#La sportiva nucleo high gtx shrink plus#
#La sportiva nucleo high gtx shrink free#

Like most lightweight designs, the Ultra Raptor II doesn’t have any locking eyelets, which I prefer for keeping the forefoot loose while cinching the ankle. The sock-like upper and one-piece tongue also help immensely with locking things down and providing a snug all-around fit, and there are minimal seams along the interior to reduce hot spots and rubbing. The lightweight personality is immediately noticeable, but the boot boasts ample cushioning both underfoot and around the ankle and collar, providing a very soft, well-padded feel. In trying on the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX for the first time, they felt much more like a mid-height trail runner than a true hiking boot. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best hiking boots. Below I outline my experiences with the Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX. The boots do run noticeably narrow at the forefoot and were prone to slippage in softer surfaces like mud, but we think they’re well-suited for everything from short day hikes to all-day summit pushes and backpacking with a light pack. The Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is case in point: It’s impressively light at just over 2 pounds and has a very nimble, trail runner-like feel to match, but stability and support are still excellent for longer objectives over tricky terrain. Just dig around a bit.La Sportiva makes some of our favorite climbing shoes, and that technical expertise has translated nicely to their hiking boot lineup. You're sure to find some sweet hiking boots somewhere on Hiking Feet. To learn more about the brand, you can also read my La Sportiva brand review or check out Hiking Feet's brand recommendations for recreational hikers and backpackers.

#La sportiva nucleo high gtx shrink free#

Feel free to scroll down my home page for curated lists of recommended hiking boots and hiking shoes, particularly my picks for best lightweight hiking boots, best women's hiking boots, best hiking boots, and best backpacking boots. If you're not feeling the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX, no problem. If this site hooked you up, please consider hooking me up, too. But they keep this site afloat and let me continue to create free and independent content. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission from the retailer (at no cost to you). Has my La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX review convinced you to pick up a pair of this standout lightweight hiking boot? If so, please consider purchasing them through the affiliate links above. This also seems to be a weak spot with my waterproof membrane, which doesn't work as well as expected after moderate use. However, rocks beat up that area, causing the protective TPU overlay to peel away. These are apparently there to increase breathability. My other wear area is the ventilated mesh (Nano Cell) that runs between the boot's uppers and outsoles. The other boot's lace snapped just a few steps into the famed Franconia Ridge day hike in New Hampshire's White Mountains-which would have ruined my trip had I not packed extra laces. One lace frayed on a steep uphill slog just 20 miles into my first backpacking trip in them. Sportiva's thin shoe laces didn't stand up to hard hikes. The Vibram outsoles showed normal wear until the lugs wore out underneath the balls of my feet.The boots did present some durability issues along the way. The Nubuck leather uppers and rubber rand proved to be very durable. I retired my pair of the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX around 500 miles, which is pretty typical for a hiking boot. I've had no issues hiking and backpacking on some of Pennsylvania's harder trails, including the Black Forest loop, which many consider PA's toughest backpacking trip. Still, the torsional rigidity is pretty good, which may prevent some rolled ankles. Overall, my messed up feet and ankles feel pretty confident in the Nucleo High II GTX. Likewise, its soles are moderately sturdy with some flex in the forefoot-not as stiff as traditional backpacking boots. Just keep in mind that the soft, nubuck leather won't provide bomb-proof ankle support because it's not particularly stiff.

#La sportiva nucleo high gtx shrink plus#

That's a plus in the ankle support department. The Nucleo's high-cut ankle collars are taller than most mid-cut hiking boots, including the Salomon X Ultra Mid, which is one of the best lightweight hiking boots. The Nucleo II stands out for offering hikers and backpackers moderate support at a relatively light weight. Cutting ounces generally means cutting support. It's hard to make a hiking boot that's both supportive and lightweight.