Scarpa Mirage GTX GSB - Quick
Look
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Price:
£165
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Weight: 1648 grammes (pair size
43)
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Features:
B2-graded mountain boot with GSB crampon compatibility, DL
last, L-Tech / suede upper, Gore-Tex lining, rubber rand for
protectiion, Vibram Jorasse GSB sole with EVA and PU
cushioned inserts.
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What's It For?
Scarpa sums up the Mirage as a 'bells and whistles alternative to
the classic Manta'. It's basically intended as a mountain boot for
use on days when you'll be wearing crampons for extended periods of
time for winter mountain walking, glacier walking and easier alpine
and British winter climbs.
The two big differences over the Manta are significantly reduced
weight and compatibility with the GSB crampon system, which matches a
slot in the front of the boot's sole with a prong on the crampon for
a simple but very secure front attachment.
The Techy Bits
We haven't tested a GSB boot before, but it's an interesting
system designed to be used with Grivel GSB crampons - Scarpa suggests
the Grivel Air Tech as the best match for the Mirage.
With GSB, a slot - above - in the sole of the boot reinforced with
steel, mates with a prong on the front of the crampon to give a
secure front attachment point. The rear attachment is classic snap-on
heel bail to provide tension.
The system means there's no protruding metal work at the front of
the boot which could catch on, for example, rocks. It's also lighter
and more compact than other systems. Grivel says that in practice
there are no issues with the slot in the boot icing up.
The rest of the boot is more conventional, but the key point for
anyone looking at the Mirage as an alternative to the Manta, is the
suede / L-Tech upper with Gore-Tex liner which, together with the
lighter Jorasses sole unit with its EVA padding, saves a hefty 250
grammes per pair over the Manta.
How It Performs
We haven't had the chance to use the Mirage GTX with crampons yet,
but what we can tell you is that the boot feels incredibly light and
comfortable for a full-on winter boot.
We've always found the Manta and its mate the SL a bit heavy and
clumpy, the Mirage does away with that at a stroke. The synthetic and
suede uppers save some of the 125 grammes per boot, with other
savings coming from the lighter sole unit which uses EVA for a nice,
cushioned feel on harder ground.
Fit is based on Scarpa's alpine boots, with a technical but
comfortable bias and there's just about enough of a rocker on the
sole unit to make walking feel natural.
We can't tell you much beyond that at the moment, but we'd happily
strap the crampons on tomorrow and trust the Mirage to do the job
above the snowline and with minimal fuss.
The Manta's become a bit of a UK winter classic, but unless
you're irretrievably wedded to the idea of a full leather upper, the
Mirage makes a lot of sense. For the same price you're getting a
significantly lighter boot with a waterproof Gore-Tex liner and the
GSB system.
The Manta's upper might be tougher in the long run, but the hefty
rubber rand on the Mirage should give decent protection too. The
Mirage may lack the M4 Tech's 360-degree ankle mobility, but we don't
think that's a major issue and we'd opt for the reduced fatigue
levels and nimbler feel of a lighter boot given the choice.
More information once we've had a chance to use these a bit more.
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Light and comfortable, GSB crampon compatible, good build
quality.
Possibly not as durable long term as leather, no 360-degree
ankle.
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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.
ptc*
