i don't get the reviews below.... i have had mine for a little over 2 years and have used them on enough backpacking/mountaineering/hunting/climbing trips to run the soles down enough for me to get them resoled this april. so i think ive used them more than enough to safely say that they are durable and dont fall apart, though the ones i own have more rubber on the back and sides than on the one pictured, so i think i may have a newer model? anyhow i know i do as much or more mountaineering/backpacking than most people that call themselves "mountaineers" i don't consider myself a mountaineer cause i do other stuff too but if i put that i was a backpacker i thought people might disclaim my review thinking i had lack of experience. i backpack more than mountaineer of course but i most always backpack above tree line so its mostly granite and rocks im walking on anyway. also i don't get what they say about the customer service cause i just called la sportiva a couple weeks ago about cobblers that coult resole my boots and they told me one and will have my sized soles in april, also there is a recommended cobbler list on their website if you can't find it yourself.. also i didn't get the nepals because i hate the gaiter on the back of the boot.

Customer Service

good the 2 times i called them to ask questions.

Awesome boots! Incredibly waterproof and hike and climb great. I don't understand people who write about there La Sportiva boots breaking. I'm going to put a second sole on my Makalus and have beaten the crap out of those for 8 years. I see these boots as being just as tough-only warmer and heavier.

I bought these boots about three years ago as a winter mountaineering boot and they have since replaced my Montrails because they are so comfortable. I have had no problems with quality as it seems many folks have, but anything can happen. I've used them year round on climbs and other than being a tad warm in the summer, have been more than impressed by their performance. Good feel right out of the box and so far decent durablity. Good boot if you climb in colder, but not frigid climates. Not a boot for high altitude or ultra cold expeditions. Great for mixed conditions where a lot of trail approach hiking is required.

Customer Service

Have yet to deal with CS, so I have no idea...

Similar Products Used:

Montrail, Scarpa

Less than one season of use and they fell apart. The rubber flex piece at the ankle ripped away from the leather. Other than that is a comfortable boot that climbs well. But you may only get to try them for a route or two before they fall apart.

Customer Service

Customer Service is terrible. They refused to fix the boots under warranty and could not recommend a cobbler. Failed to return calls and give me any information about the boots they just showed back up at the P.O. with a note. The warranty issue is understandable becasue I did not have a receipt but a boot this expensive should last for years not weeks.

Similar Products Used:

La spotiva K3, Nepal Extreme, Asolo Expediton, Scarpa Inverno.

I bought my boots direct from La Sportiva USA. After first climb, the welt started to peel back off of the toe. Customer service had me send them in. I suggested replacement. They provided repair after five weeks. After a few more climbs, the welt starts peeling off the toe of both boots. I sent them in asking for their replacement and my displeasure. The guy that repaired my boots at La Sportiva wrote me an email and accused me of storing my boots at high temperature. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both my wife and I wrote saying so. "Customer Service" told me that they had no more 45.5 Lhotses in stock and that I would be given my money back. Basically, I was shown to the door. Last time I guy anything from La Sportiva. The boots fit and worked great. That was not an issue. I LIKED the boots!Û

Customer Service

What customer service??

None

None

I bought these boots to fill my needs for mountaineering in the Alps. FIRST pair, the rubber/strech piece on the heel completely ripped apart from the stiching after two weeks of moderate glacier travel and light ice climbing. No problem returning them to the retailer for a new pair. The SECOND pair, the same problem only after only five days of mixed rock and ice climbing around Mont Blanc. I had to continue in these boots for another five days as the weather was to fine to let deteriorating boots stop me. Nothing like 100mph tape and gators to hold things together. I don''t consider my self an extreme climber, but I enjoy mixed climbing on moderate routes. These boots should have held up better in under worse conditions. Nothing like the feeling of being ripped off after shelling out good cash on crap. Returned the SECOND pair to a different retailer (in Stuttgart) and after two weeks waiting on an answer, they said I can chose any type they manufacture. I''m going to the Nepal Extremes as quite a few freinds wear these and have nothing but praise for them. As for the Lhotse boot itself, if it wasn''t for that crap peice of rubber stiched into the heel, it''s great. Comfortable, minimal break in time, good grip/traction on rock, great with crampons, all the things a good boot for mixed climbing should be. Only if they could do something about that rubber peice. My recommendation, spend the extra cash and get the Mountain''s or the Nepal Extreme if you want something that''s warmer.

