Gear

OK I am not signalling the end of summer – but have found some good deals on winter boots – clear out for the new winter stock I guess!

I am considering replacing my boots, - I just don’t get on with Scarpa, but love Meindl – I have Burma pros plus Maines for summer.

Looking at the Meindl range – although they are so comfortable – they only appear to go to B1, I would prefer another pair of B2, and have found a good deal on the La Sportiva Trango S Evo GTX  - which are shown as B2, and light weight, they can also take the G12 Newmatic. (Don’t you just want to spell that pneumatic!)

They appear a little flexible for B2 to me – but are described as stiff fore-and-aft for German, but flexible sideways for French – so do sound ideal.

Has anyone tried these for Scottish winter walking? – not climbing really – so won’t be belaying for any time.

These just sound too perfect - light weight, B2, take G12 Newmatics, flexible ankle for French, stiff lateral for German – so good for American as well. (I guess we all end up walking mixed American rather than using a “perfect” F or G!)

If the above is correct – my only concern would be the warmth

Any practical experience with the La Sportiva Trango S Evo GTX  anyone?

BB 

BB,

are you sure that you can't get a Meindl model to suit? In their own grading, the Burmas are a "B" for : - demanding hikes in the low level mountains - easy trekking trips in the major mountain ranges ot the world

and they have boots going up to "D" :

- fully crampon compatible boots

Such as the Air Revolution 9 and the Matterhorn Extreme GTX. Can anyone confirm the crampon compatability grading of these?

I love Meindl too and use the Island Pro (B/C) for heavier hiking - the similarly graded Himalaya looks like it should take a step-in crampon.

Look in the Klassiker range here : http://www.meindl.de/english/ 

My La Sportiva Trango’s

will be starting their 3rd winter season this year & have performed well for me when climbing on mixed ground, but a bit of a waste of money if you just plan to walk on non technical ground. They are too flexible for vertical winter climbing thou, I prefer my Salomon Pro Ice for long periods of front pointing.

Good luck, Dave.

Thanks John,

I know they are in the full range - but in the UK I cannot find anywhere local that does much more than the "lower end" approach shoes through to B1 boots.

I would rather try then buy, If I can be assured of a good fit etc then web purchase is fine - but with boots - I spend (too much) time in the shop trying the fit before I buy.

Local can be Glasgow - Edinburgh - Stirling shopping centres, or Manchester - Warrington shopping centres - (not weekend or day time), as I live in Scotland but travel to Warrington most weeks for work.

Meindl don't make it clear what their boot B1 - B3 grades are; but I guess B = B0, B/C = B1, C = B2, and D = B3 

BB 

Dave,

Could you re-publish that link please? - it doesn't appear to work for me.

When you say a waste of money on non-techy ground - is it that they don't really work or that £135/£170 or so is better spent on different boots?

Other than pure climbing, how are they for steep slopes whilst walking when you really need to front point/mix for an hour or so?

Do you find them cold?

BB

BB

there is a dealer search function on the Meindl site and if you choose GB / Scotland you get a pretty long list of possibilities... perhaps a few phone calls might help.

Trango’s are a very lightweight boot & designed for technical climbing on rock & mixed ground. If you are after some boots for general winter walking only a halfwit or someone with a strong case would argue against a pair of Manta’s.

Beware... the Mantas got stiffer in recent years and have caused some people grief.

Nope; Scarpas don't fit my girly feet (hint hint).

As for sizing, when I tried them on they appeared slightly looser than Meindl - I was wearing my Maines when I called in to try the sportivas whilst off for a short walk in the Campsies. (Drive down to Glasgow - do the shopping -  swift walk on the way home - ideal!)

BB

I wore them in the alps this summer and found they great, they didn't flex on steep ground but are much lighter than B3 boots (690 g for size 8) and were comfortable to wear all day long including walk ins. They don't have much insulation but I wore warm socks and never feel the cold anyway.

    Hi blonde Bimbo

                             Did you get a pair of Trango`s and if so what do you think of them? I`ve just bought a pair complete with a pair of Grivel Airtech`s and now just cant wait for the snow.....if we get any haha ! They feel very comfortable straight from the box although i haven`t had a chance to get out with them yet!!

Martin

I have a pair of the Trangos and really like them. A few thoughts...

The Good:

• Pretty stiff, great on uneven ground and fine for basic crampon use.
• Nice and light for normal walking.
• Very versatile. I use mine for summer coastpath walks, scrambling and winter walking. Would be happy climbing mod/diff mountain routes in them as the sole is pretty sticky and has a good edge.
• Fit my feet well, lace system seems to do the business for me.
• Good rand to stop you kicking hell out of the front of your shiny new boots!

The Bad:

• Bit dubious of the B2 rating. Modest crampon use and snow plods is no problem but mine feel pretty flexy compared to most other B2 boots I have got my hands on.
• Sweaty feet in summer. Not a major problem but definately not as breathable as my old leather boots.
• Sole may wear quicker than some as it is quite soft and sticky rubber.

The Ugly:

• Look a bit of a tool in bright blue boots and shorts. Easily resolved with mud.

Great multipurpose boot, would definately buy again. For what it's worth mine are used mostly for scrambles and easy climbs or yomping around Dartmoor. I have a set of Superfeet footbeds in them which adds to the pleasure!

 Cheers.

I just got some very very sexy Garmonts super lightweight and seem to be the dogs danglies can't wait for the white stuff.

Planet fear are doing some good deals on boots at the mo 60% off

Hi Guys,

No I didn’t go for the Trango’s  - I had a really good look at them and just felt they were not stiff enough. I agree with many of the posters here perhaps B1.5 at best – but really more like soft B1s (Can we have B0.975’s????).

I went in George Fishers and basically tried every likely boot until I wasn’t happy with them – except the ASOLO Titan GV5 – which as it happens were end of line in the “Old style” i.e. last years colours – which happened to fit me better than the newer ones! – So some discount as well!!

Unfortunately I haven’t used them in anger yet – partially because of the lack of snow but more so that my Mother-in-law was taken into hospital, and after just a couple of weeks died in the early hours of Wednesday a few weeks ago, so with sorting that out and the funeral we haven’t had the time to go walking anywhere the new boots can be tested (or inclination just yet).

But we will!

Suffice to say after trying a few TISOs, Cotswolds, and other shops – the real feeling of service came from GOGF (Good-Old-George-Fishers!) – they really spent the time and were so interested in getting me the most suitable boots.

(I think at this point I should be saying a whole load of disclaimers “I have no connection with the company”, “ I have received no financial incentive” (unfortunately) “stairs can go down as well as up” etc etc.)

BB

Been using Meindl Burma Pros for Scottish winter walking for 4 years with Grivel G10 crampons - work fine. Not really very stiff for climbing, but work a treat for walking - and great when the crampons comes off!

 Not sure its relavent - just thought you'd like to know!