I tried an Asolo plastic boot, Scarpa plastic boot and these... all in snow with a little bit of approach work. The Degre was the most comfortable and felt the lightest. Since purchasing them I've used them a handful of times without any problems. I have unusually wide feet which can cause problems with some boots but not with these. Since these are the only plastic boots I've owned, I can't say much more. Although, comfortable feet are very important to me when climbing and these boots have proven to be so every time out.

These boots are the best I have used. After renting multiple pairs, from the old Viva Softs, some Asolos and BD Scarpas, I chose these because they fit my foot the best and stayed warm, even in periods of low activity sitting around the camp. These boots are really worth the money I payed for them, the have paysed for themselves two times over, especially on the great deal I got from beans last year.

After trying on numerous pairs of both leather, and plastic "mountaineering" boots for ice climbing, I settled on the Koflachs simply because they were the best in form, fit, and function. The plastic shell is sturdy and strong, but flexible enough for all-day ice climbing. (a specific place where many leather boots fail..) The toe box has ample room for all but the widest feet, and can be snugged down without deforming the boot for you narrow-footed types out there.. The liner supplies plenty of warmth, and the lacing is straight-forward. I've experienced no problems with water/ice leakage, and the Vibram sole is bomb-proof. Plenty of "ledge" is built into the boot for crampon usage. Overall, an excellent boot, a great value, and no surprises..... What more could you ask?? "Free" is the only word that comes to mind, but for those of you looking for a great mountaineering/climbing boot look no further..

Customer Service

Koflach probably doesn't need a "Customer Service" department. Their shoes are fabulous, with no problems experienced in the 4 months of extensive usage that they've had to endure this climbing season...

I rented a brand new pair on a recent 5 day climb on Rainier. They beat the hell out of my feet and shins and I would not recommend these boots if you have similarly shaped feet (but how to tell?). The liners did not dry as fast as the liners in lowa plastic boots but they were plenty warm as Rainier in early May is cold cold cold.

Customer Service

Watch out for the extra wide toe on the boot. The toe bail on your step-in crampons may not fit or may fit in a sketchy way. Check it out before you climb!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Lowa, Scarpa, Asolo

I am a 14 year old mountaineer from Eugene, OR. I rented a pair of these plastic boots from REI when we climbed Mt. Baker. I have always had a problem with cold feet, but the thick padding of the Degres kept me warm even while wearing crampons in the snow at 3:00 in the morning. I found them great on the trail with a heavy pack, but on rock slabs and boulders they are so stiff that it is difficult to get much friction. In the Cascade snow they are GREAT. Kicking steps, cramponing, glissading, you name it, the degres will do it. I managed to open the skin just above my foot after descending 8000 feet in 6 hrs with a heavy pack. Maybe I should have put some moleskin there. Overall a great boot for trail/snow climbing. The uppers are unbelievably soft, they feel like suede leather.

Customer Service

I only had them for three days, but they seemed very durable.

Similar Products Used:

Some ancient (40 year old) leather climbing/hiking boots. They are cold, but great for hikes and easy snow.

It was a sunny afternoon in January, and we didn't have to head home until the following morning, so my climbing partner and I decided to scout out the approach hike to the slide route on Santanoni Peak, in New York's Adirondacks. We snowshoed a little over eight and a half miles into the High Peaks Wilderness, found the creek that leads to the base of the slide, and, as night was already settling in, turned around and headed back out. Even at the very end of the return hike, as my legs wobbled and my back ached, my feet felt wonderful. They were tired, yes, but apart from the fatigue, I did not feel even the slightest pinch or the tiniest hot spot. A few hours later, as my partner and I sat in front of a glowing fireplace at a bar in Long Lake, I didn't even bother taking the boots off.
I could not ask for a better pair of boots. In addition to being comfortable, the Degres are quite warm; the day before that overly-enthusiastic dayhike, when the temperature had been so utterly cold that my water bottle and lip balm froze solid in my chest pocket, my feet had been no less than toasty. The Degres give plenty of support for ice climbing, and they are surprisingly effective on rock; I wore them bouldering this last February and March, and I felt quite comfortable, even on the sketchier holds. The sole is stiff enough and sharp enough that one can edge on the tiniest irregularities.

I highly recommend these boots. I am quite pleased with them.

Customer Service

I have not had to contact customer service, and I doubt that I will ever need to. These boots are bomb-proof.

I took a brand new pair of Koflach Degre to the Alps for two weeks, and had no problems at all - a very comfortable boot. I generally wore them with the laces fairly loose - this avoids rubbing on the shin/ankle. As well as snow and ice work I wore them for several rock scrambling routes and my only concern is that the rubber toe rands are already showing signs of wear - I'm not sure how durable these will be in the long term.

The boots are quite warm - I think the liners are thicker than on the old Viva Soft. I have sweaty feet, and found that the liners quickly became damp and took a while to dry out at the end of the day.

These boots were available in Chamonix for two thirds the price I paid in the UK!

Similar Products Used:

None

I wore these boots for an entire month in British Columbia's Coast Range during my NOLS course and couldn't have asked for anything more. They were wonderful both in the snow and in the forest. A great boot for a great price.

BUY THIS BOOT!.....

I've tried Asolo Guides, and Lowa (I think) plastic climbing boots. My feet suffered badly in both boots with hot spots, blisters, poor fit etc.

I rented the Degree's last year and finished my climb with a smile. No blisters, great fit, SUPER comfortable!

Koflach did a great job in designing these boots. I imagine they'll sell a lot of them.