La Sportiva Spantik Mountaineering Boot for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

Before I say anything else let me say I know the g2 sm is lighter, has an easier and better fit and and is possibly warmer. I haven't used the G2 SMs and this is not a comparison. The Spantik is an awesome boot and I just want to highlight why it impressed me on its own merits. It's a warm boot. Used it at ~0F, at 3000m, ice climbing on a shaded north face. Used it winter north-face Alpine climbing proper at 4000m. Used it summer alpine climbing above 6000m in single digits. Even bivied with them on at those altitudes (don't ask why). Toes sometimes got cold but I never worried about it getting dangerous. I've had repeated cold injuries in the past and have learned a pretty keen sense of what's safe and unsafe cold in my toes but also have more cold sensitive toes than most. In these boots in those conditions I always felt safe and "nimble" while partners with other lighter boots struggled with cold feet. The boots facilitate using approach skis. The same ridifity that works against this boot on highly technical terrain makes these boots better performing on approach skis. It's still not easy skiing, but it's a vast improvement over all other synthetic double boots. This makes it easier to reach pristine, solitary ice climbs. Probably doesn't hurt in glacier bound expeditions either like to the Ruth. They work as substitutes for down booties. The outer boots are insulated, unique among synthetic double boots. This means you can wear them alone without the inners. The inner boots can stay in your sleeping bag to dry out while you complete short errands around basecamp or take care of business wearing just the outlers Regardless of what other boots I may own or what other boots are out there the spantik will always have a place in my lineup.

Just took these on a climb of Mera (6,461m, 21,197') having put about 75 miles on them before I left. The break-in was flawless and they performed extremely well on the two days of glacier travel with Grivel G12 crampons (fitted with the longer bar). Even with a cold 2:130am start, there was never a sense of chill in my feet. That said, they would be too much boot for anything much lower and not enough for 7000m or above.... but on Mera, they were perfect.

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Very happy with all aspects of these boots. Got them for the warmth and have been more than satisfied at 0 degrees with a steady 25mph wind. Feet were actually QUITE warm for someone with cold hands and feet. Thought the one handed lacing system was a little gimmicky until I re-laced them in the cold. Was able to do quite easily with one hand still covered with a liner glove. No issues. One potential drawback came up. Am using these with Grivel G12 (Cramp-O-Matic style) crampons and the fit over the toe is less than perfect. They (crampons ) don't conform to the shape of the toe too well and needed to be readjusted several times over the first 4 miles of my trip. They just didn't seat correctly in the groove (any suggestions?).

Fits REALLY small in front half of the foot, loose in the heel. I had to return because the fit didn't work for MY foot. I wear New Balance sneakers as a reference. I thought the lacing system would be a gimmic, but loved how easy it was to lace up securely with one hand.

I was. Was being the key word. I just got the La Sportiva G2 SM's and I am so happy I did. For $40 bucks more and having a lighter, warmer and an easily adjustable boot made all the sense in the world over the Spantiks. Why am I telling people this? Some may know the G2's are out there and that they have become available. Check out La Sportiva's website. For those who don't know there is a new boot on the market for only a few dollars more. I guess this 'review' is for you. The Spantiks are a great boot, there is just another option out there from La Sportiva worth checking out. And while throwing food for thought out there. Scarpa's new phantom boots are totally amazing looking too. This 2016 season is going to have a bunch of other options put out to the climbing community.

I have a small foot & very narrow heel. I wore other rental boots on a 6 day trip that gave me pressure sores, which left scarring. I invested in a good pair of boots for happy feet on future trips. So far, so great. These worked very well for me because only the heel (and not the toe box) seemed to run narrow in the 39, which fits my needs perfectly. I wear a US Women's 7 in running shoes & hiking boots typically

This boots is perfect for hight mountaing, especially Aconcagua in Argentina

Awesome boots but i am confused on size. i rented Nepal EVO sz 39.5 and those were quite comfortable. Spantik i tried 40.5 and they seemed to fit but was not sure :(

I knew these would be warm, but I didn't realize how comfy and usable they would be. I've never once been even the slightest bit cold, and they are easy enough to walk in that if I want to go on a 'posh' alpine trip in the lower 48, I might even bring these. It's not a huge deal to take long approaches in these, despite their weight.

I got these for a trip to some 6000m+ Himalayan peaks, never once had an issue with cold feet the entire time. Did some ice climbing while there too and had plenty of control for the technical parts, well worth the extra money over the Baruntse's. I have a size 42 in the Nepal Evo's which fit perfect and went up half a size for the Spantiks which was the perfect fit.

Got for denali and used for training hikes and ice climbing this winter. I had a pair of scarpa phantom guides i wore up rainier and they ripped holes in my heels so i was scared about how much worse a double boot was going to feel. Never have i been so wrong. These boots are so comfortable. Can do 20 miles in a day in these and have no hot spots.

