La Sportiva Typhoon
La Sportiva is a massively respected name in boots and shoes. The Delladio family has been crafting mountain footgear in Italy for 80 years and they like to do a good job. They’ve not gone wrong with the new Typhoons.
This Nabuck leather boot is meant for year-round trekking. In La Sportiva terms, it’s not a particularly hardcore boot, but it’s more than up to the job of climbing Kilimanjaro and will have a long life thereafter with hiking addicts. Because it’s almost full-leather, it’s warm enough to be comfortable at low temperatures near the summit, but will need some walking in before you start the climb.
The new Impact Brake System has specially designed opposing slanted lugs that apparently reduce impact and increase traction on the Vibram soles by 20 per cent. Certainly, I found these remarkably comfortable and grippy boots. Whether on slippery scree or sheer rocks, they got me up and down the mountain like a tractor.
They’re also Gore-Tex lined and live up to their waterproof insulation promise. Just to be sure, I tested them by standing almost up to my ankles in a cold river for 30 seconds and came out with completely dry, warm feet. In fact, the boots didn’t even look wet on the outside.
Other features include rubber heel and toe reinforcements so you can’t hurt yourself, a lace-lock system so you can tighten them easily and an EVA midsole to keep them light.
Weight: 1200g a pair
RRP: R1995
Salomon Cosmic 4D GTX
‘Trail-running design applied to a trekking boot’ – that’s what Salomon say about these hiking boots which use fabric instead of leather for most of the upper. As a result, they’re instantly comfortable and need practically no walking in – perfect for the last-minute Kili shopper!
They’re Gore-Tex lined and totally waterproof (they too passed the cold river test). The lacing system gives a super comfortable fit and, together with the semi-rigid sole, keeps feet steady. The soles have decent grip, while excellent ankle support and cushioning gives you the feeling of walking not on a track of sharp volcanic rock but over a path of pillows. Okay, we got a bit carried away there, but they are really comfortable.
They seem very tough and durable and came back from Kili still looking like new. The only compromise seems to be on warmth, as fabric uppers just can’t do as good a job as leather, and on summit night, they didn’t quite keep the chill out. A pair of Grabber foot warmers and Mund K2 summit socks would probably have done the trick, though.
Weight: 1230g a pair
RRP: R2599
