La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX Review

Performance Comparison

Glaciated approach with a rock scramble at the end? The Trango Tech GTX is up for the challenge!

Comfort

The Trango Tech GTX is a burly boot. Not necessarily so when compared to the three-season mountaineering boot category, but when compared to other midweight hiking boots, most definitely. This burliness translates to amazing performance on climbing and technical hiking objectives, but it also makes them a bit harder to break in. These are comfortable out of the box in terms of fit, with a medium volume sizing, but when snugly laced around the foot, they are not as forgiving as other models, and the stiff sole feels less comfortable when on the trail for miles at a time.

We think these are a reasonably comfortable boot for hiking, and they protect the foot well. The stiffness of the sole helps increase comfort, though, as the terrain gets rougher.

But think about the difference between driving a sleek Porsche 911 and a Cadillac - you're going to give up some comfort in the race car, but you do so in favor of vastly improved performance. Rocky, alpine, technical trails involving 3rd and 4th class climbing are where the comfort-for-performance tradeoff is clearly worth it. The stiff soles that aren't very comfortable on flat, smooth trails protect your feet in rocky terrain, which is actually more comfortable in this environment. Comfort is contingent upon the terrain, exemplified with this boot.

Stability

These are very stable boots. We feel in total control while hiking and climbing in these boots, thanks to a snug lacing system that makes the upper feel like it is part of the foot, rather than allowing the foot to slide and twist inside. Offering a very stable edging platform based on a Trango 2 last, they feel precise and confident. The tall 7.25-inch cuffs give great support around the ankles making them useful in off-trail situations. Torsionally very stiff, they maneuver through rocky terrain quite well.

The sole is stiff enough to edge in but can smear as well, making them more versatile for climbing than the average mountain boot.

Traction

We can't get over how well these boots climb! Featuring the same Vibram Mulaz rubber compound found on many high-performance, lightweight mountaineering boots, they can travel effortlessly through many varied surface conditions. On the approach, they hold their own on the trail, easily tracking over muddy, slick, and wet surfaces, but off-trail is really where they begin to shine. Meant for technical endeavors, the Trango Tech GTX finds its stride in 3rd and 4th class terrain where rock and snow climbing may be encountered. In these situations, they are one of the top performers in this review.

If you want to, you can attach a semi-automatic crampon to the heel welt of these boots.

Weight

The Trango Tech GTX weighs in at 2.9 pounds in US men's size 11. This is almost twice the weight of the lightest hiking boot we reviewed, but it is by no means the heaviest boot in our review. It is also much lighter than some equivalent lighter weight mountaineering boots, and so judged on its merits as well as its weight, it is a good choice.

Water Resistance

By including a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membrane, these boots do a great job of keeping water on the outside where it belongs. And thanks to a tall ankle cuff that has this waterproof-breathable membrane sewn in all the way up to the top, it boasts an impressive flood height. We did not experience any issues with water seeping in. Relating to durability, though, the fabric on the sides of the upper are susceptible to wear. Over time and if worn in rough terrain, we expect this to be the first area that would start letting in moisture.

We stood in stream water 6 inches deep and had no leakage issues.

Durability

As noted above, these are light boots and they are made from light materials. The upper is comprised of proprietary QB3 Waterproof fabric with Thermo-Tech injection coating, meaning that they are very high-tech (hence the name!), but don't offer the same durability that full-grain leather boots do. When abraded, this fabric has a tendency to fray and wick water in. It is worth being careful if you plan on climbing in harsh terrain.

The fabric upper is our biggest concern for the long term durability of these boots.

Value

The Trango Tech GTX is an expensive, niche hiking boots, or a relatively inexpensive mountain boot, depending on how you look at it. It is a great boot with some minor issues, but overall we feel it is a good value.

Conclusion