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Scarpa SL X 2006 - First
Look
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Price:
£155.00
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Weight: 1656 grammes (pair size
43)
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Features 3/4
season boot with full grain Sherpa HS12 uppers, Performance
Flex mid-sole, Vibram M3 outsole, Cambrelle lining, new
360-degree ankle flex cuff, available in standard and wide
fit, B1 graded for crampon compatibility.
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Great build quality,
laterally stiff sole, ankle cuff works well.
Expensive and
relatively heavy.
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What's It For? The new 2006 version of the SL is an evolution
of a classic mountain walking boot aimed at users who want a stiff
sole for use in rocky terrain and with heavy packs. It's been brought
into the 21st century with the addition of the 360-degree flex ankle
cuff originally specced on Scarpa's technical mountaineering boots
but also used on last year's updated Manta M3.
Thankfully Scarpa has resisted the urge to add a Gore-Tex liner,
sticking with traditional leather uppers lined with high-wicking
Cambrelle fabric.
The Techy Bits The most significant change from last year's SL
M3 is the 360-degree flex ankle cuff which you can see in the pics -
it's the oval-shaped bit at around ankle bone cuff. It's there to
make the ankle area more flexible, particularly laterally - that's
good with crampons, but also more comfortable.
You also get the mini-speed lacing system used on the Manta which
saves some weight and a Performance Flex mid-sole unit for lateral
stability. Nowt else particularly radical.
How It Works The footwear industry's been moving in a
lightweight direction recently and initially the heavier SL was a bit
of a shock to the foot. It's a 21st Century take on a traditional,
full-on mountain boot. That means you get tough leather uppers and a
sole which gives reasonable lengthways flex combined with great
lateral stability and enough thickness to cushion your feet from
rough ground.
It all makes no sense whatsoever on typical moorland trails, but
hit rocky mountain terrain like the Lakes, Snowdonia or Scotland,
particularly with a heavy pack, and the SL starts to work. You can
stand on pointy bits of rock without feeling them and without the
sole folding or flexing and throwing you off balance.
The pay-off is increased weight compared to a lighter weight boot
and a certain clumsiness. To put that in perspective, the new boots
are around 300 grammes a pair lighter than their predecessors, but
still significantly heavier than the lightweight end of the
market.
Comfort's instantly good though and the flex ankle cuff gubbinses
genuinely work making for good comfort without losing support around
the ankle despite the high ankle cuff. Thankfully Scarpa has steered
clear of waterproof linings and the Cambrelle inner and leather outer
give enough water resistance and wicking comfort for genuine all-year
use.
The proven M3 Vibram sole works well on both rock and softer
ground and the lacing system is slick and easy to use though a
locking cleat at ankle level might have been nice.
What else? Fit is classic Scarpa, which means medium volume well
suited to the UK foot, but there's also a wider version available for
those who need it. And come winter you can strap on C1-graded
crampons with the sole feeling stiff enough to cope with a proper
winter mountain walking day, though not technical climbing or
front-pointing.
The Scarpa SL's been dragged into the 21st Century with the
addition of the nifty 360-degree flex ankle cuff. Bear in mind
though, that while it's significantly lighter than its predecessor,
it's still appreciably heavier and clumsier on the foot than the
latest lightweight boots.
We reckon it's ideal for those walkers looking for a traditional
stiff supportive sole unit for rocky mountain trails and backpacking
but without sacrificing comfort thanks largely to the cuff. Build
quality is classic Scarpa and the Lorica - artificial leather - cuff
on the Manta has been replaced with soft leather, we think.
We're also pleased to see that Scarpa has stuck with its proven
leather / Cambrelle combination giving good water resistance and
decent breathability and wicking for hot weather conditions.
All in all, it's a very successful update of a classic mountain
boot, very comfortable for the level of support it offers and a great
buy if that's what you're looking for and, of course, you have
Scarpa-shaped feet.
Know more or want to?
If you'd like to add your own experiences of this
product check out our user review system and post your opinions to
the world. If you have questions you can mail
us direct, ask
Richard Gear or try a posting to our
gear
forum.
