Backside Line
The La Sportiva Spire GTX are an all-around wonderful choose for sturdiness, assist, and weather-resistance. Though they’re on the heavier facet, their strong supplies make up for the load – since these sneakers are prone to have an extended lifespan. With their GORE-TEX membrane, they repel water seamlessly and excel at sustaining their breathability in contrast to many different waterproof sneakers in our lineup.
General, the La Sportiva’s consolation is determined by the form of your foot and your choice in assist options. These sneakers run a couple of half measurement small and are barely narrower. Additionally they are fairly stiff and lack a responsive and soft sole, require an extended break-in interval, and have the next heel-to-toe drop with restricted floor really feel. When our gear analyst took them on their first hike up Mount Saint Helena within the Mayacamas Mountains, she discovered that her ft began to get sore after about 5 miles.
For extra top-performing footwear picks, try the remainder of our suggestions in our gear information of the very best ladies’s climbing sneakers.
How We Examined
We examined these sneakers whereas climbing within the Mayacamas Mountains in Northern California. Discipline testing included listening to consolation, assist, traction and sturdiness whereas climbing steep uphill and downhills and trekking over rocky terrain. This pair was subjected to a water submersion check and we additionally weighed them to match it to each the marketed weight and in addition the weights of different sneakers in our lineup.
Fast Specs
Girls’s La Sportiva Spire GTX
Most Sturdy & Supportive Mountaineering Sneakers
CleverHiker Ranking:
77.5/100
Worth:
$209
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. 10.2 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop:
6 mm
Professionals
- Superior traction
- Above-average assist
- Distinctive sturdiness
- Decently breathable for waterproof sneakers
- Cleaner look than different burly climbing sneakers
Cons
- Costly
- On the heavier facet
- Some break-in required
- A bit stiff
Consolation
The La Sportiva Spires supply a snug match for these with slender ft and ankles. Our gear analyst discovered them to be a bit free and needed to rethread the laces via one of many high eyelets to provide it a snugger match.
The footbed of those sneakers feels very agency and stiff. This wasn’t essentially uncomfortable, however it did require a extra devoted break-in interval throughout testing. The La Sportivas have a extra reasonable heel-to-drop at 6 mm, which is a good possibility for these preferring footwear with extra assist than a zero drop however lower than these increased 12-14 mm drops.
Traction
Boasting Vibram outsoles for superior grip and sturdiness, in addition to an Impression Brake System with multi-directional lugs for higher slip-resistance and stability, the La Sportiva Spires are a superb alternative when traction is of utmost significance. When climbing on rocky terrain, steep uphills and scree-like downhills, we felt assured of their efficiency.
Nevertheless, when moist or slippery circumstances got here into play whereas scrambling over boulders and rocks, the tread slipped extra simply than we’d have anticipated.
General, we appreciated the traction. When mixed with their streamlined and cushty match, these sneakers are a superb choice to really feel assured on the path.
Weight
Whereas the La Sportiva Spires are usually not fairly as heavy as another choices in our lineup, they nonetheless are available at round 1 pound 10 ounces.
The La Sportivas really feel heavier in your ft than most so that they received’t attraction to ultralight backpacker. That being stated, their sturdiness makes up for the additional weight.
Sturdiness
That includes abrasion-resistant higher mesh, a hearty toe bumper, Vibram rubber, GORE-TEX and an Ortholite insole, the La Sportiva Spire climbing sneakers encompass a number of the highest high quality supplies in the marketplace. Throughout testing within the discipline, we encountered free rock, boulders, and pokey bushes. But, there have been no indicators of damage after placing mile after mile on these sneakers. Even the laces proved to be exceptionally sturdy and cushty over a dozen miles a day.
As talked about above, with these added sturdiness options comes a rise in weight. Whereas this can be a disadvantage for some hikers, it is very important contemplate selecting sneakers that can stand up to the calls for of the terrain and surroundings that you simply plan to make use of them in.
Climate Resistance
The weatherproofing tech in these sneakers repells water nonetheless providing profound breathability. This was true when testing the La Sportiva Spire on lengthy treks within the Mayacamas – our ft stayed snug and dry. This was a stark distinction in comparison with our expertise in different waterproof sneakers.
In contrast to leather-based and different supplies, the uppers of the La Sportivas repel water effortlessly – any moisture instantly rolls and beads off of the sneakers on impression.
Ought to You Purchase the KEEN Targhee IV WP?
The La Sportiva Spire GTX climbing sneakers are a superb possibility for these with slender ft, who prioritize sturdiness over a delicate trip and who’re in want of the very best degree of waterproofing with unprecedented breathability. Though these sneakers come at a excessive worth level, they’re worthy of consideration if you’re available in the market for a long-lasting, reliable and resilient shoe.
What Different Girls’s Mountaineering Sneakers Ought to You Contemplate?
For those who admire the La Sportiva Spire GTX’s sturdiness and slimmer match, however aren’t fairly certain that that is the precise shoe for you, then we propose that you simply confer with our ladies’s climbing sneakers gear information for our different high suggestions.
Salomon X Extremely 4 Low Assessment: These Salomons are a superb possibility that compete with La Sportiva’s breathability and sturdiness. Nevertheless, they’re lighter in weight, waterproof (as a substitute of waterproof), extra versatile with considerably much less break-in time required and are available at a cheaper price level. Whereas the quick-lace system might really feel a bit clunky for some, this shoe remains to be one in every of our gear analyst’s favourite contenders in our lineup.
Girls’s Merrell MQM 3: This Merrell mannequin comes with a slimmer heel and opens to a wider toe-box for many who really feel that the La Sportivas are a bit constricting. In comparison with the La Sportiva Spires, these Merrell sneakers are lighter in weight, lack waterproofing, require much less break-in time and are available at a comparatively extra budget-friendly worth. Nevertheless, the Spires will finally present probably the most dependable traction and climate resistance.
Oboz Sawtooth X WP Assessment: These are an amazing possibility to contemplate for a decrease quantity profile. Whereas the Spires are undoubtedly higher with regard to waterproofing and breathability, the Oboz additionally present aggressive traction for a wide range of terrains.
