One Sport/Climb High Everest

Review Date
July 12, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: G. Casanova Alig(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Brooklyn, NY

Price Paid:  $650.00 at Rock and Snow (New Paltz)

Summary:
This is a great boot, provided you are going to Denali or some other extremely cold place. I am a national caliber runner. Despite living by my feet, I balked at paying $600+ on a shoe. However, after considering the conditions I would face on Denali, I realized (rationalized) I would pay at least $60 each for my toes. On the West Butt, I was content with my decision, especially when I was toasty warm. while other climbers had cold toes (one was frostbiten) in the -30 weather.

Look for bargins you can get them for less than the $650 I paid. Do try on several pairs (I tried on three).

My girlfriend says they are also great to wear shovelling the driveway.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
June 24, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: scott K.(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Boston

Summary:
If you have the money, this is the way to go for Denali et al. Be careful as the sizing is deceptive, I had to buy/return 4 pairs to get the fit right. I even had one pair that had two nails come up 1/8 " into the heal. On Denali there was no better boot, no blisters, warm, easy on when totally frozen. These boots talk the talk and walk the walk. There is no better cold mountain boot.

Similar Products Used:
Koflachs

Review Date
February 4, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: John Sagebiel(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Reno, Nevada, USA

Summary:
Nearly the perfect boot for high altitude and cold weather, for a lot of reasons. 1) Integrated overboot/gaiter means no messing around with putting on overboots or gaiters, which is a real time and finger saver when you're cold. Also, this means when you don't have your crampons on, you still have some traction from the boot sole which you do not get from overboots (ever felt neoprene on snow?). This also makes for a very compact boot. 2) VERY warm boot, even with crampons on I have never been cold in these boots and I would only wear thin synthetic socks in these boots (even on the summit of Denali). Even the liners alone are very warm. 3) Velcro closures and zipper pulls means you can easially adjust these with glove/mittens. Much better than laces when your fingers are cold.
Caveats: Do not buy a pair right before a major expedition. I know plastic boots are not supposed to break in, but these definitely get more comfortable with wear. Plan on spending a decent amount of time in these before they really feel comfortable, but once they break into your feet, you will NOT find a more comfortable boot. Coming off Denali, I walked from the high camp (17K') to base in one non-stop trip and got no blisters. Definitely better than my AFS Expeditions.
Do not buy this boot if you want something that can climb vertical ice, however, it's not that kind of a boot.
Value is excellent when you consider all you are getting (like keeping your toes).

Similar Products Used:
Aslo AFS Expedition