Our verdict

If you are looking for a stout and stable hiking shoe for multi-day backpacking adventures, the La Sportiva Spire GTX is the first option that comes to mind. We were amazed at how much support it offers without being too heavy. It indeed feels like a hiking boot with a cut-off collar! Unfortunately, it also costs like one. And it's built like a tank. Forging our way through the trail obstacles, our feet couldn't feel a thing - the Spire buffered every stick and stone! As a bonus, its unique ventilation channels also help to keep the interiors slightly less suffocating.

Pros

  • Feels like a backpacking boot with low collar
  • Unparalleled stability and support
  • Superb waterproofness with some breathabilty
  • Mutes out rocks and debris like no other
  • Excellent grip and braking
  • Sturdy and durable construction
  • Greater range of sizes allows to fine tune the fit

Cons

  • Can feel tippy on rocky and hilly terrain
  • Frail inner lining
  • Gets even firmer in cold

Audience verdict

85
Good!

Who should buy

We believe that it's worth investing in the La Sportiva Spire GTX if:

  • you need a shoe for backpacking trips with a heavier pack but don't want a high-top boot
  • you prefer sturdier shoes with exceptional stability and support
  • you need a waterproof shoe but could use some in-shoe aeration as well
  • you could use a more pronounced heel brake for steep descents

La Sportiva Spire GTX review

Who should NOT buy

The Spire GTX's high price point can be a deal breaker for many people. But luckily, there are a few solid alternatives with similar features but more moderate price tags.

 

The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX is equally stable but is also notably lighter, more nimble, and flexible. Another excellent option is the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX.

La Sportiva Spire GTX lab test

Breathability

Testing the La Sportiva Spire GTX, we were particularly curious about its unique ePE Gore-Tex Surround waterproofing. Unlike the conventional GTX, this technology encourages ventilation not only in the upper but also in the sole! A 360-degree ventilation of sorts.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Surround ventilation channels
We were truly amazed by these air channels. They are found all around the midsole on both sides of this La Sportiva shoe.

Of course, we are not talking about full-fledged breathability here because it is a waterproof shoe after all. As you can see from our breathability test below, none of the smoke we pumped into the shoe was able to escape through the fabric.

And yet, the GTX Surround helped our feet feel a little less suffocated in the Spire GTX because it managed to expel some of the built-up heat from the shoe.

On top of the shoe, the synthetic Nano Cells 2.0 material is responsible for maintaining a balance between waterproofing and breathability.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Nano Cells 2.0

Synthetic overlays dominate the upper protecting it from water and debris while the mesh inserts provide some essential aeration.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Breathability under microscope

Even though the Spire GTX has slightly more airflow than shoes with standard Gore-Tex, we didn't find the difference sufficient enough to increase the overall breathability score to 2. It is still a warm and watertight shoe with the lowest breathability score - 1 out of 5.

Test results
Spire GTX 1
Average 2.7
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

The La Sportiva Spire GTX is one of the sturdiest hiking shoes we've tested. But even though its high-wear areas are very thoughtfully reinforced, there are a few weak parts to be aware of.

For example, the Nano Cell areas that are not covered with thick protective overlays (like the top of the toebox). Exposing it to sandpaper for 12 seconds, our Dremel left some notable scuffing which affected the shoe's waterproofing features.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Toebox durability comparison

But because it was not a gaping hole, we kept the toebox durability score at a moderate 3 out of 5.

The mudguard, on the other hand, has fantastic abrasion resistance. You can be confident that bumping into roots and rocks is nothing more than a light tickle for this burly piece.

Test results
Spire GTX 3
Average 3.7
Compared to 18 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

To our disappointment, the mesh lining on the inner side of the shoe's collar failed to resist the Dremel as well.

Considering all the in-shoe friction this area experiences, we expected a more hard-wearing material, especially after seeing how well the same part did in other hiking shoes.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Heel padding durability comparison

Thus, we rated the Spire's heel padding durability with a low score of 2 out of 5. 

