La Sportiva Spire GTX Review

If it has seemed difficult to find a shoe that can excel from everything from day hiking to trail running shoes | trail running to light backpacking backpack backpacking, then look no further. The Spire GTX is an all-around performer, able to do all that you ask while remaining light on the feet and keeping you dry with one of the best waterproof liners on the market.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

While reviewing this pair, we had to keep reminding ourselves that we were testing hikers, not top-rated running shoes. The Spire GTX is built with comfort in mind, and thanks to its extra cushioned compression-molded EVA sole, it provides the same feel as some of our favorite trail running shoes. The sole kept our feet from feeling sharp rocks underneath on rough trails. With a moderate amount of rocker and great arch support, our feet felt comfortable and were not fatigued even after long days. On early-season trail runs where we knew we would encounter snow and water crossings, we chose the Spire since we knew it could handle the running comfortably while giving the protection of a hiker.

We found the Gore-Tex Surround membrane to be highly effective — it is easily the most breathable hiking shoe with a waterproof-breathable liner in our lineup. The Surround technology allows the foot to expel perspiration through the 5mm Ortholite footbed, facilitating a much drier foot even in warm climates. Slipping into the Spire GTX is also easy — the gusseted tongue extends high up for protection but is easy to put on, and the lacing system is a traditional shoelace and snugs up nicely around the forefoot.

Support

Do not be fooled by the scant weight and low-cut height of the Spire GTX; this shoe is built from the latest in technologies and provides phenomenal support for hiking in all-terrain conditions. The ankle collar extends up 3 inches, reaching the lower part of the ankle bone and providing it with just enough lateral support to resist rolling, but not as much as a mid-cut boot that might feel like overkill when you're not hiking with much weight.

The Spire has TPU inserts that inform the stability of the sole, which was soft enough to consider trail running but stiff enough that our feet did not tire when hiking over uneven ground. The forefoot width measures 4 inches, which is narrower than most other models in this review, though the shoe is overall more slender and nimble than most, to begin with.

Traction

The Spire GTX uses the Vibram XS Trek rubber compound for the outsole. This rubber is very grippy and made scrambling on both wet and dry rock easy, although in steeper rock sections where smearing was required, these shoes did not do as well as those with smoother soles and slightly stickier rubber.

The lug pattern on these shoes is impressive and is one of the most aggressive soles in our review. Deep, widely spaced lugs cut through mud and soft dirt easily and shed it quickly without caking up on the bottom. We also appreciate the Impact Braking System, which is a pattern set into the sole, allowing speed control on steep descents.

Water Resistance

We subjected the Spire GTX to the same rigorous water immersion test that the rest of our hiking shoes had to go through, and it passed with flying colors. We stood in a stream of spring runoff for five full minutes and had no leakage issues. We were also impressed by the flood level of this hiker (4.15 inches) for its overall height.

The Gore-Tex Surround waterproof membrane allows for 360-degree moisture control, meaning that vents in the sole allow the foot's perspiration to pass through. We were initially worried that this could be another avenue for water to seep in, but we were pleased to discover no water leakage through this lower lining.

Weight

With a verified weight of 2.06 pounds per pair (size 11 US), the Spire GTX is an average weight when compared to the rest of the contenders in our review. While certainly not as light as some of the lower-cut and minimal models, we were happy to take on a few extra ounces in favor of the great level of support offered in this shoe. Long-distance hikers would do well to look at this model for lightweight fastpacking adventures where a blend of lightweight and support is necessary.

Durability

We tested the Spire GTX for several months in various conditions (and have continued to wear them beyond that), and we did not see any major durability issues arise. The material used for the outer of the shoe, an abrasion-resistant mesh, is lower weight and synthetic — it held up to our testing, though long-term abrasion resistance to rough terrain could be in question.

Should You Buy the La Sportiva Spire GTX?

Without a doubt, the Spire GTX is a top-of-the-line, high-performance hiking shoe that is comfortable tackling long-distance hikes with ease. Our reviewers wore these shoes on casual day hikes around their local trails, long adventure hikes deeper into the backcountry, and during general around-town use. Like many of our casual running shoes, they feel comfortable, snug, and secure. Using advanced technologies that ensure comfort and support, the Spire will help you keep putting down the miles without weighing you down. It is one of the more expensive hiking shoes in our review, though we feel its features and performance merit the higher price tag. Still, not everyone will be willing to pay the premium price for such a high-tech hiking shoe.

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