Salomon North America Super Mountain 9 Thermic

Review Date
August 3, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Mark Whaling(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Simi Valley, CA, USA

Price Paid:  $219.00 at Sierratradingpost.com

Summary:
Nice boots, much less clunky than plastic but still rigid enough for steep climbing. I have not done any vertical ice climbing in them yet but I am definitely going to try them this winter. They are warm, too warm for summer hiking or summer glacier approaches. Wearing only a thin pair of socks and leaving the top loose, I am able to survive the heat without blisters. After reaching the snow, they are excellent. I am sure they'll be awesome in the winter time, especially with a pair of supergaiters. These boots are about mid-range in width. They were slightly too small for my foot but I liked them so much that I took them to a leather store for stretching. They are a perfect fit now. Not too long of a break-in time either.

I like these boots over plastics for their excellent performance on hiking/scramble approaches. I think they'll be every bit as warm as plastics too. We'll see...

Customer Service:
Like the other reviewer said, they have no waterproofing instructions or (easily available) customer service line. I used Nikwax Nubuck & Suede leather waterproofing treatment which seems to work fine.

Similar Products Used:
Scarpa invernos, flexible cloth/leather hiking boots

Review Date
March 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Andy Glick(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Bala Cynwyd Pa, USA

Price Paid:  $395.00 at Mountain Gear

Summary:
My old Koflach Ultra's (circa 1984) cracked this season so I needed a new pair of winter boots. I tried a pair of Verticals but didn't like the way that they fit at all. I like the Salomon's a lot, they fit well and they are very warm for single boots. The thinsulate lining really works. I'm wearing size 12.5 US, and these are the 1st pair of climbing boots that I can fit with super gaiters. They are comfortable and they climb like a champion, particularly when compared to plastic. Really precise footwork, and unlike my old huge plastic boots, I can even drive in them. Right now, March of 2001, Mountain Gear's got them on sale for around $269, so I'm kicking myself for the money that I spent, but even at retail they are really worth it.

Customer Service:
I can't figure out how to reach a human at Salomon. They have a pretty glitzy web site, but I can't seem to find a phone number, no matter how hard I look. I want to find out what waterproofing they recommend, and what "heat moldable conformable insole" means.

Similar Products Used:
Koflach Ultra