Certainly one of La Sportiva’s most uncommon footwear, the Spire GTX, is a climbing boot masquerading as a path runner. These footwear have acquired excessive reward in each the fastpacking and climbing worlds – however do they dwell as much as the thrill? We put the Spire GTX by way of rigorous testing over tons of of miles from the muddy trails of the Cascades to Colorado’s tallest peaks to seek out out for you. Preserve studying for our in-depth evaluation.
Fast Specs
Males’s La Sportiva Spire GTX
Rugged & sturdy waterproof climbing footwear
Worth: MSRP: $209
Weight: (PAIR): 2 lb 2.3 oz
Sizing: True to measurement
Professionals
- Comfy
- Breathable
- Waterproof
- Steady
- Glorious traction
Cons
- Heavy
- Single-lace eyeholes
- Restricted sturdiness
- Lengthy break-in
- Not one of the best for scrambling
- Costly
Professionals
Consolation
Consolation is a trademark of the Spire GTX. The preliminary break-in interval was longer than we wished, at about 15-20 miles, the place the footwear felt inflexible and agency. As soon as they relaxed, although, it felt like we’d been carrying them for years.
That is the right footwear when you love the construction and burliness of a boot, however need the breathability and dexterity of a path runner. La Sportiva describes the Spire as a “mid-duty climbing boot”, however we expect they look and feel like a stout climbing shoe. Because of the sturdy midsoles and thick foam, the Spire feels nice, nimble, and quick on well-groomed trails, however they actually excel on various and uneven terrain.
La Sportiva makes use of compression-molded EVA for the midsole of the Spires. This is identical agency cushioning used to construct their longest-distance path runners, which suggests your toes received’t tire as shortly, and also you’ll keep snug even by way of the longest days. This molding retains the footwear feeling sturdy on every little thing from river crossings and slippery logs to dusty, gravelly ascents. The Spires are greater than cushioned sufficient to run in, however hefty sufficient for slopey, technical climbing routes.
Breathability
The Spire GTX ventilates so effectively they’re aggressive with a lot of our favourite path runners. They’re extraordinarily efficient at moisture management. Due to the Gore-Tex Encompass membrane, our toes stayed dry on path. This Gore-Tex system permits sweat and built-up moisture to exit shortly not solely by way of the highest of the shoe however vent by way of the perimeters and the footbed itself. The Spires stored our toes impressively and persistently dry on sizzling days, within the direct solar, for hours on finish.
Waterproof
These footwear are additionally reliably waterproof. We put the Spires by way of the wringer over two weeks in soggy fall situations within the excessive Colorado Rockies, with a number of hikes by way of frozen creeks, deep mud, fields of tall grass soaked with the prior night time’s rain, and patches of mushy snow. The decision? These footwear carry out. They by no means allowed moisture in and stored our hooves persistently dry. This degree of breathability and waterproofing additionally makes the Spires an excellent selection not only for summer time, however for frigid and moist spring and fall adventures.
The tongue design is essential to the water resistance of this pair: it’s related all the best way to the collar, so there’s no likelihood of moisture soaking your socks until you’re in water over your ankles. And, since they measure over 4 inches excessive, it doubtless received’t matter when you slip right into a deep puddle or mis-step close to a creek.
Sizing and match
Sizing was common and correct, though they don’t are available in slender or vast variations. La Sportiva’s footwear have a status for working a bit slender. Previously, this made the model a favourite for individuals who like tight-fitting footwear, however lower than ultimate for these with wider toes. The Spire GTX bucks this development with a well-known, snug match.
The toe field offers loads of room and the midsole affords a beefy, structured really feel. Nevertheless, we discovered the heel runs surprisingly vast. This extra broad design could be a difficulty for people in search of a slender heel pocket, or when you’re utilizing this shoe for climbing a number of steep terrain. To keep away from slippage or sizzling spots, the laces needed to be cinched tightly and knotted securely. That mentioned, after many dozens of miles and a number of other thousand toes of climbing, the broader heel was not in the end a difficulty (minimal rubbing and no blisters!), and getting used to this match seems to be a part of the break-in interval.