These boots look to be huge on the pictures, but when you put them on with your snow pants, they are not that big at all. They are very comfortable for my feet. I wear size 45 tennis shoes, and I got size 45 for these boots and they fit great. I have not had a chance to take them hiking yet, but I wore them the whole day ice fishing with some quite long walks on the lake in deep snow and they worked great. My feet stayed dry and warm the whole time. Also, These boots are not as heavy as they look like. BTW, all other people on the lake were impressed with my boots and were asking about them :) I am planning to take these boots to the top of Mt Rainier in June. I am not afraid it's overkill. My feet stayed warm when it was about 20F and wind in the morning, and I didn't feel they are too warm when it got to 50F during the day.

This boot has been the only boot to keep my chronically cold feet warm without difficulty. I froze my feet with another boot on Kilimanjaro which prompted this purchase. The price tag was hard to swallow, but it has been worth it. Since the purchase, I have climbed several winter 14ers in CO and Rainer with absolutely no warmth problem. They have required no break in time and I have not had any blisters. I did Rainer with a guide who has climbed Everest several times and he commented that the Spantik is his favorite and go-to boot for every mountain he climbs except the high camps of Everest. That's pretty high praise. 100% satisfied.

most of my "mountaineering" experience been with a splitboard on my back. However I might be going on a trip late this spring that would be purely mountaineering, I needed a cold weather boot that climbs well. My friend recommend these, and I took them on their maiden voyage up everyone's favorite backyard peak Mt. Olympus. I climbed/scrambled about 1500 vert of ice and rock with steel crampons and I have to say the boots climb great. Way overkill for the route and temps but it was nice to know that right out of the box I could spend a long day on the mountain with no pressure spots or blisters. Looking forward to getting them on some real terrain and testing them out more.

Just as an update for folks looking for sizing help. I use 44.5 in all of LS running shoes and 10.5 (44.5) in Asics runners. in Asics the 11 (45) are too big. I use a 44 in the Nepal Evo. I started with the 43, then 43.5 and 44. I ended up going all the way up to a Spantik 45 and having them cooked and fitted by a boot fitter in Redmond's bike and ski shop (forget the name ). I used them on 3 routes on Rainier in a weeks time. They have been to Denali and Nepal. They started off great but by the end of the week they were loose and sloppy so I sold the 45 and went back down to the 44.5 in the Spantik and stayed in the 45 in the Oly Mons. I know many climbers who has gone through this and have ended up back at their "true to their LS sizing" with the Nepal. The Spantik and Oly Mons (they are the same) liner will pack out after the first week and they can also be form fit when molded. Most people buy too big as the initial feeling of this boot is snug and their trying to compare the feel to a typical hiking boot. The feel will be more like a ski boot than a hiking boot. I used one SW liner and 1 SW Mountaineering sock with molded orthotics which add 1/2-1 size. Keep in mind that the Spantic shells only come in full sizes. The liners come in half sizes so a 44.5 & 45 are the same outer boot with different liners. The 45.5 is a larger boot. This is why you see the odd fitting. I can and should have worn a 44. Use the same size as the Nepal EVO. The Spantik liner has a built in vapor barrier liner as well. Because this boot is so warm, most "in the know" are using only one thin sock as this combo is less bunk, less weight, and drys faster. The best liner for this boot is the LS Baruntse liner and it molds much better. For the Rainier folks, this is way too much boot for Rainier for all but the winter or if you have much higher ambitions. Great boot for Aconcagua or Denali. Use a Nepal EVO type boot for Rainer.

I have used this boot extensively over two seasons now and it performs well. On occasion I have also used it to snowboard into areas for access to climbing spots and was pleasantly surprised how well it worked. They don't come cheap, but are worth every penny!!

...if you want to throw away your other boots. I froze my feet on my last trip to Alaska. I was wearing plastics with molded liners. These are warmer, more comfortable, and climb better than any other double boot period.

These boots are just, without a doubt, the best! The inner boot is super comfortable and warm and gives a nice snug feeling. They are heat moldable, but I have not done that yet as they fit just fine without it. The lacing system was a bit confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it its the best. Very easy to lace up with gloves on during a cold morning. Crampon compatibility is also great. I went with the Grivel G12s and they fit perfectly. The boot is a bit large (I wear a size 45) so it does just barely fit the crampon without an extender bar. If I were to get overboots I would defiantly need to go with the extender bar for the G12s. In terms of sizing, I did a lot of debating over it and decided to size up a full size. I wear a size 10.5 regular hiking shoe. I started with a half size but it was just a tad too snug with my sock layers. Overall, I highly recommend this boot. I got it for both winter adventures in the Whites as well as for Rainier with the hope that I will use it on future, colder ascents.