Review Date
November 20, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: bret carmody(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from san francisco

Price Paid:  $150.00 at The North Face

Summary:
The K3 are a fantastic boot I have put three summits of Mt. Shasta from two different routes. These boots are plenty warm to 10 degrees F. These boots offer the right amount of flex, but lateral stiffness for crampon compatibility. I would recomend these boots for anyone that wants a versitile mountaineering boot that has enough insulation to for light winter camping, or snowy moderate winter summits.

Customer Service:
None needed La Sportiva Rocks Loved The K3's SOOOOOO much I forked out for a pair of Nepal Extremes

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
March 15, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: johnbeanbone(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Maryville, TN, USA

Price Paid:  $150.00 at geartrade.com

Summary:
I bought these boots for winter backpacking in the Smokies because my feet were getting cold in my all leather Scarpa Rio's. Because they are somewhat taller than typical hiking boots they did take a little getting used to. However, my first trip out was 10 miles out in the snow and they were great. Much easier on the feet right out of the box than the Scarpas. These are excellent backpacking boots with a heavy pack and are very warm. I did NikWax them a few times with the liquid type and they were flawless on a very muddy 8 miler. Mine were brand new 99 models that I got a few months ago but if you can find a pair somewhere, I highly recommend this boot. Have yet to use them in warm weather but I'm sure they'll be fine as the thinsulate does a good job of wicking moisture from the foot.

Customer Service:
N/A

Similar Products Used:
Scarpa Rio
Vasque Alpine GTX

Review Date
July 2, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Pavlo(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Canada

Summary:
Compared to many other mountaineering boots, these are fairly lightweight at about 4 lbs. They are made of really good leather that is one piece which makes them great when in really wet and sticky situations. They high ankle support was great and the stiff sole wasn't too stiff for hiking! I hiked 20 miles in the Adirondacks for their first use and I had no blisters and they were great for trail use! They kept me from falling and when we encountered steeper terain, i took advantage of the stiff sole and they climbed like a champ! Because of the high ankle support, they did cause some pain in my shin area because when my foot flexed the boots resisted a little bit and after the 3rd day i really felt it! I cant complain thow, because it was the first run for the boots and they must be broken into! I had seam sealed all stiched and cemented points all around the perimiter and nikwaxed them and for the full 3 days of thundershowerd muddy hike, my boots were bone dry inside and even with the insulation, they were never overheated!
Don't let the insulation scare you away from this boot! because you will only feel it during the winter when it works.
Now that they have discontinued this boot, you can get good deals on them just like i did! so go get a pair because you wont regret it!

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
December 19, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: mica jones (Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from kennwick,WA USA

Price Paid:  $280.00 at barrabes

Summary:
2 year old pair in great shape after multi approaches/climbs in north cascades.a bit narrow for my 747 of a foot.No single leather is warm in my humble opinion, but some folks are hardier than others.I got a new pair of Vasque H2's and they aren't as flashy but are the superior boot(again IMHO)Although maybe a wee bit less rigid which is good for the long approaches in the northwest.overall, the K3's are an exellent investment for anything in the lower 48.

Customer Service:
nope,no need.Italian boot tech triumphs again.

Similar Products Used:
vasque h2,koflach verts,asolo 8000's,others

Review Date
December 7, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Travis Weiss(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Newport, RI

Price Paid:  $310.00 at direct from LaSportiva

Summary:
I LOVE these boots. I didn't have trouble breaking them in and they've held up very well. I do a lot of winter hiking in the Whites and found them to be suitable for everything but summer hiking. The amount of support they provide is absolutely incredible! I do get strange looks when I wear them around town (when it snows)or in the fall before the snow starts piling up in Tucks. I would recommend them to anyone who appreciates the great fit of leather boots over plastic. My only problem isn't with my boots, it's with EMS Climbing School or the A.M.C. as they won't let me wear them for ice climbing classes; they favor ill fitting, beat up, plastic rentals. I am quite confident that the boots can handle it (they have!). They were definately worth the price. Do be aware that they are a little tricky for multi-day hikes or winter camping. You have to sleep with them inside your bag to dry them out and keep them warm. I made the mistake of leaving them outside my bag on a warm night that turned incrediblely cold by morning. I think it was close to a 1/2 hour bfore I could feel my toes after I put them on. This isn't a problem with fit, insulation, or wear-it's how you use 'em. The orange color is fun too!

Customer Service:
Never had to call them.

Similar Products Used:
Koflach Paras, Degre, and I own a pair of K. Actis Expe for multi day winter stuff.