Reviews by User: heretic (2)

Background: I live in So. Cal., southern orange county up against the local mountains. I run fairly rocky and steep hardpackish trails, and also run when wet, I'm new to running in general, mostly only doing mountain biking prior to taking the running plunge. This is my first pair of trail running shoes, I was very concerned about stability and not tweaking an ankle, one reason I chose these. I'd say shoes have awesome stability good traction, and keep your foot dry. They also feel light and are fairly confidence inspiring on downhills. Padding is good, for my feet I've found on anything over 40 minutes I start to feel it more in my feet that I'd like to. That may just be because I'm running too flat footed, or because I'm not fully broken in yet. I've always had issues with blisters, amazingly I've had none with these shoes, fit is awesome requiring no break in time for me. For the type of mud we get where I'm at, these pack up quite badly, the tread spacing is narrow and doesn't clear. Even running the day after a decent rain, it's really too muddy for them. That may just be our flavor of mud. I'm really enjoying the running and right now I'm looking to purchase another pair of shoes with extreme mud shedding capabilities, and perhaps another pair geared toward longer runs like the La Sportiva Pikes Peak. To summarize: Pros: Awesome stability Awesome Fit Good traction Nice tough toebox, and roomy in toe area Zero blisters or hot spots No break in time for me, and my feet were noob and blister prone They feel light and agile Keep your feet dry Good padding, thick base Cons: Pack up with mud (at least where I live) Might need more padding for longer runs, may just be me

I agree with most of what others have said. Short version, great boot, minimal break in required, comfy, runs on the narrow side, stiff, great traction on rocks, replace the insole with at least a normal trail running shoe type insole. I put about 5 miles on these with a pack before taking them out on their first trip. I tend to be more prone to blisters and didn't get any on an 18 mile trek with 20lb pack. As far as I know I have normal width feet and I do notice that it's a bit on the narrow side as some have mentioned. Not narrow enough to cause me any issues. The insole that they come with I'd suggest throwing out though don't replace it with green feet or similar bulky insert. All it needs is a normal insole as is found in like a trail running shoe. I took the insoles from my la sportiva trail shoes and put them in they work perfect, w/o all the bulk that the other type of insole would add. I don't see how anyone could even have the boot still fit if they added one of those soles, but I guess they have. Anyway if they'd just put a regular insole into these with a bit of padding vs the paper thin no shock one that's in them it'd be fine. I did an 18 mile hike with about a 20lb pack on my first major trek, and my knees were very sensitive and beat up feeling the next day. After adding the trail running shoe insoles it was fine for the same length trip afterwards. Boots have been waterproof for me so far but I've done nothing more than gentle stream crossings. They've been plenty warm for me so far down to 40 degrees with expedition super wool type socks, they are a little bit on the hot side for warmer weather due to the snug fit and waterproofing I assume. It's very easy to really snug this down around your ankle if you like to they have great support. I"m using them for normal hiking boots because I'm usually climbing up some peak as the goal, and was rather shocked at how quickly they're wearing so far, but that is the price for such light boots I guess. I've used them fine with stubai ultralight universal crampons they worked great. My foot is size 10 I've never worn anything but a 10 or equivalent in euro the 43.5s fit me great. I suggest you checout the chart on la sportivas site for fitting.