Test results
Spire GTX 2
Average 3
Compared to 17 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

On the bright side, the outsole of this La Sportiva shoe proved to be indestructible. Our durability tests below prove that its Vibram rubber is pretty hard and abrasion-resistant.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Outsole hardness

Pressing our Shore C durometer against the outsole returned an above-average reading of 86.1 HC. As a firm rubber compound, it is capable of taking more abuse before it starts to show significant signs of wear as opposed to softer rubber.

Test results
Spire GTX 86.1 HC
Average 84.8 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
65.0 HC
Outsole hardness
94.1 HC

Outsole durability

You can see how stoically the Spire's outsole resisted the sandpaper tip of our Dremel in the test below.

Even after 22 seconds of drilling it at 10K RPM speed, the rubber sustained as little as 0.8 mm of damage. Tread loss is not even the right word here, more like brushing the dust off the surface.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Outsole durability test
Test results
Spire GTX 0.8 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 17 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The outsole thickness is also pretty solid showing 2.0 mm on our caliper. Paired with 4.3 mm deep lugs, it promises a long lifespan for a hiking shoe.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Outsole thickness
Test results
Spire GTX 2.0 mm
Average 2.5 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1.6 mm
Outsole thickness
4.0 mm

Weight

Considering the shoe's beefy design, we are surprised that it's not among the heaviest hiking shoes on our roster.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Weight

Showing 14.8 oz (420g) in a men's US size 9, the La Sportiva Spire GTX is only 1.5 ounces heavier than average. The shoe never weighed our feet down as much as we thought it would.

Test results
Spire GTX 14.82 oz (420g)
Average 13.26 oz (376g)
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
6.49 oz (184g)
Weight
17.14 oz (486g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a height champion in our lab! The Spire GTX towers over all the other hiking shoes at a whopping 39.1 mm!

La Sportiva Spire GTX Heel stack

Having this much platform translates to unparalleled foot protection from the trail obstacles and amazing support for the longest backpacking hauls. We felt 100% isolated from the trail as this La Sportiva shoe gobbled roots and rocks like chicken nuggets.

On the downside, this tall shoe will not be your best friend on rocky descents or any other shaky surfaces as it feels a bit tippy.

Test results
Spire GTX 39.1 mm
Average 32.0 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
9.9 mm
Heel stack
39.1 mm

Forefoot stack

The shoe's platform gets notably thinner in the forefoot but it still packs plenty of foam to keep the balls of feet well cushioned.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Forefoot stack

A forefoot stack of 23.1 mm is slightly taller than average too.

Test results
Spire GTX 23.1 mm
Average 21.0 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
10.7 mm
Forefoot stack
31.0 mm

Drop

This La Sportiva shoe also beats records when it comes to its steep heel-to-toe drop of 16 mm!

La Sportiva Spire GTX Drop

Even if you never pay attention to drop in hiking shoes, you are very likely to feel your heels elevated in the Spire GTX.

Is it a bad thing? Not in a backpacking shoe. This setup puts your feet in a more ergonomic position to carry heavier loads on longer distances. It prevents your Achilles and calves from working overtime.

Test results
Spire GTX 16.0 mm
Average 11.0 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
-0.8 mm
Drop
16.0 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Despite its use of Compression Molded EVA, there is hardly any compression in the La Sportiva Spire GTX. It is a stout shoe that's meant to be stable above all else.

Measuring its midsole softness with a Shore A durometer, we got a higher-than-average reading of 32.6 HA. That is 20% firmer than a typical hiking shoe midsole.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Midsole softness

But even though plushness and Spire exist in parallel universes, we found that the shoe took very good care of our feet on long hikes. We never felt as beat up after wearing this La Sportiva shoe as we did after more grounded options.