Observe that La Sportiva is an Italian firm, in order that they use European shoe sizing. European shoe sizing measures the foot from heel to longest toe in centimeters, as a substitute of inches, so there are smaller increments than with American footwear. In our expertise, meaning a precise match. For instance, in case your foot measures 25 cm, you’d sometimes put on a European measurement 40 however may measurement up or down one cm (about .39 in) for consolation. This makes the Spire a fantastic selection for various foot sorts and shapes.
Steady
These footwear are unquestionably four-wheel-drive footwear, constructed to deal with most landscapes. Sitting at 4.1 inches tall, they’ve a excessive reduce in comparison with path runners, however a low reduce versus climbing boots, touchdown within the candy spot between the 2. In case you want a medium-to-high drop and a stiff heel, you’ll love the Spire GTX.
The standard lacing system, tall tongue, and heel tab make them really feel acquainted and powerful, however the brawny Vibram outsoles set them aside. The aggressive lug sample creates an extremely grippy, dependable, and steady climbing expertise. The Spires felt safe on trails, grass, mud, and angled terrain.
The Spire GTX has TPU inserts. TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane. It’s a really versatile and sturdy kind of plastic utilized in climbing footwear so as to add help and safety. The inserts work effectively to reduce foot ache, and the good use of waterproof supplies and heavier weight will make you’re feeling assured and quick on the paths.
Traction
These are severely grippy footwear. The Spires are outfitted with the identical sticky Vibram XS Trek outsoles that La Sportiva makes use of on a lot of its climbing and mountaineering boots. This compound is extremely dynamic and cheesy, so the footwear really feel steady on every little thing from moist rock to sand and pebbles. We discovered the self-cleaning outsoles are additionally remarkably environment friendly at releasing mud, rocks, and unfastened filth, with no problems with clumping or caking after climbing by way of even the deepest sludge.
The Spire GTX options giant, tightly-spaced lugs for a reliable grip whereas crushing an ascent. The busy, aggressive tread can also be thoughtfully designed for lengthy descents. La Sportiva additionally makes use of their Affect Braking System – a grip sample that provides management and enhanced traction when coming down inclines. We discovered the Spire GTX made simple work of climbing, descending, and working.
Cons
Weight
Two kilos is heavy. The Spire GTX is among the heavier pairs in our prime ten listing of Finest Males’s Climbing Footwear. Versus aggressive waterproof climbing footwear just like the Merrell Moab 3 or the Solomon X Extremely 4 GTX, the Spires are notably heavier. If light-weight is your prime precedence, there are lots of different much less heavy waterproof choices. Try our Finest Males’s Climbing Footwear and Finest Girls’s Climbing Footwear to see our favorites.
Regardless of the burden penalty, these footwear by no means felt cumbersome. The Spires are a superb selection for multi-day adventures in addition to shorter excursions. Just a few additional ounces mustn’t deter you from making an attempt these out. However we expect they’re too heavy for prolonged adventures like thru-hikes (and 20-mile days), which demand extra flexibility and lighter soles to maintain you comfortable because the miles stack up.
Single-lace eyeholes
Sadly, the Spire GTX solely comes with single eyelet lace holes on the prime of the foot as a substitute of two like on many aggressive path runners and climbing footwear. Double-eyelets enable for a variety of lacing configurations that may provide a custom-made tighter or larger match for various foot shapes or becoming wants. For instance, the broader heel of the Spire wouldn’t be a difficulty if there have been two eyelet holes since we may have laced the footwear tighter to forestall even occasional heel slippage or rubbing. With just one eyelet, an adaptable lacing system just isn’t doable.
Restricted sturdiness
Don’t get us mistaken – the Spire GTX are very sturdy. We even named them one of many 4 most sturdy footwear on our prime ten listing of Finest Males’s Climbing Footwear. Nevertheless, all-synthetic uppers are merely not made for longevity, and for us, it is a con of the Spire GTX.
Although the chunky Vibram outsoles really feel bombproof, it’s necessary to spotlight that the development of those “boots” is identical as most path runners: mesh wraps from the perimeters to the highest. This materials is robust, however typical climbing difficulties like roots, sharp rocks, mud, and constant abrasion will blow out this material.
