Salomon North America Super Mountain 9 Snow & Ice

Review Date
March 16, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Ev_Cushing ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $100.00 at Next Adventure, Port

Summary:
Ouch! The break-in is horrible. If you buy these boots allow at least a month or two of REAL use before they stop breaking YOU in. I got them really cheap and they're excellent technical climbers, but I still have a really hard time wearing them for more than one day in a row and it's been a few months. Maybe I'm just a wuss but I keep having to retreat to the comfort of plastics.

Similar Products Used:
Koflach Degrees and La Sportiva Lady Makalu's

Review Date
November 6, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Robert Colville(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Macclesfield, Cheshire, United

Price Paid:  $95.00 at www.rockrun.com

Summary:
I have had these boots now for a couple of months and I must say that I'm impressed with the results. They are very warm and supportive, but I'm not entirely convinced that they're rigid. I find that the plastic rand is a little prone to being scratched off on rough rock, but otherwise fine. I love the leather - 3.4mm is the thickest I've ever heard of, it certainly is protective.
However, I do find the tounge a little tight, but it may just be my feet. Overall great deal (especially as I got them at less than half priceas new!!!)

Customer Service:
Havn''t had any problems so far.

Similar Products Used:
None! First time 'rigid' leather boot.

Review Date
July 22, 2001

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Matt(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Salt Lake City

Price Paid:  $350.00 at IME

Summary:
I bought these boots about 3.5 years ago. the Fit was good and the feel is very stiff, these were great for Ice climbing, However they do suffer from a couple of draw backs (at least for me)
the first and most serious one is that the started coming unstiched on the inside of the boots (at the ankle) and in the back by the pull tabs. The soles are a little soft mine are pretty chewed up. and on the inside where the sensafit (neopreen piece) attaches to the boot it has rooled over and I get blisters on the bikeside of my foot. I am just a weakend warrior so they have had a few good hard miles on them, but for the price there life is to short.

Customer Service:
I am talking to them know about fixing them.....So far it has not been the best I have encoutered

Similar Products Used:
La Sportivia (my new ones the best) Lhotse and Lowa Civetta (plastic yuk)

Review Date
December 28, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: STW(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Boston MA

Price Paid:  $300.00 at online -

Summary:
Very stiff! seamingly stiffer than other leather ice climbing boots. Therefore, they front-point exceedingly well! Also therefore, they are less comfortable for hiking and lower angle ice. However, they are still more comfortable than any plastic boots I've ever owned. Lots of people have had problems with the internal pull-tab lacing system. So far, I have been lucky. My one nit: the boots have a sticky rubber rand around most of the boot, but a hard plastic section near the front that protects the boot from the crampon bail. This overhangs the sole just a tiny bit and hinders rock climbing/edging performance a bit. It's a minor flaw in an otherwise great technical climbing boot. On top of everything else, they're quite warm (even though my model doesn't have any extra insulation - like the 'thermic' model) as long as I wear a decent gaiter.

Similar Products Used:
Garmont Fusion, Now trying the scarpa freney - looks awesome so far

Review Date
September 20, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: joan collins(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from uk

Price Paid:  $240.00 at ellis brigham, uk

Summary:
This is a stiff, heavy, well-constructed boot, ideal for lower-temperature use. The lacing system allows great adjustability, but I had to replace the insoles with Superfeet to get a good fit. The rocker sole makes it comfortable for long walk-ins. On the downside, the bulging, smooth plastic rand holds the sole away from the rock, so doesn't help at all with grip. This is most apparent when edging, or without crampons. This lack of sensitivity, combined with the stiffness, makes it less than ideal for high-grade ice. But for heavy duty winter use on easy to moderate snow/ice routes, it's a winner.

Similar Products Used:
Scarpa Vega, Scarpa Freney, Koflach Viva Soft