HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS-GEAR REVIEWS FOR HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY, HUNTING: GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION (Revised)

HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS-GEAR REVIEWS FOR HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY, HUNTING: GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION (Revised) - Lowa Silberhorn GTX

GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION (Revised) - Lowa Silberhorn GTX

An alternative to the plastic mountaineering boot from Lowa is the Silberhorn GTX. As with everything I have seen from Lowa recently, these are made well with top notch materials. Destined to end up on my "keepers" list? Probably. Berry compliant or not, these'd be good for the 'stan.

Here is how REI describes them.

"Ideal for long haul expeditions, Lowa Silberhorn GTX mountaineering boots feature waterproof protection and stout construction to keep your feet warm and comfortable as you look to the next summit. Flexible and breathable, the single-piece split-grain leather uppers feature protective rubber rands for enhanced protection from abrasion and impacts. Seam-sealed Gore-Tex® liners with wicking polyester linings deliver complete protection while allowing moisture vapor to escape. Warm, light and nonbulky PrimaLoft® polyester microfiber insulation delivers great warmth. To-the-toe lacing allows a precise and adjustable climbing shoe-type fit. Special insoles feature a highly breathable top layer of foam, which conforms to the shape of your foot to deliver comfort and support while also managing moisture. Polyurethane midsoles are durable and shock absorbent, providing mile after mile of cushioned comfort. Rigid, full-length nylon shanks control flex and add the stability needed during use on rough terrain and with crampon use. Vibram Teton outsoles offer excellent grip, stability and durability; outsoles are step-in crampon compatible."

I have been looking for a hybrid mountaineering boot that is suitable for both local alpine work and mountains like Rainier and McKinley. Especially important to me is that they be compatible and work well with my Black Diamond Sabretooth crampons. The Silberhorns do. I will let you know if these make the the list.

Thanks and happy holidays to everybody.

UPDATE - FULL REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION

The things I do for you people. This Crocodile Gaiter is on the wrong leg so you can see the tag. Ever tried taking a photo of your own foot? Silberhorn GTXs in their element. High altitude, deep snow and cold temps. Great boots for these conditions and worse.

Well, do they belong on my "keepers" list and in my gear closet? Is a frogs ass watertight? Yes, absolutely!

Let me first reiterate that, even though it may seem like it sometimes, I am not on the Lowa payroll in any way, shape or form. Truth is that they are just knocking it out of the park with every new boot and I have to give them their due. They are in the zone. Dialed in and dead on. This is another outstanding boot from the German boot maker.

Stout and sturdy but remarkably flexible.  Good laces and hardware make it easy to adjust the tops and the bottoms differently. You can actually crank these down pretty good when you need to. Also, a very handsome boot. Hey, style counts and I want you to look good out there.

I have 20 or more miles of hiking and two alpine trips, both with and without crampons and snowshoes, on these and I am very pleased with their fit, finish and performance. If I were headed to Denali, Rainier or anything else that involved glaciers the Silberhorns and Bridgedale Summit Knee Sock combination would be my choice for footwear. Here is my boot review metrics

Class-Mountaineering
Height-8 inches (9.5 from the floor), 9 loops/cleats
Materials-thick Nubuck leather and a full rubber rand
Insulation-Primaloft chopped staple polyester
Waterproofing-Nubuk leather is treated for water repellency and they have a Gore Tex waterproof breathable liner. Mine have been leak free
Cushion-good to very good for a mountaineering boot
Flexibility-it is a mountaineering boot so it is supposed to be stiff but this one is also fairly easy to walk flats in. My ankle is locked in position but the top part of the upper allows good fore and aft movement. There is a full length shank for support and crampons, 6mm nylon and 8mm TPU.  These are not like the old style plastics which were basically downhill ski boots with Vibram soles. If your Alaska Dall Sheep guide suggests plastic mountaineering boots, these would be a perfect alternative
Tread-Vibram Teton outsoles have aggressive cleats
Volume-medium, arch support is good and the heel cup is comfortably snug. The forefoot is roomy enough but I wouldn't call it spacious. I ordered a half size larger to accommodate thick mountaineering socks. The lacing system works very well. You can actually adjust the lowers (without needing assistance from your buddy) and the uppers independently thanks to the locking 5th cleat and the tongue is semi adjustable with a Velcro attachment near top. Very nice
Width Availability-Nope but very, very few mountaineering boots do. I can only think of two and they are not sold in the US.  Size range is 7 thru 12 and 13US
Weight-my 46s (Mens 12US) weigh 2 lbs 14 oz per boot
Crampon Compatibility-You better believe it. They worked beautifully with my Black Diamond Sabretooths
Quality-very high-"Made in Italy"
Break In-not much but I would make sure that you spend some quality time in them before taking that big trip. Especially if you haven't done much mountaineering. The fit and feel of mountaineering footwear is an acquired taste

Warm and comfortable. Words that are not normally associated with mountaineering but entirely appropriate when used to describe the Silberhorns. The pinholes around the flexible collar are part of Lowa's Climate Control System which helps circulate air and disapate moisture.

Ya know, I don't often knock other products on this site but it seems to me that this is the boot that a US manufacturer meant to build when they came out with a model for our Special Ops guys in Afghanistan but, in my opinion, they missed the mark.  Theirs is innovative and tough but it is not nearly as user friendly in the alpine environment as this boot is and I think that is just a matter of breeding and experience.

If I were shipping out to the 'stan and was going to be traipsing all over those high, rugged mountains, the Lowa Silberhorn GTXs are the boots I would want even if I had to spend my own, hard earned pay to get them.

Wade Nelson
Editor

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