Black mountaineering boots

Sturdy, warm, comfortable, and supportive. These are the top things people look for when buying mountaineering boots. Well, there’s another one - they should be color black.

Black mountaineering boots are all over the place. Famous brands like Scarpa, Asolo, and La Sportiva all offer stylish black boots for mountaineers and hikers alike. People are as obsessed with black boots just as they are obsessed with black cars, black suits, and everything black.

But now that you’ve decided to go with black mountaineering boots, what’s next?

It’s time to dig deeper into the nitty-gritty part of finding the perfect mountain boots.

Things to consider when looking for men's and women's mountaineering boots

So what's the best mountaineering boots for men and women?

The answer is “it depends”. No two people have exactly the same feet and therefore, the shoes that are perfect for one person may not be the best choice for another. 

The good thing is, there are several factors you can take into account when hunting for the right boots.

Your mountaineering goals

There are many kinds of mountaineering boots. Where and how you will want to use your boots can help streamline your choices. If you’re trekking on the Everest Base Camp, for example, you want boots that are super warm, waterproof, and have rigid soles. 

Features

If you’re hoping to use your mountaineering boots for hiking too, then you should opt for boots that are more flexible, lightweight, and aren’t insulated. However, note that most mountaineering boots are meant for summiting snowy peaks. If you hike often, it’s worth investing in a pair of backpacking boots.

Waterproofing

Regardless of where you’re going, you want a pair of boots that will keep your feet dry all the time. Heavy-duty mountaineering boots are lined with a waterproof membrane in addition to an inner boot. 

Fit

Fit is probably the most important thing. Mountaineering boots should fit the way hiking boots do. Your boot should be able to hold your foot in place so it doesn’t slide to the front when going downhill or to the back when going uphill. 

Most mountaineering boots need to be broken in. Don’t be surprised to feel a little discomfort or stiffness the first time you wear it. As long as you’re getting the right size, your boots should work okay. 

Crampon compatibility

It’s best to get your mountaineering boots first before you look for crampons. There are different types of crampons. You want to make sure that yours will work well with your boots.

Best brands for black mountaineering boots

La Sportiva. A favorite by experienced mountaineers, La Sportiva has been making rugged boots for over 90 years. They are known for incorporating modern materials and traditional construction in their boots.

Scarpa. As an alpine-centric footwear company, Scarpa has produced top-quality boots for skiing, rock climbing, mountaineering, and mixed climbing. The Scarpa Inverno is a very stylish black mountaineering boot by Scarpa. It’s a double boot made for cold, high-altitude climbs.

Asolo. This company was the first to make trekking boots using Cordura fabric, an innovation that led them to success. Aside from mountaineering, they also sell hiking and backpacking boots.