La Sportiva Men's Boulder X Mid Mountain Shoes

Product Information

La Sportiva set the standards in approach shoe design with their Boulder X model. It was the go-to shoe for climbers looking to upgrade their approach shoe collection, or even to replace their battered 5-year-old Boulder X – we even know of people hoarding pairs of Boulder X in fear that they might one day become discontinued. You should now be able to see approximately 2 cm (about an index fingers width) of the footbed poking out in front of your toes. Note: these can perform like a minimalist mountaineering boot for light-and fast climbs, but they will not keep you warm like a proper mountain boot and they will not climb ice well, especially with aluminum strap-on crampons. Then again, Fitz Roy has been climbed in shoes like this… This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister.

If you can see this amount of space then you are pretty much on the way to making sure that your boots are the correct size. This space between your toes and the end of the footbed ensures that you will not stub your toes on the inside of the boot when you descend. This can be excruciatingly painful. If you can’t see this amount of space then it’s a good bet that the boots will be too small. Now that your boots are done up properly stand up on your tiptoes and walk on the spot on the balls of your feet as if you are walking up a steep hill. If your heels lift more than approximately 5mm from the footbed you may need to pull the laces tighter, or the boots may just be the wrong shape for you. Inspired by the Mythos project, these boots have a patented lacing system that runs all the way down to the toe to get a much more enhanced fit to suit various foot shapes and fit preferences.I bought the Boulder X Mid GTX before a trip to the Bugaboos and convinced my partner to do the same; we were psyched, not only because our shoes matched, but they worked really well. I also took them to Argentine Patagonia and was very pleased in certain conditions. Every product is a compromise; you can’t optimize everything at once.

Bottom line: these are a very well-built shoe that excel in a specific environment, and are probably not appropriate for other uses: Of course, many features were eliminated to produce such a lightweight shoe. The midsole contains very little padding, so long hikes aren't very comfortable in the TX2 Evo. The lightweight knit upper doesn't provide much support and is more susceptible to wear and tear. If you need a shoe for rugged approaches and lots of standing in aiders, these shoes aren't the right choice. But if you want to move light and fast and need a shoe that can accompany you up big routes without weighing you down, the TX2 Evo is a perfect choice. NOTE: The above table is only a guide. Manufactures don’t like tomake it easy as every single oneof them strays from the measurements above.This shoe can do it all, from precise climbing on mid-5th class terrain to rugged hikes to long aid climbs This brilliant approach and everyday shoe has a technical, almost climbing shoe fit and feel making the Boulder X a good choice for outdoor professionals and instructors wanting a shoe for lower level climbs as well as walk-ins. The patented Asymmetric lacing system derives from the Mythos climbing shoe project, which gives the shoe a very precise and controlled feel on steeper ground. The TX line is broken up into three models: TX2, TX4 and TX5, with the number depending on the weight and stiffness of the shoe (TX2 being lightweight). TX4 and TX5 models are also broken up into a low and a mid version, so that you’re able to fine tune the fit, stiffness and weight based on the intended use. Rand is thin, so not durable. Same problem as the Boulder X: you will trash these if you jumar, and the rand will not last long. Comfortable for hiking, good climbing performance, high quality construction, multiple insole width options