La Sportiva

Boulder X Approach Shoe - Men's

Why doesn't La Sportiva publish country of origin info for all its various models of shoes? It's almost like they're embarrassed to admit where their shoes are produced. It's infuriating to visit a manufacture's website and be met with zero transparency regarding who it is that's actually making the products the company is profiting from. The absence of this crucial info is an immediate deal breaker for me and when I encounter this information embargo I immediately move on. If the company in question doesn't have enough respect for me or its workers to divulge the country of manufacture I'm not going to give them a dime. Oh, and 99 times out of 100 that that this info is missing it means that the product(s) in question are made in an Asian sweatshop. No thanks. I'll stick to companies that produce in countries that are covered by environmental and labor laws at least as protective as those in my own country (and hopefully even more so). What a turn off!

Fantastic shoe!

Solid as can be. A must have for rugged approach terrain.

Comfy and durable

I have worn many pairs of this shoe over many years. It continues to be a comfortable shoe for easy climbing, scrambling, and hanging out. I will definitely continue to wear it in the future.

Perfect approach shoes

Best shoes I’ve ever owned. I’ve had them for 3 years and have walked to many crags and they are still going strong.

Why are they still orange

The shoes are great! BUT for the love of all that’s good in the world please change the colour. I daily these shoes and nobody wants to wear an orange shoe everyday.

Great for narrow feet, but short.

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

45.5

Weight:

200

Solid shoe, been wearing La Sportiva for years in 45.5. These are definitely a little smaller than normal length.

Scrambling and Rough Terrain

I live in CO and spend time in the Gore Range which has a lot of gnarly ridges and approaches. Lightweight approach shoes don't work for me. This shoe does what it is advertised to do. There is great support all around and it is a burly shoe, but not a cluncky old-school feeling. Sensitive enough to handle class 4 or 5 climbing. Like the sole and rubber is sticky, and yes it handles wet rock very well. I can manage smaller snow sections that don't require crampons. They don't breathe well with leather tongue but in the mountains that shouldn't be a problem, and it stays in place without flopping to one side. Once the laces are adjusted and tied they are set and don't need constant adjustment, like the lacing wrapping around the back of the ankle. Shoes will need a longer break-in time so wear them around town a little before heading up. One minor complaint is the rubber rand fully wraps around the shoe and this offers a lot of protection, but it is thin in the toe. It should be thicker in my opinion in the evolution of this shoe. Overall, nice work LaSportiva!

2 Month Review

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

42.0

Height:

5' 9"

Weight:

170

I've only had these for 2 months and the right shoe is already falling apart. La Sportiva has been a disappointment the last few items I've purchased.

Worth its Weight

I have had this shoe a while. I actually have a lot of different shoes as I am one of those people that constantly look for something better. I am not sure there is anything better if you want good grip and protection, especially protection. If you are going to be on your feet for very long or on a lot of rough terrain getting to that technical climb, these shoes are worth their weight in spades. My only complaint is that I would like to see some of the colors they have in Europe!

Super Support & Grip

I've had 4-5 pairs of these over the years and worn them until the soles are worn through. They are so comfortable (once broken in) I wear them for work or play. I've bought a pair for my 3 adult children and they all like them for hiking.