La Sportiva TRK

Review Date
November 3, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: noah110(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $214.00 at campmor

Summary:
great boot, over the summer i hiked 210+ miles in the Adirondack high peakes and summited 40 of the 46 over 4,000 feet. They held up through down poors, river crossings, and waist high mud. these are definatley the most comfortable boots I have owned owned. However the soles are a different story. By the end the month long hike on the heels it had been worn down to some sort of gray under sole and everywhere else was very smooth and worn down to a 1/4 what it used to be. these soles were the sportiva made ones called skywalk or something and were crap. Now I understnd sportiva is fitting this boot with a vibram sole which will make this boot the greatest to ever exist for heavy backpacking and treking (even day hikes once they have been worn in. also the current in-soles suck, one day i had taken them out and and hiked the entire day without them on the hard plastic stuff and didn't realize it until after i returned to camp and took them off. Get some superfeet of something, unless you don't really care, like me, and don't think too much about your feet. Also they NEED to be waterproofed, or else after walking through 5 puddles your boots will be swimming pools fit for the olympics (use a bees wax solution, it's the best for leather). Buy the new pairs with the vibram if your going to get a hiking boot. I'm thinking about sending mine in to have them resoled with the new vibram. Happy Trails.

Customer Service:
None Used

Similar Products Used:
Asolo FSN 95 GTX, Raichle mountaineering boot

Review Date
June 22, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Mark Byzantium(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Michigan

Price Paid:  $215.00 at Raupp's camp outfitt

Summary:
I am thoroughly with this set of boots. Their break in time is minimal and their comfort is excellent. I spent 6 days with these boots in the rockies and they performed well with every kind of terrain. I was glad that i purchased superfeet insoles as the originals were somewhat inadequate for heavy backpacking. The new insoles made for a more snug fit and better support. My only discomfort came when during extended downhill hiking and my feet became sore but felt better that other boots in the situation. No hot spots and no blisters. Solid boot.

Customer Service:
No experience yet

Similar Products Used:
Asolo MTX 650 GT

Review Date
February 22, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Chris McCarthy(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Boxboro, Ma. 01719

Price Paid:  $215.00 at Appalacian Mountain

Summary:
The TRK was the best fitting, most comfortable boot I have ever worn. While backpacking in Peru, Chile, and Argentina for 3 months I had no complaints except for the sole of the boot. On both feet the treads were worn down to the mid-sole! Yikes, for $215 the out-sole should have lasted much longer.

Customer Service:
I ma currently attempting to have my boots resoled. I love the fit and the comfort and wouldn't want to wera another boot.

Review Date
February 17, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Chris C(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from New Hampshire

Price Paid:  $215.00 at Sportiva

Summary:
I purshaed mine last year as soon as they where available. Excellent in durability, no break in, warm enough for warm winter hikes and rugged enough for good loads. Note: I would definetly give this boot a 5 but cannot because the soles are made by skywalk shoe for Sportiva and mine wore out with minimal use. Lugs are kinda there but the dot pattern is all gone and living in New England where trails can be very wet and slippery this is not the boot you will want for long term us.

Similar Products Used:
Lasportiva Lhotes ( My main apline boots) exceptional all around boot. Technica acadias (very poor soles and slide easily on wet trails)Koflach Expedition (Great boot a little akward to walk in at fir

Review Date
February 16, 2003

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: robert kiser(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from gibsonburg,ohio

Price Paid:  $215.00 at bivouac outfitters,

Summary:
I bought the TRK's after reading favorable reviews on sites like this. I dayhiked in them about 4 times and backpacked about 3 times in a 6 month period in both Appalachains,Rocky, Cascade, and Sierra Mtns. with no problems. quick break in. comfortable. good support while being light.

Customer Service:
TERRIBLE. Upon returning from west I found a broken seam in the heel, which the vendor says he has seen before with these boots. My boots have been lost somewhere in Lasportivas warehouse for >2 months, I called their Colorado office during working hours with no returned messages twice, and sent emails twice. I have never dealt with a more insensitive customer dis-service in any of my dealings.

Similar Products Used:
Lowa Scouts/Renegade GTX, Vasque Alpine, Asolo 500 series, Scarpa Alpha, Montrail Torre GTX