Comparison Review: Summer, Hiking, Alps. 2018 Comparison of Lightweight Alpine Boots for Rocky Conditions

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Comparison of trekking shoes : NORTH FACE , La Sportiva , LOWA

Written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department

On the previous page, we introduced the rankings of the compared models, a list of their ratings and specifications, and our recommendations based on that. From here, we will explain the criteria used in the ratings and why we came to those ratings

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Detailed review of each item
summary
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Detailed review of each item

Sole hardness and grip

Backpacking and (light) alpine models require soles that are hard enough to withstand heavy loads and adapt to harsh terrain. With soft soles, the weight of your gear puts strain on the soles of your feet every time you walk or the terrain changes, resulting in noticeable fatigue. The grip of the sole is also important, ensuring a smooth transition from landing to pushing off

First, the hardness of the sole is judged simply by how much the sole bends when you put your weight on the hiking boots. The biggest difference between light alpine boots and trekking shoes is the shank (core material) in the sole. Generally, whether a sole is hard or soft refers to whether it has a shank or not, or the material of the shank, and not the quality of the sole itself

Of the three shoes reviewed, the TNF Verbella Light Packer III felt to have the softest sole, but it wasn't significantly softer than the other two. It felt fairly stiff, but it did bend when a certain amount of force was applied. The upper material also seemed to have a significant impact. The Verbella Light Packer III uses ballistic mesh, the Cevedarle Pro uses suede leather, and the Trango Tower uses honeycomb guard fabric. However, the upper felt the softest on the Cevedarle Pro, followed by the Verbella Light Packer III, and the stiffest on the Trango Tower. This is just my own speculation, but the Verbella Light Packer III has a soft shank, or a shank in only limited areas, which compensates for the stiffness of the upper material. The Cevedarle Pro has a stiffer shank, or a shank in a wider area, which compensates for the softness of the upper material. The Trango Tower has a stiffer shank, or perhaps a wider shank, and the stiffness of the upper material makes it even stronger. At this point, I feel the urge to slice all three pairs, but for various reasons, I will refrain from doing so (lol)

Next, let's talk about grip. All three pairs of shoes reviewed this time use Vibram soles, but none of them have the same sole pattern, and each manufacturer has designed them with weight, durability, and the balance with the midsole in mind

Comparing sole patterns. From left: Rover, Sportiva, and The North Face

Again, I didn't feel a big difference, but the "Impact Brake System" installed in the Trango Tower gives me an outstanding sense of security, as if the entire sole of my foot, from toe to heel, is glued to the rocks. The block pattern, arranged in staggered steps, may seem distorted at first glance, but I always felt traction on climbs, and the braking power that allowed me to stop exactly where I wanted to place my feet on descents was impressive

This can also be said for the Cevedale Pro, but because the toes can move freely, subtle pressure is transmitted to the soles of the feet, which seems to lead to slight differences in grip. The Verbella Light Packer III has a deep toe spring (curvature in the toe area), which means the contact area between the sole and the ground (terrain) is narrow, and I felt that the grip was lacking

Stability (support)

Most hiking boots and trekking shoes are designed to cover the area from above the ankle down to the shin. This is done to improve waterproofing and durability and prevent ankle pain, but mid-cut and high-cut models often compromise ease of walking. Backpacking boots and light alpine boots are designed to protect the entire foot from external shocks and pressure in difficult terrain, rather than ease of walking, and to provide firm support (hold) to the ankle to stabilize a series of movements such as landing and pushing off. Recently, many models have been released that maintain support while improving walkability and comfort through the use of flexible materials in the uppers and tongues and unique manufacturer innovations, and future innovations are attracting attention

From left: The North Face, Sportiva, and Rover. Stability varies depending on the fit and holding power from the heel to above the ankle

Well, to get straight to the point, out of the three pairs, the Verbella Light Packer III had the weakest (non-existent) support. As it's the only mid-cut model, it's only natural, but I also feel like it's a bit unfair to compare it to the two high-cut models, given the difference in categories between backpacking and light alpine models. Comparing the Chevedale Pro and Trango Tower, the Trango Tower offered the strongest overall support, staying firmly in place from the ankle to the sole and toes once you've tightened the laces, which seems like it would be effective when treading rocky terrain or other difficult terrain

On the other hand, the Cevedale Pro uses unique features such as "X Racing," "C4 Tongue," and "Flexfit Synchro" to maximize the fit of the entire foot, providing a good balance of support and comfort, so even when you tighten the laces, you won't feel like your feet are too tight

Comfort

The comfort required of hiking boots encompasses a wide range of factors, including weight and ease of walking, as well as waterproofing, internal moisture management, cushioned insoles, and a comfortable fit thanks to the upper and tongue. However, light alpine and backpacking models are designed for walking on rocky ridges and carrying heavy loads, and are therefore inherently stiff soles and deep cuts designed to support the ankles. At first glance, these may seem a little far from comfortable. However, looking at recent hiking boots, manufacturers have incorporated various innovations to improve comfort, such as the use of flexible materials in parts of the upper to hold the ankle while increasing freedom of movement. Examples of this are the Cevedale Pro's "FlexFit Synchro" and the Trango Tower's "3D Flex System." I felt that the Trango Tower was slightly less flexible (stiffer), but this is also a matter of personal preference

