Verdict from 16 experts and 46 user reviews
8 reasons to buy
- Despite its bulky profile and stiff build, many experts had to commend the Trango Cube GTX for its surprising lightness.
- A considerable number of expert reviewers found a comfortable cradle in this mountaineering boot. One of them especially liked the footwear’s toe rocker for giving him walk comfort on level ground.
- The La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX provides excellent arch support, according to a small number of professional reviewers.
- Some mountaineers quickly fell in love with this boot after experiencing its outstanding surface traction.
- A small number of owners greatly praised the Trango Cube GTX for its unrelenting fortification against wet elements.
- This is quite a versatile piece of mountaineering boot, according to a couple of happy customers. Apart from mountain climbing, they were also able to use the boot in their backpacking adventures.
- A seasoned footwear reviewer appreciated the La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX even further when he got a firsthand experience of the boot’s impressive level of stability.
- Its mountain climbing performance was considered phenomenal by a professional YouTube vlogger.
4 reasons not to buy
- A handful of users found the boot’s insulation quite lacking. One of them, an expert reviewer, blamed the thin inner liner for this issue.
- The La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX runs small, according to some wearers.
- A couple of owners lambasted this mountaineering footgear for taking them ages to break it in.
- An expert became deeply disappointed with the boot’s outsole. He said its front end wore out too quickly.
Bottom line
The Trango Cube GTX has jaw-dropping comfort, unbelievable lightness, and impressive versatility. It is a supportive climbing gear that provides excellent stability and traction. Its waterproofing is uncompromising which also contributes to the boot’s overall lofty stature. However, the Trango Cube GTX has a somewhat murky side as some people detested its lackluster insulation, drawn-out break-in period, inconsistent sizing and wear-prone sole. In conclusion, it is easy to overlook its faults with its brilliant collection of positive points.
Good to know
- The La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX, the Trango S Evo’s successor, is crafted to respond to the high demands of passionate mountaineers with its features and updates. The boot’s upper is made using a combination of quality fabrics and light, synthetic materials which make this version less heavy than its predecessor.
- The lower half of the boot’s lacing system is now made of TPU (a sturdy, plastic material) as opposed to the previous version’s synthetic fabric. Majority of this updated closure system’s eyelets are open hooks which allow for quick lace-ups.
- The Trango Cube GTX now has a 4mm graded nylon footbed. This removable insole replaces the former version’s 7mm TrangoFlex footbed.
- Giving climbers traction on rocky and icy surfaces is the boot’s Vibram One outsole. This rubber layer contributes to the footwear’s overall lightness as it has a lower profile compared with the Trango S Evo’s Vibram Mulaz outsole.
The La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX is a mid-cut footgear designed for both male and female mountain climbers. Note that some US half sizes are marked with a plus (+) symbol. These plus-marked sizes are considerations for those needing a slightly bigger half-size fit. Those requiring extra internal space may also remove the detachable tongue. The boot is engineered using the Trango last which gives its interior enough space for medium-width feet. The Trango Cube GTX’s lacing system provides wearers a personalized lockdown, especially with its synthetic ankle lace loops.
La Sportiva's Trango Cube GTX provides wearers the traction they need over mountainous terrain, thanks to its Vibram One outsole. This rubber sole sports low-profile lugs which are designed to help mountaineers secure their footing on uneven surfaces. The lugs around the heel zone make up the outsole’s Impact Brake System. This proprietary technology by La Sportiva has the lugs slanted and positioned at opposing angles to improve the boot’s shock absorption and impact force reduction by about 20% each.
The Trango Cube GTX’s midsole is a stabilizing rubber platform which is made using a combination of polyurethane (PU) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Majority of the midsole is made of polyurethane which gives it the ability to support the user's weight and withstand wear and tear. Part of the heel zone and the entirety of the arch section, on the other hand, are tough against cracks and give the boot ample rebound as they are made of EVA. Its heel end, which is reinforced with thermoplastic urethane (TPU), serves as a crampon connection.
When it comes to underfoot comfort, on top of the cushy midsole, the boot also has a 4mm graded Nylon footbed. This removable insole has contoured midfoot borders for extra arch support and a perforated forefoot zone for added breathability.
With its multi-layered upper—seamless, waterproof QB3 fabric, Flex-Tec2 fabric, TPU overlay and Vibram rubber rand—the La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX gives wearers a protected mountaineering experience. Debris protection is primarily handled by the boot’s gusseted, outer tongue. Walling off water and other wet elements is the Gore-Tex Performance Comfort liner. This waterproofing technology also improves the boot’s breathability and durability. The interior, which includes the removable tongue, has enough padding for extra comfort.
The Trango Cube GTX’s standard lace-up system features TPU lace hooks and loops which work hand in hand with the upper’s synthetic overlay in giving wearers a snug fit. It has a pair of lace loops that the designers slightly offset from the main path of the eyelets to give wearers the ability to set their desired fit from the ankle up.
The boot’s toe box is reinforced with a rubber coating. This rubber coverage, together with the Vibram rubber rand, guards the footwear against abrasions and gives wearers extra protection against forefoot injuries and toe bumps.
- The La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX is compatible with hybrid bindings (crampons).
- This boot has won Gear Institute’s Best New Gear award in the summer of 2013.
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