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

HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HUNTING, HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY

HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HUNTING, HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY: GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION - Scarpa Liskamm GTX Boots

GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION - Scarpa Liskamm GTX Boots

The Italian made Liskamm GTX from Scarpa are big, burly and beautiful. Made for heavy loads, difficult terrain and long distances. Note the full rubber rand and ankle flex feature.

I have written about these before and it was probably evident from what I said then that I liked these boots and would end up recommending them. The Scarpa Liskamm GTX are a top notch, high quality product I rank right up there with the best from Hanwag, Lowa, Asolo and La Sportiva. That shouldn't surprise those in the know, Scarpa has been around for a long time and has a very good reputation for making great boots for use in the mountains. The Liskamm certainly fits right in with the Scarpa tradition and other great boots from them like the SL M3, Inverno and Escape (also a Hardcore Outdoor GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION).

The fully gusseted, double tongue lays down and conforms nicely to your feet while also effectively keeping debris, snow and water out. The Liskamm has a middle cinch cleat and is easy to lace despite the thickness of the leather and lining which is a testament to the overall design of the boot.

I have had many people ask me for a heavy duty mountain boot that provides a high level of ankle support but that is also flexible enough to hike in which I usually take to mean that they are looking for a non-plastic mountaineering boot. These are folks that need a mountaineering boot but don't like or can't use plastic for whatever reason (noise or maybe they are summer 14er baggers). Well, the Liskamm is one that I would include on that short list but it isn't insulated like the Lowa Hunter GTX Extreme (Primaloft) or Lowa Silberhorn GTX (Primaloft).

In fact, if the Scarpa has a soft underbelly in terms of how it stacks up to the few competitors it has on the market it is for just two reasons which may or may not be a problem for you depending on your intended use. One, they're not available in a wide (although the DL last is fairly accommodating). Two, they're not insulated. Other than that, they are tall, very sturdy, very supportive, protective and comfortable. They are also very well made and have all the features you would expect in a heavy duty boot of this type and grade. Here is the breakdown;

Class-almost flexible enough to be a Heavy Hiker due to the upper but fully capable enough to serve as a full on mountaineering boot in moderate temps
Height-9 inches, 9 loops/cleats
Materials-single and double thickness, heavy nubuck/rough out leather that Scarpa calls Crosta Pro HS12 and a full protective rand made of heavy weight rubber
Insulation-none but the Gore-Tex Performance Comfort lining is thick, especially in the upper where it conforms very well to the lower leg
Waterproofing-treated leather exterior and Gore-Tex waterproof vapor permeable liner. Mine have been watertight so far
Cushion-stock footbeds are nothing to write home about but the EVA midsole structure provides good cushioning and shock absorbtion with heavy loads over long periods of time which is when these boots really shine
Flexibility-surprisingly good considering their big mountain capabilities and the stiffness of the outsole. The full shank makes them ideal for edging, shale or side hilling and with crampons but the upper design makes walking glaciers or established hiking trails relatively easy
Tread-Vibram M4 Tech outsole is sticky, aggressive and built for severe terrain and conditions
Volume-medium to full with a roomy forefoot
Width Availability-no and that is a negative in my book but the DL last is wide enough to fit my feet and I normally require an E width
Weight-heavy, my 45s (Mens 11.5US) weigh 2 lbs 9 ozs per boot
Crampon Compatibility-yes, both auto and semi-auto
Quality-very high, "made in Italy"
Break In-yea, some. I first wore mine on a weekend Coues Deer hunt where I did a lot of ups/downs in tough country which was all the "break in" they needed. I've not had so much as a hot spot with these using medium socks

Double nubuck achilles straps add extra protection from sharp edges. Also note the fully padded, glove leather collar and heel bumpers for crampon use.

Firm and supportive for hard work in extreme terrain but comfortable enough for all day use. Note the full height gusset, thick double tongue and the smooth finished interior that helps eliminate hot spots and blisters. There is nothing flimsy about these boots.

I had to wait a long time for these boots but they have proved to be well worth it.  I have used them on Coues deer hunts in the toughest country we have here in Arizona as well as on alpine trips in the snow both with and without crampons and snowshoes. They were outstanding throughout. And for what it's worth, Reed Thorne says style counts, I think they look cool too.

If your search criteria includes; a big, beefy mountain boot with outstanding support that is extremely well made out of the best materials and isn't insulated then you have to take a long hard look at the Scarpa Liskamm GTX.

Remember that proper fit is and always should be the most important consideration when it comes to deciding which boots are best for you and the way you intend to use them.  Make sure yours fit with the socks you expect to wear and that you have a little extra room to accommodate any swelling that may occur over the course of a demanding trip.

Thanks.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd. Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.