Also, in terms of comfort, the "I-Lock" and "X-Racing" features on the Cevedale Pro are noteworthy. "I-Lock" prevents the laces from loosening by locking them, and "X-Racing" prevents the tongue from slipping from the center of the foot. Naturally, these features prevent the laces from loosening and maintain a good fit, but they also eliminate the hassle of having to retighten your laces when climbing rocky terrain or other difficult terrain

In terms of weight and ease of walking, the Verbella Light Packer III is by far the best. The weight is as shown in the numbers, but I felt that it had the deepest toe spring of the three pairs, making for smoother walking and providing better cushioning in the midsole

durability

Here, I would like to examine rigidity and durability, but since the testing period was not long, I decided to judge based on the materials and construction. First, regarding the upper material, each of the three pairs is made of a different material: suede leather, leather + abrasion-resistant strong fabric, and ballistic nylon + suede leather. At first glance, leather (including suede) seems stronger, but ballistic nylon (DuPont: five times stronger than nylon) is an extremely strong fabric developed for military use, with excellent waterproofing, abrasion resistance, and heat resistance. It is also used in bulletproof vests. Furthermore, while the honeycomb-structured abrasion-resistant strong fabric used in the Trango Tower is also nylon, considering that it has been changed from the Trango S Evo's Cordura nylon (Invista: seven times stronger than nylon), it is likely a stronger material. The fabric is so sturdy that it makes me wonder if it might be more durable than leather, but testing this would require a long period of time, so I will leave it out of this review. In terms of construction, all three pairs are made with rand rubber and there doesn't seem to be much difference, but the Verbella Light Packer III is the only one that has rubber only on the front part from the arch to the toe, and the area around the heel is made of plastic, which is concerning. Also, as mentioned in the evaluation results, the Trango Tower has double rubber on the toe area, which seems to contribute to improving the durability of the toe area, which is the area that is most likely to be hit

Compatibility with crampons

Finally, I'll examine compatibility with crampons. Even in summer, snowfields remain on the flatlands at the base of the mountain, making crampons essential for safe progression. Incidentally, the crampons I own are Grivel Air Tech Automatic SP models, compatible with hiking boots with toe and heel welts. In the summer, I use them as semi-one-touch crampons by replacing the bails (metal fittings on the toe). All three pairs of boots reviewed here have heel welts and are advertised as semi-one-touch crampon-compatible models, so they can be attached, but compatibility is an issue. It's important that the sole and crampon shape fit snugly, especially at the toe and heel. Just to be clear, this test was performed while wearing the boots and putting my weight on them, with the bands tightened as tightly as possible. Also, please note that this test is based on compatibility with the crampons I currently own and is based on the three pairs reviewed; it is not intended to be a judgment on the quality of the boots themselves

Well, there were no issues with the heel fit on all three pairs, but there were some slight differences in the toe fit. In order of smallest difference, it was Trango Tower < Chevedale Pro < Verbella Light Packer III. As mentioned in the evaluation results, the Verbella Light Packer III has a deep toe spring, so gaps will form no matter what you do. It is secured with a band so it won't come off easily, but it's still a concern

Verbella Light Packer III x Grivel Air Tech Automatic SP

The Trango Tower boots have the smallest gaps and are the best match, and the gaps in the arch area are also small, so I think they are close to being the best match for the crampons I own. In any case, there is no guarantee, but it is always better to have as few doubts and uncertainties as possible when it comes to equipment that you are entrusting your life to

Sportiva Trango Tower x Grivel Airtech Automatic SP

Rover Cevedale Pro GT x Grivel Airtech Automatic SP

summary

The item I reviewed this time that I felt best balanced was the Sportiva Trango Tower. It received high marks in four categories: sole stiffness and grip, ankle support, durability, and compatibility with crampons. The only low score was for comfort, but that's my own judgment based on the limited number of three pairs I reviewed; different people's impressions may differ. The stability on rocky terrain was excellent, and I recommend them to anyone planning to climb the Hotaka mountain range or Mount Tsurugi this summer. The Chevedare Pro was perhaps the most all-around shoe. Its high level of rigidity and flexibility made it suitable for any mountain climb. Although in a slightly different category, the Verbella Light Packer III received high marks for its weight and walkability. Each shoe reviewed has its own unique characteristics and strengths, and your choice will likely depend on what you're looking for in a shoe

Hiroaki Saito

I live in Saitama Prefecture. I was captivated by the Kurobe Gorge Shimono Corridor, and after turning 30, I got into mountain climbing, but I'm still developing my passion. Drawing on my natural curiosity and spirit of inquiry, I try to get into the mountains whenever I have time to make up for my lack of experience. I have a strong desire for material things, and I make impulse purchases without thinking about the consequences, which leads to ups and downs in my days. I'll share the appeal of gear through my trial and error

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Detailed review of each item

Sole hardness and grip

Stability (support)

Comfort

durability

Compatibility with crampons

summary

We are looking for reviewers

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