When world renowned alpinist/speed climber Ueli Steck has
a new gear idea, his sponsors hit the drawing board to turn that idea into product. So when Steck told he wanted the lightest insulated boot in the world
for his next alpine speed ascent—a tall order—the family-owned Italian footwear company
threw out convention and started working on research and development.
Scarpa sourced the most innovative and best-in-class
materials and combined them for the first time—a carbon fiber midsole for
stiffness, Cordura/Kevlar microfiber uppers that are light and abrasion
resistant, an insulated lower boot, and integrated stretch Gore-Tex
gaiters that eliminate the need for a secondary gaiter.
The resulting is a super nimble,
very light, insulated automatic and semi-automatic crampon-compatible alpine
boot that weighs in at just one pound, nine ounces for a size 41. A low-profile
stretch tongue and lower-volume alpine last gives the boot a precise, rock
shoe-like fit for ultimate climbing proficiency and traction on an impressive
diet. Available now, $439; .
—Berne Broudy