[A genuine, self-funded review] From the countryside to the great kilette, nothing scares you. The LA SPORTIVA AEQUILIBRIUM ST GTX transcends the boundaries of mountain boots
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
LA SPORTIVA is a long-established Italian outdoor shoe manufacturer that remains one of the top brands in all genres it handles, including mountaineering, climbing, trail running, and skimo. While that deserves praise, the "true awesomeness" I feel about Sportiva every day is that they are never satisfied with the status quo, are not afraid to break existing values, and never stop taking on new challenges.
It's been six years since a review of the Trango Cube GTX . Reading it now, I realize it was a little over the top, but regardless of whether it was good or bad, I think it at least shows that they've been constantly exploring new forms of outdoor shoes for a long time.
Sportiva's new mountain boots the AEQUILIBRIUM ST GTX , exude a strong scent of innovation that seems to push the new style of lightweight mountain boots that they brilliantly pioneered with the Trango Cube seven years ago to an even higher level.
These mountain boots are like trekking boots, lightweight and easy to move sideways, but also like alpine boots, sturdy and stable on rocky and snowy terrain. They're a completely new type of authentic mountaineering boot, and even I find myself wondering what I'm talking about. I got them as soon as they were released, full of high hopes, the same as I've had since the Trango Cube. This time, I actually camped in a tent on the snow-covered Mt. Myoko with a load of around 20kg, and hiked the mountains of Okuchichibu, so I'd like to share my review right away
table of contents
Key Features of LA SPORTIVA AEQUILIBRIUM ST GTX
Recommended points
- A snug fit that wraps around the entire foot
- Rugged yet light
- Perfect balance of flexibility and support around the ankle
- A sturdy sole that can be used with crampons for peace of mind on rocky terrain
- An outsole that provides stable grip from landing to kicking off
Points of interest
- Shoelaces loosen easily
- It is easy to slip on wet rocks and tree roots
- Expensive price
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | LA SPORTIVA AEQUILIBRIUM ST GTX |
|---|---|
| weight | 659g (EU size 43, measured per shoe) |
| upper |
|
| Midsole |
|
| Outsole |
|
| Waterproof and breathable | GORE-TEX® Performance Comfort |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| grip | ★★★★☆ |
| Robustness | ★★★★☆ |
| stability | ★★★★☆ |
| Propulsive force | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed Review
Easy to walk in! Reason 1: Upper that provides a comfortable fit and flexibility around the ankle
The exterior features the brand's signature high-contrast black and yellow color scheme, with a fine geometric pattern that gives it a very high-tech feel (photo below)
The upper, made entirely from lightweight yet durable synthetic fiber, is softer than I expected, and combined with the moderate cushioning on the inside, tightening the laces gave me a comfortable fit that seemed to encase the entire instep without any gaps. This snug, comfortable fit is apparently due in large part to the ergonomic last (shoe mold) that is made to fit the three-dimensional shape of the human foot
The actual weight of the size 43 is only 659 grams (see photo below). Despite its bulky appearance, your legs will lift up smoothly and without resistance
Speaking of lightness, it's only natural that these boots are heavier than trekking boots, but they have an excellent structure that makes you forget the weight. This is the "3D Flex System" that has been steadily evolving since the days of my beloved Trango Cube. This time, it's the "3D Flex System EVO."
For example, the structure is high-cut, covering the entire ankle, but the back is made of soft stretch material, making it easy to put on and take off, and it fits gently around the ankle while allowing for smooth forward and backward movement (see photo below)
The boots are supported by a side design (see photo below) that allows for natural ankle movement (flexion) without compromising the ankle's hold or stability, making you forget you're wearing sturdy alpine boots while walking. Even on steep slopes, traverses, snowy slopes, and uneven rocky areas, I was able to keep my center of gravity firmly planted on the slope with my feet firmly planted
After walking in them for a few days, I found that the AEQUILIBRIUM , as a three-season alpine boot, including the remaining snow season, provided a more nimble walk than any other boot I have worn to date. As long as you are careful not to tighten the boots too much, there is no need for break-in time, and they will provide a comfortable fit from the moment you put them on.
The tip of the shoelace is hidden under the upper, which not only prevents snagging and wear, but also adds a design accent (photo below)
Easy to walk in! Part 2: A sole package that combines stability and comfort
No matter how light and comfortable a boot may be, if it doesn't perform well on technical terrain like high altitudes or rocky areas, it's nothing more than a "durable hiking boot." In that sense, these boots were strong on any terrain
What impressed me when I walked in them was that they were equally stable (I could place my feet with confidence) whether I was climbing or descending rocky terrain or moving quickly. These were the first shoes I'd ever worn that didn't suit the phrase "difficult terrain."