Test results
Spire GTX 32.6 HA
Average 27.5 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
13.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
39.0 HA

Difference in midsole softness in cold

If you are planning a multi-day hike where temperatures drop very low at night, it is good to know that the Spire GTX gets even firmer in cold conditions.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Difference in midsole softness in cold

We kept the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and then repeated the durometer measurement. The reading went from 32.6 HA at room temperature to 38.0 HA after the freezer test. With a 16.5% change in firmness, this La Sportiva shoe is going to need some breaking in first thing in the morning.

Test results
Spire GTX 16.5%
Average 17.8%
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in midsole softness in cold
100%

Insole thickness

As a cherry on top, the Spire GTX uses an OrthoLite insole for a more pleasant foot-to-boot contact.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Insole thickness

Even though it is slightly thinner than average at 4.2 mm, its ergonomic contours still make it feel nice and cozy.

And a nice bonus: this Ortholite Hybrid is made with 5% recycled rubber and 15% production waste foam.

Test results
Spire GTX 4.2 mm
Average 5.5 mm
Compared to 23 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
2.6 mm
Insole thickness
8.6 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

If you are looking for boot-level stability in a low-cut shoe, the La Sportiva Spire GTX is built just like that. From the bottom up, its construction kept us steady and surefooted as we hauled a heavy pack across challenging terrain.

The most prominent stability component of the Spire is its STB control system.

La Sportiva Spire GTX STB Control

Its tall and sturdy sidewalls wrap around the foot on both sides creating a secure cradle and preventing any unfortunate buckling.

Torsional rigidity

Carrying up to 20% of your body weight on the back, the last thing you want to experience is foot wobbling. That's why unyielding shoes like the La Sportiva Spire GTX exist.

Our attempts at twisting this hiking shoe in our manual test had very little success. Thus, we rated its torsional rigidity with an above-average score of 4 out of 5.

La Sportiva Spire GTX arch support

Even if you have conditions like flat feet followed by overpronation (excessive inward foot rolling), you are going to feel very stable and supported in the Spire.

Test results
Spire GTX 4
Average 3.5
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The shoe's highly rigid heel counter also takes care of any unwanted play in the rearfoot.

Giving the back of the shoe a good push and squeeze, we felt so much resistance that we never hesitated to rate the shoe's heel counter stiffness with the maximum score - 5 out of 5!

Test results
Spire GTX 5
Average 3.6
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

Interestingly enough, the La Sportiva Spire GTX feels exceptionally stable even without a very wide sole.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Midsole width in the forefoot

Our caliper measured only 103.9 mm in the widest part of the shoe's midsole in the forefoot.

Test results
Spire GTX 103.9 mm
Average 110.5 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
103.0 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
117.6 mm

Midsole width in the heel

The heel of the shoe is also notably narrower than average showing 81.4 mm in the widest part.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Midsole width in the heel

If you are coming from a chunky platform (like those of Hoka and KEEN), we should warn you that the La Sportiva Spire GTX is going to feel different. In our wear test, we felt as if the shoe's smaller landing area forced us to be more conscious of our foot placement in the first few miles. But after a short adjustment period, we didn't experience any issues.

Test results
Spire GTX 81.4 mm
Average 86.8 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
64.2 mm
Midsole width in the heel
101.6 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

With its reinforced construction and sturdy STB control system, we were not surprised that the La Sportiva Spire GTX is one of the stiffest hiking shoes we've tested.

It took about 30% more force to bend the Spire to a 90-degree angle compared to an average hiking shoe. But as a result, you get the benefit of a more stable platform with more predictable steps.

Test results
Spire GTX 38.3N
Average 29.3N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1.8N
Stiffness
54.0N

Difference in stiffness in cold

We were glad to discover that the Spire GTX doesn't get significantly stiffer in low temperatures. After 20 minutes of cold exposure, the shoe needed only 5.5% more force to bend.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Difference in stiffness in cold
Test results
Spire GTX 5.5%
Average 27.9%
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in stiffness in cold
100%

Grip / Traction

Lug depth

Featuring a pretty toothy and aggressively-looking tread, the grip of the Spire GTX didn't falter us once. The shoe kept a hard bite as we were navigating rocks and creeks, forging through some loose terrain, and wading the river banks.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Lug depth

Our caliper measured the shoe's lug depth at 4.3 mm which feels equally at home on hard-packed trails, rocks, and muddy stretches. This is thanks to the slanted and opposing angles of the treads of the Vibram XS Trek outsole.

