Scarpa SL Boot
Classic mountain-walking boot from the big S ranch
Posted: 13 January 2001
by Jon
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Scarpa SL Boot
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Price:
£134.99
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Weight: 1950g (size 43)
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Features 2.8mm
water resistant HS12 Sherpa leather, Minispeed lace system,
'E.last lace hooks', Scarpa Vibram M3 sole with 'Ultralight'
insert, Performance Flex mid-sole, Cambrelle
lining.
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Fit medium width, medium volume -
classic UK foot shape. Also available in extra wide fitting
for extra wide feet
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Siffness (1 - 5 where
1 is floppy and 5 rigid) - 4
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Crampon Grade: B1
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Good for: mountain
walking, backpacking with heavy loads on rough ground,
crampon use on non-technical ground Okay for
scrambling, rambling, Not much cop at fast, light
movement, technical climbing.
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The SL is Scarpa's classic three-four season mountain boot and was
extensively jazzed up last year with a reshape for increased comfort
and a new lacing system. They feel reassuringly tough with the thick
HS12 leather upper seeming stiff out of the box, but still breaking
in easily and quickly. A rubber rand ups durability in snow and on
rocky terrain.
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Classic leather boot - lack of
waterproof lining
improves breathability in hot conditions
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Well-designed internal padding makes them extremely comfortable
for my broadish UK foot shape and Scarpa's Cambrelle lining does an
excellent job of wicking and absorbing excess water. An impromptu
moment when a stream was invited to join foot and socks proved that
convincingly - by the end of the day, feet were damp rather than
sopping as they should have been.
The stiff, grippy Vibram sole, in combination with the supportive
upper makes these an ideal UK mountain walking boot and they'll also
take a strap-on crampon. Good comfort and support with heavy loads
and on rocky ground, but not so clever on lowland footpaths, where
they really are overkill. Lateral stiffness is good enough to use the
side of the foot on moderate holds when scrambling and again aids
stability on rocky ground.
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Chunky, effective grip from
Vibram M3 sole.
Ultralight insert lowers weight and ups
cushioning performance
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Scarpa made a lot of noise about the SL's trick lacing system when
the boot was launched, in particular the neat little extendable
E.last' lace hooks which are supposed to increase comfort by allowing
more ankle flex under pressure. Do they work? To be honest, the
effect isn't noticeable and it's enough that the fundamentals of the
boot are spot on. One other point about the lacing system - the
lower, sculped lace hooks make for quick tensioning, but beware of
losing the stiff bit at the end of your laces, without it,
re-threading through the snug holes will be a nightmare, think
camels...
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Verdict: Excellent, if slightly
heavy, 3-4 season mountain walking boot that should give
years of reliable service if you favour the full, sturdy,
supportive approach to things. There are lighter options -
one is the new Super Trek M3 from Scarpa themselves - but if
you want a boot for all year round, non-technical mountain
use that will take a C1 crampon, these are a great choice.
Nice one Mr Scarpa
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Performance
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Value
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March me over to the Scarpa
UK web site...
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Pushed for time:
Classic 3-4 season mountain walking boots from Scarpa.
Great build quality, excellent support from the stiff sole
and usual Scarpa fit and comfort (if your feet fit them).
Weird new lacing cleats at top seem neither here or there
and don't have a dramatic impact, but the overall rightness
of the boot makes it all a bit academic.
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