather. It is joined with an abrasion-resistant fabric which makes the upper flexible and durable. A Gore-Tex Insulated Comfort laminate retains heat on colder temperatures while keeping a breathable and waterproof environment.
The 3D Flex System features a multidirectional hinge which allows the ankle to move freely. It also yields a more enhanced foot control when traversing challenging terrains. The boot’s removable tongue, on the other hand, helps maintain a dry in-shoe feel by drawing moisture out of the boot.
The lacing system of this boot uses a combination of metal D-rings, open and closed hooks and webbing eyelets. It also comes with La Sportiva’s EZ Out pull loop to help unfasten the lace lock. The rubber rand at the base reinforces the upper and renders protection against knocks.
Additional Info
- This boot is compatible with step-in crampons.
- The Nepal EVO GTX was the 2013 winner of the Outdoor Gear Lab’s Best Buy Award.
- It bagged the Climbing Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award.
- The women-specific model of this silhouette was discontinued.