La Sportiva Spire GTX outsole

The shoe's Impact Brake System inspired confidence on steep descents as well. It is much more pronounced compared to other hiking shoes.

La Sportiva Spire GTX vs Salomon X ULtra 4 GTX heel brake

Test results
Spire GTX 4.3 mm
Average 4.0 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
2.1 mm
Lug depth
5.0 mm

Size and fit

Internal length

Because La Sportiva's approach to sizing is different from most outdoor brands, it is worth taking a closer look at the brand's size chart.

You will see that in addition to regular full and half US sizes like 8, 8.5, and 9, there will be extra sizes like 8.5+, 10.5+, etc. Following the brand's motto "More sizes = Better fit," the increments in between sizes are smaller allowing you to choose the fit more precisely.

La Sportiva Spire GTX fit

For example, in our case (men's foot length = 263 mm), we can either go with the US 8.5+ (266 mm) for a more one-to-one fit or opt for our regular US size 9 (270 mm) for a little more room.

Test results
Spire GTX 265.8 mm
Average 268.4 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
255.7 mm
Internal length
275.9 mm

Toebox width at the widest part

We found the toebox volume of the Spire GTX to be on point for our D medium feet.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Toebox width at the widest part

In its widest part, our caliper recorded a standard measurement of 97.4 mm.

Test results
Spire GTX 97.4 mm
Average 100.5 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
94.6 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
107.7 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

The shoe's toebox also has a fairly rounded shape which is reflected in a caliper reading of 78.8 mm at the big-toe mark. 

La Sportiva Spire GTX Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Spire GTX 78.8 mm
Average 81.2 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
68.8 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
108.6 mm

Tongue: gusset type

This La Sportiva shoe offers a very secure hold around the midfoot too thanks to the full-length gussets on both sides of the tongue.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Tongue: gusset type

Another benefit of this design is that you don't have to worry about water seeping into the shoe through the gaps.

Test results
Spire GTX Both sides (full)

Comfort

Tongue padding

The Spire GTX offers a very welcome and cozy step-in feel. We found the shoe's internal padding pretty abundant without being too much.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Tongue padding

Measuring its tongue thickness returned 9.3 mm on our caliper and there is just about the same amount of foam packed inside the shoe's collar.

Test results
Spire GTX 9.3 mm
Average 9.6 mm
Compared to 24 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
5.0 mm
Tongue padding
17.0 mm

Heel tab

A finger loop is added at the back of the shoe for an easier on-and-off action.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Heel tab
Test results
Spire GTX Finger loop

Removable insole

If you are not happy with the Spire's stock insole, it can be easily removed and replaced with an insole or a custom orthotic of your choice.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Removable insole
Test results
Spire GTX Yes

Price

The asking price of the La Sportiva Spire GTX is pretty steep for a hiking shoe but it is right on par with the average of hiking boots! Even though we can't completely agree with the shoe's full price, there are a few characteristics that make the Spire worth the extra cost in our opinion:

  • exceptional stability makes it feel a lot like a backpacking boot but without the high collar
  • unique Gore-Tex Surround waterproofing with ventilation ports

But if that's not what you value in a hiking shoe, it's hard to justify the above-average price point of this La Sportiva offering.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Gore-Tex waterproofing

Test results
Spire GTX $209
Average $142
Compared to 28 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
$100
Price
$209

Misc

Reflective elements

There are no reflective elements on the La Sportiva Spire GTX but the silvery membrane that peeks through its midsole ports gleams slightly when hit with light.

Test results
Spire GTX No