La Sportiva Lhotse

Review Date
February 11, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Tony(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ime

Summary:
Awesome boots! Incredibly waterproof and hike and climb great. I don't understand people who write about there La Sportiva boots breaking. I'm going to put a second sole on my Makalus and have beaten the crap out of those for 8 years. I see these boots as being just as tough-only warmer and heavier.

Review Date
January 27, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: cgailey(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $325.00 at Alaska Mountaineerin

Summary:
I bought these boots about three years ago as a winter mountaineering boot and they have since replaced my Montrails because they are so comfortable. I have had no problems with quality as it seems many folks have, but anything can happen. I've used them year round on climbs and other than being a tad warm in the summer, have been more than impressed by their performance. Good feel right out of the box and so far decent durablity. Good boot if you climb in colder, but not frigid climates. Not a boot for high altitude or ultra cold expeditions. Great for mixed conditions where a lot of trail approach hiking is required.

Customer Service:
Have yet to deal with CS, so I have no idea...

Similar Products Used:
Montrail, Scarpa

Review Date
April 15, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.33 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by: john (Unregistered User) ,  Climber

Price Paid:  $300.00 at A local store near y

Summary:
Less than one season of use and they fell apart. The rubber flex piece at the ankle ripped away from the leather. Other than that is a comfortable boot that climbs well. But you may only get to try them for a route or two before they fall apart.

Customer Service:
Customer Service is terrible. They refused to fix the boots under warranty and could not recommend a cobbler. Failed to return calls and give me any information about the boots they just showed back up at the P.O. with a note. The warranty issue is understandable becasue I did not have a receipt but a boot this expensive should last for years not weeks.

Similar Products Used:
La spotiva K3, Nepal Extreme, Asolo Expediton, Scarpa Inverno.

Review Date
September 27, 2002

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by: PeteMyers(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $325.00 at Direct

Summary:
I bought my boots direct from La Sportiva USA. After first climb, the welt started to peel back off of the toe. Customer service had me send them in. I suggested replacement. They provided repair after five weeks.
After a few more climbs, the welt starts peeling off the toe of both boots. I sent them in asking for their replacement and my displeasure.
The guy that repaired my boots at La Sportiva wrote me an email and accused me of storing my boots at high temperature. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both my wife and I wrote saying so.

"Customer Service" told me that they had no more 45.5 Lhotses in stock and that I would be given my money back. Basically, I was shown to the door.

Last time I guy anything from La Sportiva. The boots fit and worked great. That was not an issue. I LIKED the boots!Û

Customer Service:
What customer service??

Review Date
October 31, 2001

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Connor(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $280.00 at Garmisch Partenkirch

Summary:
I bought these boots to fill my needs for mountaineering in the Alps.
FIRST pair, the rubber/strech piece on the heel completely ripped apart from the stiching after two weeks of moderate glacier travel and light ice climbing. No problem returning them to the retailer for a new pair.
The SECOND pair, the same problem only after only five days of mixed rock and ice climbing around Mont Blanc. I had to continue in these boots for another five days as the weather was to fine to let deteriorating boots stop me. Nothing like 100mph tape and gators to hold things together.
I don't consider my self an extreme climber, but I enjoy mixed climbing on moderate routes. These boots should have held up better in under worse conditions. Nothing like the feeling of being ripped off after shelling out good cash on crap.
Returned the SECOND pair to a different retailer (in Stuttgart) and after two weeks waiting on an answer, they said I can chose any type they manufacture.
I'm going to the Nepal Extremes as quite a few freinds wear these and have nothing but praise for them.
As for the Lhotse boot itself, if it wasn't for that crap peice of rubber stiched into the heel, it's great. Comfortable, minimal break in time, good grip/traction on rock, great with crampons, all the things a good boot for mixed climbing should be. Only if they could do something about that rubber peice.
My recommendation, spend the extra cash and get the Mountain's or the Nepal Extreme if you want something that's warmer.

Customer Service:
Good, a little slow on replacement replies, here in Germany.

Similar Products Used:
LaSportiva K3's