Reviewed by: Justin Black(Unregistered User)
,
Climber
, from Berkeley, CA Summary:
I bought these for vertical water ice, alpine ice, mixed routes, and general western U.S. mountaineering, and they have delivered in spades! The midsole is quite stiff longitudinally, making them very stable and supportive for frontpointing (anything from strap-on hinged crampons to automatic monopoints would work great on this boot... great heel/toe reinforcement for step-ins), but with a subtle flex while hiking to make the approach enjoyable. These aren't trekkers thought... I would choose lighter and softer boots, or running shoes, for long trips if I didn't expect to encounter glacier/gully ice). Laterally the soles are completely rigid and are cut close to the boot for climbing performance, so Annapurnas edge on rock like a dream. The high ankle offers enough flex for effective french and comfortable decents. The yellow plastic "wings" built into the upper do seem to offer a great deal of support and don't compromise fit or comfort in any way. A high wrap-around rubber rand makes these things bombproof, enhances the excellent waterproofing, and facilitates jamming. While these are not "thinsulated," I found them to be plenty warm during extended periods in conditions ranging from wet snow and ice in Lee Vining Canyon to pre-dawn winter climbing in the Sierras with wind chills down to minus 20F (good gaiters help in the warmth department). In fact, if the sun is bright, these black boots can get a little too warm on glaciers. As for fit, I have a somewhat wide foot with a high-arch, and the Annapurnas fit like a glove... a rare thing in a technical mountaineering boot made in Italy. That being the case, those with narrow and/or flat feet would do better with the La Sportiva Trango Extreme or Scarpa Freney for technical ice and mixed alpine climbing (both too narrow for me). To sum up, Annapurnas offer excellent performance as an ice-climbing/mountaineering boot, good value (fantastic if you find them on sale), and a fitting alternative for the robust of foot. Customer Service:
No problems to report. Similar Products Used:
Asolo Cliff (decent classic mountaineering boot), Scarpa Alpha (incredible climbing performance and hiking comfort for a double-plastic).
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