After solely 70 miles, we discovered the substitute uppers have begun to indicate put on. There’s predictable fraying the place the mesh forefoot creases, stitching is coming undone on the toe, and there’s slight separation of the midsole from the facet mesh on one shoe. We’re nonetheless assured we’ll get 500+ backcountry miles from the Spires, and they’ll outlive most lighter footwear – however, in our expertise, this fast put on and tear is par for the course with absolutely artificial footwear.
The weakest ingredient of the Spire GTX? The shoelaces. Like most of La Sportiva’s laces, these footwear make the most of artificial fiber wrapped in a sheath. This sheath tends to wear down, normally lengthy earlier than the shoe does. We advocate shopping for a backup pair of shoelaces on the time of buy or swapping them out for a extra sturdy pair instantly.
Lengthy break-in interval
Certainly one of our favourite issues concerning the Spire GTX is how stiff they’re because it makes for a really steady shoe – however that is additionally a con. The thick midsole and beefy, inflexible outer sole made for an extended break-in interval when in comparison with different choices. They’re actually snug, but it surely took about 10-12 hours of climbing, or round 15-20 miles earlier than the footwear absolutely loosened up and tailored to our toes. That is considerably longer than a few of the Spires’ competitors, a lot of which match effectively proper out of the field, or took solely a few miles to melt.
Not for scrambling
We seen a scarcity of flexibility when climbing extraordinarily rocky trails and traversing prolonged, sharp scree, talus, and boulder fields. The stiffness of the footwear made foot placement on rocky terrain difficult. The excessive rise of the Spire GTX felt wobbly on prolonged, precarious, jagged surfaces because the outsoles stay considerably inflexible even after the break-in interval is over. Nevertheless, on most different terrains – from slippery stream crossings to difficult ascents – the stiffness of the shoe made them really feel very steady and safe.
Moreover, the Spires don’t have a strengthened toecap. As a substitute, they characteristic an additional layer of tough, abrasion-resistant materials that provides construction to the shoe and slightly additional safety on your toes. In case you’re searching for a greater scrambling possibility, contemplate a lower-profile, extra versatile path runner for extra agility. Check out our High Path Runners for Girls and our High Path Runners for Males for ideas.
Worth
The Spire GTX is among the costliest pairs on our listing of Finest Males’s Climbing Footwear. In case you are out there for footwear or path runners, you’ll doubtless have some sticker shock. Nevertheless, they carry out like a high-end climbing boot with a water-proof lining, burly traction, and excellent stability. Although they’re spendy in comparison with our different prime climbing footwear, they’re on the low finish for value in comparison with boots with related options. In order for you a burly boot-like shoe and this pair matches your toes effectively, they’re a fantastic selection. Nevertheless, in order for you a lighter-weight shoe, there are different budget-friendly choices that carry out equally.
Backside Line
The Spire GTX are dynamic. They provide stellar efficiency on most terrain, whether or not moist or dry, steep or flat, steady or semi-loose. Because of some fancy tech, your toes will keep ventilated, comfortable, and supported irrespective of the place you’re climbing. These footwear felt steady, dependable, and cozy whether or not we have been chasing a number of summits and 20+ mile days, taking quick afternoon hikes to the river, or grabbing some greasy pizza and a chilly beer on the town.
At round one pound per shoe, although, they’re notably heavy. The Spires even have a longer-than-average break-in interval. Like most artificial uppers, this pair is liable to put on and tear, they usually fall quick on scrambles. Plus, they carry a big price ticket in comparison with our different prime climbing footwear.
Nevertheless, total, we’re nonetheless massive followers of La Sportiva’s Spire GTX. They do an beautiful job of mixing one of the best options of a standard climbing boot – like stability, nice traction, and a water-proof liner – with our favourite points of high-quality path runners – like breathability, consolation, and correct sizing. These footwear are so versatile that they’re price for nearly any journey, whether or not you’re a day hiker, obsessive weekend warrior, or love multi-day backpacking journeys and part hikes. The Spire GTX earned a spot on our listing of the Finest Males’s Climbing Footwear – they usually may simply turn out to be your go-to pair of climbing footwear.
Extra Info
We hope this evaluation helps you establish if the La Sportiva Spire GTX is best for you. As all the time, please go away a remark beneath when you’ve got any suggestions, questions, or ideas. And are available verify us out on Fb and Instagram to affix the group dialog. In case you discovered this evaluation useful, please share on social media!
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