Scarpa SL M3

Mad Bob
Reviewed: 25 September 2009

RUBBISH SHOCK ABSORBENCY IN SOLE!

Comfortable out of the box (<10 miles), very waterproof, good support, great on rough ground, no friction blisters.

Very heavy, rubbish insole, no shock absorbency in sole, rivets for eyelets corrode very quickly.

I have had a pair for over two years and my feet always get uncomfortable after anything over 10 miles in them (never had problem with other boots). The lack of shock absorbency completely trashed my feet with severe blisters deep inside my heals at the point of impact and dead nerves in my right forefoot after the "Vale of Mobray" road section of the coast to coast. A decent sorbothane insole might help (but size your boot with the insole in place as I don't have space to fit one). I have also noticed that the washers that prevent the lace eyelets pulling out are badly corroded (should have used S/Steal or brass). Should be a much better boot at this price!

Neddy
Reviewed: 08 March 2009

DO BUY THESE BOOTS

Great support around the ankle,can't feel any sharp rocks through the sole,don't really need breaking in.

These boots scuff easily but you don't want to be seen out in new boots anyway.

Best boots I've owned as they were comfy from the box,very waterproof(aqueous wax used).Great for the lakes and other rocky environments,never had a single blister even on long trips.

brian lathaen
Reviewed: 06 January 2009

VERY GOOD BOOT

AR
Reviewed: 12 September 2008

PROVED TO BE RELIABLE

Good support above the heel. Ankle flex has worked really well when going up steep climbs. More comfortable than expected. Little breaking-in required (for me anyway).

Sole is hard, and the hard ground pounding goes right into the feet. Overcame this to a large extent by replacing the insoles (which were rubbish - for me anyway). Sole is not as grippy as I would have liked. The extra ankle flex does make it less supportive, but is a trade off for the freedom of movement, especially uphill.

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of space my feet had inside(went for the wider fitting version), and also the lack of breaking in, no blisters at all. They have looked after my feet on 3 major treks/hols(coast-2-coast, Simien mts - Ethiopia, 2 weeks in the Lakes doing the 38 highest peaks), and I have to say that I have come to rely on them. They are on the heavy side, in comparison to others, but I have to say that when on my feet, I don't really notice. Shopping around can reduce the rrp price.

Bob Dob
Reviewed: 30 April 2008

THE OLD DESIGN WAS MUCH BETTER

Quality materials and build

The ankle flex - why did Scarpa have to change an already classic design?

These have the same great build quality of the old SLs but the increased flex in the design means I now occasionally turn my ankle.

The old SLs served me very well and for many years. If you can find a pair, buy them.