Customer Service

Good, a little slow on replacement replies, here in Germany.

Similar Products Used:

LaSportiva K3''s

LOVE THESE BOOTS. Been shopping for 6 months for mountaineering boots...for Rainer climb next spring. Tried various plastics...but these gave me a "wow" out-of-the-box experience....felt super-high quality, fit like slippers. I'll let you know more after some serious winter climbs.

One comment on the boot reviews....I'm getting HIGHLY ANNOYED at reading reviews of superfeet insoles in almost every boot review.....I believe this is a marketing ploy by superfeet company....and it throws entire review process into question...makes me wonder if this site is more a marketing trap than a real consumer review site.

Similar Products Used:

None

I LOVE THESE BOOTS. I baught these after my Super 9's started to fall apart after only 3.5 years for weakend use. I bought these becaus my other ones would not be fixed intime for me to go to the Tetons in a week. After tring on several different pair I trie these on, they are amazingly comfy out of the box. Walked around the store for 30min or soa and they felt great. Took them out over the weakend to try to break them in before I leave on Fri. No hot spots, no discofort at all (except my feet were very hot due to insuation, good thing for winter) These boots felt like I was in an old pair of approach shoes. I will post a followup review after I climb some ice this winter and let you know how durabl they are. As for now since I con only give them 5 flaming chilis That is what they get. If they fit buy them.

Customer Service

None yet, hope I do not have too!

Similar Products Used:

Salomon Super 9's rock and ice (great boot for Iceclimbing very stiff...but started coming apart at the seams on the inside of the boot ... (see my review on that site)

I bought these boots at Mountain Gear in Spokane, WA. After much research on the Internet, reading manufacture specs, ads and hype, I decided to drive 180 miles to Spokane to try them on. After trying about 6 different sizes, the salesman was very patient, I started walking the store with my heaviest pair of socks in the size 12 1/2 Lhotse. I normally wear between 11 and 11 1/2, but these boots apparently don't come in wide sizes so I had go way up in size to accomodate my fat feet. I recently experienced the pain of a too narrow boot while climbing Mt St Helens. Never again! After about an hour of walking around the store, climbing all the stairs in the store as well as anything else I could find, lots of funny looks, I decided to buy the big boots. I spent the winter of 2000-2001 hiking and snowshoeing in the Cascades. Weather ranging from cold to really cold. Even though it was a mild winter, there was still lots of snow. The boots felt great all winter. They are not too heavy and do provide some rocker in the sole so they can still be used comfortably on the trail. My feet NEVER got cold even when using a mid weight hiking sock with liner. The laces are very adjustable for different sock and conditions. I added a set of Superfeet insoles that made them even better. The only time my feet have ever been wet was during a late afternoon, hurried decent off Mt Adams in June 2001. The snow got slushy and I did'nt put on my gaiters. Even wet, my feet were relatively comfy. The boots are too warm for summer trail hiking down low. But, up high they can't be beat. If I ever wear them out, I'll definitly buy another pair.
I should also mention I use these boots with my Black Diamond Sabertooth Crampons. So far they have held the crampons well.

Customer Service

Not Yet.

Similar Products Used:

Nike Ascent
Zamberlain Civetta

I have been pondering about a great all around winter boot for ice climbing, snoeshoeing, generalized climbing you name it. I found this boot to be tremendous in all regards. It is light, rugged, great traction, superb craftmanship and teriffic to climb in. They are equally comfortable with crampons on climbing a waterfall or just hiking up the trail. The shape of the soles on these boots make it so easy on your legs while hiking its amazing. IMPORTANT::: Make sure to order the boot a half size bigger than your foot as they are cut small. Although extremely warm with the new goretex style system in it (My feet have never been cold in this boot) its always nice to be able to put on thick warm socks. To sum it up if you prefer a leather boot over plastic then get these plain and simple. They work not only well but incredible!

Customer Service

Very helpful and knowledgeable staff!

Similar Products Used:

Scarpa Invernos, Koflach, Lowa extreme.