Boots for Snow Climbs

[Randy Martin]

So I am looking to purchase boots for Spring snow climbs in Colorado but thinking that it would be nice if those same boots served well for colder climbs like Mt. Rainier that may be in the future. Uninsulated boots like Scarpa Triolet Pro GTX boots can be had for around $260 whereas insulated boots like La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX can handle both situations but at 2x the price. My initial thought is to go with something less expensive that will work well for Colorado snow climbs where insulation is less important and make sure I am all in on steeper snow/ice/glacier adventures before spilling twice the price.

Interested in the communities thoughts were you in this situation. Also interested in how often you have done a snow climb in lightly insulated boots and regretted it.

FYI, I already have warm winter boots for snowshoeing and so this is really looking at more technical (capable of use with a crampon) footwear.

[David M]

Depends on how cold your feet run. Mine run cold and I’ve used insulated mountaineering boots (Salewa pro guide) for both Rainier and spring snow with no regrets. Other buddies that are blessed with warmer feet have used uninsulated boots for those, but my feet would have been uncomfortably cold.

I don’t own uninsulated mountaineering boots but would probably get them for low-elevation summer mountaineering (i.e. Cascades).

[Lester Moore]

Uninsulated mountaineering boots are likely fine for late Spring and summer snow climbs in Colorado unless you have cold feet. If it’s an easy snow slope in mild weather, then even light hikers with strap-on crampons provide enough support. For steeper, icier or more sustained climbs, light mountain boots are ideal. If it’s early Spring (like now), I’d choose my double boots (insulated) for snowy peak climbs in Colorado. A big benefit of most mountain boots is the ability to use hybrid crampons – much quicker and easier to don and remove than strap-on’s, especially while wearing gloves. And most insulted mountain boots will accept step-in crampons.

For Rainier in summer, light mountaineering boots have been cool but tolerable for me in July in good weather. But it can get into the 20’s on the summit in summer, so insulated boots are not a bad option and many people choose to use them. I would at least get something that will accept a heel bail for using hybrid crampons.

[jared h]

might be too late to chime in, but i have used the Salewa Raven 2 throughout the Cascades spring-fall, and winters at lower elevations. plenty of room to wear really thick wool socks if i need…comfortable around 0 but have not used them lower yet so not sure how low i can go. also work well with semi-auto crampons. can usually get them on sale (mine were 220 from…maybe wilderness exchange?

[Christopher S]

If you want stiff soled and low weight its pretty hard to beat Mammuts Nordwand stuff. They claim insulated.

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