Mountaineering shoes

Mountaineering is a popular activity for mountain lovers. It can be practiced in summer or winter. Much more than a simple climb to admire the scenery, this discipline combines sport, thrills and pleasure. It can take many forms, depending on the individual's desires. Climbers move along specially prepared trails, allowing them to progress at their own pace. No matter what your level, sporty or not, rock and glacier climbing will give you the same sensations. To get off to a good start in mountaineering, you'll need the right equipment to cope with the cold and wind. Mountaineering footwear is a key element in making the most of your outing. There's nothing like a boot that's too big, too small or not insulated enough to turn a dream into a nightmare!

Hiking boots VS mountaineering boots?

Choosing the right mountaineering boots is a crucial step. As well as protecting your feet, they play a decisive role in providing excellent grip on the ground and allowing the foot to roll properly. The wrong choice could prove dangerous in certain situations. That's why it's important to take a few criteria into account when making your choice.

Alpinstore is here to help you make the right choice!

What sets them apart from conventional hiking boots?

- their larger stature: whether in leather or synthetic materials, they will be thicker to provide full thermal protection, and will most often feature a Gore-tex membrane, which increases their weight.

- higher uppers: for maximum ankle support and stability.

- sole rigidity: more rigid to protect the foot from impact and guarantee maximum grip and stability during climbing, as well as better transfer with the crampon.

- comfort: where foot comfort is a priority on a trekking boot for traversing trails with a loaded pack, on a mountaineering boot support and stability will be more important criteria to guarantee optimum safety whatever the terrain and gradient.

These boots are also thicker, with varying degrees of thermicity to offer mountaineers optimum protection.

Stone guards covering the front of the boot protect the feet from impact. While all mountaineering boots have some common features, certain models are designed for a specific terrain and practice. The various models available on the market fall into two categories, including semi-rigid and rigid-soled boots. For beginners, the former will do.

The best mountaineering boots

All the models offered by Alpinstore have been tested and approved in the field, and are of the highest quality: your choice of model will depend above all on your type of activity.

• For glacier trekking and discovering the discipline: Our La Sportiva selection will help you find the perfect pair of shoes with semi-rigid soles.
• For expeditions and ice climbing: opt for a rigid boot.
• For the highest summits and expert level practice: opt for a lined model that will give you the best thermal properties.

Some highly technical technical models from Scarpa brand will give you maximum precision and thermal insulation, while maintaining an exceptional weight-to-heat ratio at just 730g per boot!

Ladies, even if certain top-of-the-range models can be mixed, some equipment manufacturers also offer models adapted to women's morphologies. Here are just a few examples:

Scarpa : Charmoz, Ribelle models

La sportiva : Tango Cube GTX model

Dolomite : Miage model

Asolo : Elbrus model

Salewa : Crow GTX model

Alpinstore will help you make the right choice, thanks to the best manufacturers on the market: La Sportiva, Scarpa, Millet, Asolo, Mammut, Dolomite ,Salewa, ...

See also our selection of hiking boots.