Mountaineering Boots - How to choose the right hiking shoes or climbing boots - La Sportiva Salomon 

I totally agree with you. Never save on boots and shoes. Some garments and items we should never skip on quality even if they cost a lot. As you say, an item failing, when you are out there (not necessarily alone) can turn a day into a nightmare or worse.

I just spoke to you (briefly) about crampons in my reply to your other comment (about headlamps). I hope this will help you orient yourself. To add to that comment, buy a crampon (if the intention is to use it for mountaineering activities) with as many spikes possible. The more it has, the better the grip. 12 points (spikes) is the norm today for mountaineering crampons (10 looking to the ground and 2 forward facing for climbing on steep terain). The longer the spikes (points) the better your fixation on fresh snow. The sharper they are the easier and deeper they get into the icy snow. Don't underestimate weather at high altitude. More times than I can count the snow was frozen.

@Hobo Wily I only now seen your comment. Is not the first time it slips through my mailbox. But now I've seen it and I can answer. I do not recommend Salomon for Via Ferrata. I climbed in the beginning with the X Ultra Mid from Salomon (they did a decent job) but the more you advance and climb more serious routes you will need control (Salomon shoes cannot provide the required control, they are not made for that). The second pair from my right is Quest from Salomon. It is a heavy shoe. Will work on Via Ferrata with many occasions but again, it is a very heavy shoe (you will feel it). I just bought (Was on sale half price) a pair of La Sportiva TX5. I always wanted a boot that will do well for long, demanding hikes, wet terrain and Via Ferrata. It appears La Sportiva TX5 is that shoes. My last buy (La Sportiva TX5) answers your other questions. So far, I always had with me just the La Sportiva TX4 when climbing Via Ferrata (even if the approach and exit were long). La Sportiva TX4 does a very good job for long hikes, climbing (not only Via Ferrata). From now onwards I will continue doing this (when I go on Via Ferrata, any Via Ferrata, I will put on the La Sportiva TX4). I will not give up on La Sportiva TX4. For now, I think they are the best shoes for Via Ferrata. The La Sportiva TX5 I bought for climbing (trekking, hiking, mountaineering) on wet terrain. My issue with Quest from Salomon is being slippery on wet terrain. When scrambling on rocks I many times was slipping. I'm curious to see if La Sportiva TX5 will fix this and if they are an as good of a climbing shoe as the Quest. If not, not. We will see. Conclusion: - for Via Ferrata no matter how far away it is I am going with the TX4 from La Sportiva. - for climbing (trekking, hiking) I stick with Quest from Salomon. - for mountaineering I will stick with La Sportiva Nepal Cube - I just bought on big sale (50%) La Sportiva TX5 and aim at using them on wet weather. I will try them on Via Ferrata on wet weather as well. If they perform well then I will make them my goto boot for wet days on the mountain. - La Sportiva appears to be the only manufacturer creating hybrid shoes. I cannot buy them all. I spent two nights on internet trying to understand the difference between TXS, TX5, TX4-mid and decided to buy the TX5. I've seen another hybrid shoe that can be used for snow (freezing late autumn days when is not real mountaineering) but even with this big sale they still cost 200EUR (La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX). This boot will perform well if it happens that it snows but is not really the time for crampons. I was a week ago (mid October) and there was snow here and there. With the Quest I was making difficulty to stay stable on the snow. For that type of weather, the Trango Tech GTX would've done a very good job (mixed dry/wet/snow terrain). In practice, is really hard to properly manage all weather conditions. Even if you buy all these shoes is still hard to take the right pair (easy in summer and winter time but hard in spring and autumn). Based on this reality and accepting who we are we can easily decide what to buy. If you want a one fit all pair (Via Ferrata, wet terrain, climbing, some snow) then try the La Sportiva TX5. It appears to be the more versatile boot. If you want specialized boots for each individual activity then buy the TX4 and the Quest. To me, at first glance and for my current behaviour the TX5 is too much for Via Ferrata (going on Via Ferrata with wet terrain is not recommended at all so the boot is not really required because in theory you should not go). I will continue using them in various conditions (I for many years only had the Quest and was easy to just take it everywhere). Since I was able to afford buying more shoes I'm experimenting mountaineering at new levels. It is why I restrained myself from saying in the video what video I think is the best. I know the weaknesses of each of them. I'm also well aware of how much they cost. People don't have this kind of money. It is why I focused on saying how to choose the boot, what they do (each type), etc. I hope this helps. If you search for a shoe that performs well on Via Ferrata and you can also use for approach/exit and long hikes/trekking days I will say TX4 can handle it (your feet will hurt a bit but they do a very good job). I'm using them like this and when I do I don't cry after the Quest from Salomon. If you want a serious boot for sustained climbing Quest from Salomon is the better one (not the TX5) because it is made for that. TX5 lacks cushioning (I still have to test them) but they promise to be a strong contender to Quest and add to it stability on wet terrain plus specialised capabilities on Via Ferrata. You will have to wait for me to take out the TX5 and see how it performed.

​​@@JetSetYourselfhave you tested TX5 shoe for via ferrata? We are usually hiking but next year we want to try out via ferrata and we are deciding what shoes we need to buy. It will be great to have versatile shoe for both hiking/trekking and via ferrata. Or what your thoughts on Zamberlan Salathe?

​@@xen0_0xHello. Yes, I did and it behaves great. It is stiffer than TX4 and this will provide better support both on your hikes and Via Ferrata climbs. TX5 was made for Via Ferrata and with this in mind, the sole will force you (is rigid) to stay on the tip of your toes (it is how we rock climb) which is good. I find myself very well with the TX4 but as you know, I have both and if I ever have to approach for more than 200m elevation gain on rough terrain then for sure I will go with the TX5 not the TX4. If I was you and this is what you want to go with, I will buy it. Now, pay attention. If you hike more than Via Ferrata in a 80/20 ratio for example and if the hikes are long and aggressive with high elevation gains then is best to buy the shoe for that and go with it on Via Ferrata as well if you don't mostly attack Level D and Level E overhangs and verticals (on Via Ferrata).

Thank you Sean!

I presume you refer to La Sportiva Aequilibrium St GTX. It aims at providing increased comfort for beginners. Will also try to accommodate as many situations possible. The limitation? Is not a technical shoe. What makes a shoe technical? The mountaineering boot has the hard sole, fits well on crampons, provides a lot of protection. A rock climbing shoe has the specialsed design and the rubber that will stick to the rock and aid the climber. La Sportiva TX4 is technical. It aims to help in complex situations but will not be as comfortable or as versatile as Aequilibrium. Be advised. I never tried Aequilibrium. If I get to do it I will return and let you know. But if I were to buy something for me I will get it in case I want something that could take me through a mix of terrain and situations that don't require life altering moments. Will I feel protected? No. I will take them when I go for a city break and expect to end up somewhere high serendipitously. Carrying three types of boots is not feasible but having these ones with me will do it. I see them as a replacement to my city shoes (Salomon x ultra GTX Mid). They definitely do better. I always wear Salomon x ultra mid GTX. With them if I leave for a walk in Venice and end up in the Alps on a trail will do just fine. Aequilibrium will do better (in my opinion). Will they help you on a Level D Via Ferrata? From my wall climbing and Via Ferrata experience I recognise that the more technical a shoe the better the aid and when you are a beginner you need most of the help that you can get. I think Aequilibrium is versatile and will cover a wide spectrum of situations. But is not technical.

@@JetSetYourself Thanks for the in depth reply, I went to the shop, tried a few boots and I ended up buying these Aequlibriums ST mainly because these were the only ones that were good for me and had the size I need (EU48) I wasn't able to try tx4 because they don't have them in my size anywhere here and I want to try boots out before purchasing. I hope that they will work.

You did very well. I'm confident they will serve you right. I always try them in the shop. Only if I know the brand and am confident the size is right I venture to buying a different product. I've seen the other comment. I will need time before replying.