When walking on rocky terrain, picking up footholds with small holds, you need a rigid sole, but when taking quick, powerful steps to move sideways, you need flexibility (resilience) in the sole for stable movement, and these hiking boots combine both of these qualities at a high level
First of all, the sole is sturdy enough to withstand heavy loads on tough terrain like snow and rocks, but it's not a problem unless you're using it in the winter mountains. As you can see from the welt on the heel, semi-one-touch crampons can also be attached (see photo below). It's also easy to use kick steps to climb slopes with remaining snow
There is also a climbing zone at the toe of the outsole, and although the sole is not as strong (flexible) as full-fledged alpine boots or winter hiking boots, you can still put weight on it and stand on even the smallest holds (see photo below)
The lug pattern is visually striking, being deep and large overall, with the heel in particular being large and bold, like the hooves of an ibex running down a cliff. This heel is the Vibram Impact Brake + Double Heel System and appears to incorporate a variety of ingenious features, but there are two points I particularly liked.
One is that the heel edge is cut at an angle, which makes walking extremely smooth (see photo below)
Normally, full-fledged alpine boots have a robotic "slam slam" landing from heel to toe like ski boots, but by slightly shaving off the corners and adding an angle like this, you can get a natural feeling of your foot moving forward, similar to the rocker shape (though not quite the rocker shape) that has become popular in trail running and trekking shoes in recent years
Another thing I like about the bike is, as you might expect from its appearance, its stability on downhill slopes. During the test, I descended a route with remaining snow on it, digging my heels into the snow with all my might, and I was impressed by how powerful the braking was
This is primarily due to the lug shape, which combines high cushioning and braking performance based on the "Impact Brake System," which has been widely adopted in the company's hiking shoes and other products, as well as two highly functional grip structures called the "double heel," which creates a double brake with two huge blocks at the very back of the heel and just in front of it
What's more, there's a hidden ingenuity that has gone into ensuring that the shoe isn't too heavy despite having such a voluminous outsole
These shoes use a new technology that hollows out the backside of the large lugs on the outsole and directly injects highly cushioning low-density polyurethane into these holes (see photo below). This minimizes the number of parts and reduces weight while providing maximum cushioning. When I tried pressing into each lug one by one, I noticed that it was indeed softer than I had expected
*Quoted from La Sportiva's official YouTube channel
Still, this is something I'm concerned about (I want to be careful about)
If you plan on using them in three seasons on routes with a diverse mix of terrain, including rock, snow, and dirt, you'll have almost no complaints. However, the points I'll mention below are both advantages and disadvantages, so there's probably nothing you can do about them, but one small detail that bothers me is that the shoelaces still tend to loosen easily. I think this is because they're made of a durable, freeze-resistant material, but if you tie them in a regular bow, they won't last more than a few hours. They need to be tied securely so they won't come undone
Also, compared to the soft rubber of hiking shoes, the outsole boasts high performance, but this is only when considering high-altitude routes centered around rocky ridges, and caution is required when walking in low mountains or forests. As is the fate of hard soles, they are slippery on wet rocks, tree roots, grass, etc., so of course, care must be taken
Summary: AEQUILIBRIUM: A versatile outdoor shoe with the best features
The name of the shoe, " AEQUILIBRIUM ," means balance or equilibrium in Japanese. In short, this means that the boots combine the strength of alpine boots, which require stability on rocky terrain and snow, with the lightness and ease of trekking boots. However, upon closer inspection, it is clear that they have also cleverly incorporated advances in a wide range of fields, such as trail running shoes and hiking shoes. These mountaineering boots truly take the best of outdoor shoes, and it is no exaggeration to say that they are Sportiva , which has made first-class shoes for all mountain activities.
AEQUILIBRIUM offers a high level of balance between comfortable walking performance and stable climbing and descending performance, two characteristics that have previously been considered to be contradictory. Except for occasions when you will only use them in the harsh winter, or on routes that only feature specific terrain, or routes with pinpoint difficult terrain, AEQUILIBRIUM is a boot with a high level of balance between safety and comfort that you will want to wear anywhere in Japan in all three seasons.
They're especially ideal for the Alps and Yatsugatake, where you can enjoy a wide variety of routes, from forests to rocky areas and remaining snow. I've always liked the nimbleness of the Trango Cubes , and I'm so glad I got them in time, as they offer greater stability and are versatile enough to handle even light snow. The soles were just about worn out, so I'm glad I got them in time.
Incidentally, in addition to the ST (synthetic fiber) model introduced here, the AEQUILIBRIUM series also has an LT (leather) model in its lineup. The weight and basic performance are almost the same, so if you don't mind the slightly more maintenance work and don't mind the comfortable feel of leather, this is the model for you
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