La Sportiva Spire GTX - Women's Review

The Spire GTX performed impressively well under most test conditions, providing enough support, traction, and waterproofness to handle a wide range of day hiking adventures, from steep climbs to loose rubble. Notable features include an abrasion-resistant mesh upper, a Gore-Tex Surround liner, an EVA midsole, and a Vibram XS Trek outsole. While the design is sold in standard width only (no narrow or wide options available), it is important to note the Spire does tend to run a tad long and slightly narrow and may not be the most comfortable choice for those in need of a roomy toe box. Similarly, it may be a bit too high-volume (or vertically roomy) for some feet.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Comfort in a hiking shoe is the most important metric for most folks, but it is also one of the most subjective. Comfort can be relative to fit, which is why we look for aspects of the shoe that are universal, regardless of foot shape. The Spire features a high-tech breathable mesh lined with Gore-Tex Surround, allowing for excellent breathability. They are also plenty warm for hikes in the shoulder seasons if you run cold. Like many European shoe brands, the fit is a bit long and somewhat narrow, so consider ordering down if you are between sizes, and be sure to test drive a pair at home before hitting the trail if you run wider through the forefoot.

The Spire GTX has a flexible yet supportive mesh upper that remains comfortable without pinching or producing top-sided discomfort, even on steep hikes. The insole is Ortholite 5mm, which has more cushion than a standard Ortholite insole, and the compressed EVA midsole provides enough shock absorption that the shoes feel comfortable without being soft underfoot. Although the design is both long and slightly narrow, the shoe is also constructed to accommodate a "high volume" foot, meaning it is more vertically spacious than many other options. This could be great for folks with higher arches and feet with more dimensionality than a flat-footed person. The downside: those with slender feet (who will love the length) may find the upper requires regular lace retightening to maintain comfort and fit. And while the tongue provides some cushion over the top of the foot, the demands of repeat adjustments may prove uncomfortable over time. Some hikers have found tongue pads useful to add a bit more cushion and fill some of that extra volume.

The rocketed outsole and steeper angle of the ankle encourage and support forward movement. However, some testers reported a poor fit in the shoe overall, with too little room in the toe box to splay toes comfortably while also seeing gaps and slippage at the heel (even with laces fully tightened), creating hot spots in both locations. Others found the ankle collar and inner tongue rubbed uncomfortably across the top of the foot and at ankle bones, especially when traveling uphill. For these reasons, we would highly recommend testing your individual fit on a steep ramp if possible, positioning the shoe both up and downhill to ensure appropriate comfort and foot stability under varying conditions.

Support

Aside from evaluating each hiker in the field and considering its features, we also do a series of tests to "measure" the degree of support offered by the shoe. The Spire GTX is impressive on this front.

First, we twist the shoes as if we were wringing out a sponge. In this test, the Spire delivered solid rigidity — both when laterally twisted from big toe to heel and from pinky to big toe — but with enough flexion to leave us confident we'd have no problem tackling even the steepest inclines on our upcoming routes. Rigidity in each of these aspects translates to better support for your foot on the trail and less fatigue for your feet over the long haul. Where the Spire gets it right is in striking a balance: combining a midfoot that provides a reasonably stiff foundation to protect your steps (including some structural arch support) with a forefoot that has a bit more flexion to allow for sensory intake and responsiveness.

Typically, we expect the most support from leather hiking shoes because leather is thick and less flexible. This is why it can take months to get leather boots to relax enough to conform to your feet. However, the upper on the Spire is made of the latest and greatest in lightweight, high-tech mesh material, delivering durability and soft-sided comfortable support without becoming sloppy — a fantastic balance. Excellent shock absorption through the midsole and a backside heel flare means the shoe is stiff enough to protect from some rocks and roots while providing a stable platform on uneven trails. We tested these trail running, and while they are a bit burly for a run, they would be a great option for fast-packing. But in general, long trail days with and without pack weight resulted in tired feet. So there are better choices than the Spire for multi-day adventures.

Traction

We look at two factors for traction: the quality or stickiness of the rubber (which is important on rocky slabs) and the shape, depth, and direction of the lugs. The lugs on the Spire grab through mud and loose material to give you the confidence to ascend and descend quickly. They feature the Vibram XS Trek soles that provide excellent grip, particularly in loose dirt.

The deep and multi-directional lugs shed material easily, grabbing onto sandy or unconsolidated trails with confidence. The heels have an Impact Braking System, which refers to the shape and angle of the rubber on the backend. Angled in the opposite direction from the other lugs on the outsole, this braking system helps your heel dig in to gain purchase when moving downhill. It works impressively when descending — even on volcanic rubble, snow, and loose sediment. Unfortunately, on slick rock, the seemingly sticky outsoles proved less grippy than visual inspection otherwise indicated. As a result, we slowed our roll whenever heading downhill on granite.

Weight

The Spire weighs 1.7 pounds for a size 10 US. This is just about midrange when compared to the other hiking shoes we tested. While its weight felt negligible once on and never once slowed us down, this combination of features and performance is something we came to expect from a variety of shoes in this range.

Water Resistance

We tested the Spire GTX in streams, sprinklers, and rain, and our feet stayed dry. These kicks also passed the bucket test (standing in 3 inches of water for 5 minutes) with flying colors. We saw no signs of water inside the shoe upon completion of the test nor any indication of absorption to impact its final weight. These are the kinds of results you want when faced with a stream crossing.

The Spire boasts a Gore-Tex Surround membrane, which provides fantastic water resistance. Hiking shoes will always have limited protection due to their shorter structure (for more significant protection, you'd want to select a boot). But with a slightly higher ankle height than other hikers in the group, the Spire provides a tad more splash protection. It is, at minimum, high enough to keep your feet dry in shallow puddles and streams, as well as when moving through mud slop or a few inches of snow.

Durability

We saw no sign of scuffs, de-lamination, or unusual wear in the Spire during our testing period. While many shoes claim to be abrasion-resistant, this model stood up incredibly well to very aggressive volcanic rocks, thorny shrubs, granite talus fields, and even getting too close to a campfire.

Some online reviewers have had durability issues with these shoes; however, between reviewers, we pounded out hundreds of miles without challenging the integrity of the Spire. Admittedly, aftermarket insoles were at play, and laces have been replaced 3+ times (more than any other pair). But aside from having some of the least durable laces on the market, these shoes have earned their worth. Overall, we did not experience any concerning durability issues during our testing period.

Should You Buy the La Sportiva Spire GTX?

The Spire GTX lives up to its advertising as a high-performing, supportive hiking shoe that can log many miles while keeping you agile and quick on technical terrain. We like it, and we think its recipe of trademarked technologies is more than worthy of consideration when the fit works. That said, it is also among the most expensive in our current test suite and may not be the best option for everyone. However, if you are looking for a well-engineered shoe that offers flexibility and strength with all the support you'll need to handle rugged and varied terrain with grace, we think it's well worth the price.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

If your budget is tighter than this shoe will allow, we think the Merrell Moab 3 WP could be a good choice given its excellent test results for comfort, support, traction, and similarities in weight. If you prioritize lightweight shoes that excel in technical terrain and don't need quite as much support in your foundation, we can also easily recommend the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex.