La Sportiva Boulder X - Women's Review

Even though the Boulder X is one of the most popular shoes out there, we wanted to give it a fair trial. We put it through rigorous side-by-side testing, and our conclusion was similar to some of our previous opinions. Although the Boulder X is not a top contender in terms of climbing ability, this shoe remains a workhorse of a hiker, comfortable for all-day wear, and one of the best approach shoes in terms of value.

Performance Comparison

Climbing Ability

Whether you're hiking up alpine peaks or hopping over talus, we want to feel confident in our shoes' ability to edge, smear, and jam. With that in mind, the Boulder X wouldn't be our first pick. It's bulky, and the design of the shoe doesn't allow much precision while climbing. The shoe is great for approaching the base of an alpine climb or hiking to the crag, but we wouldn't want to scramble with these in the mountains.

The Boulder X earned one of the lowest scores in this review for its climbing ability. Our testing team was unimpressed with the edging capabilities of this shoe. The fit is more akin to a mountaineering boot than a climbing shoe, and while it can smear better than an average shoe, the toe isn't great for edging on small holds.

Additionally, the fit cushions well enough that there is hardly any sensitivity in the toe, making it more difficult to trust what you're standing on. On top of that, the front of the shoe is so wide that crack climbing just isn't happening. While it might make for a decent off-width shoe, we generally found that this wouldn't be our pick for any mandatory climbing.

Hiking Comfort

For this review, we separated comfort and support into different metrics, knowing that we had a lot of ground to cover. For comfort, we looked at materials, lacing, and sole stiffness to get a picture of the general coziness of each product. The Boulder X excelled here, earning the highest score out of any in this review for its plush interior and rigid build. We reached for these shoes first if the approach didn't require technical terrain, whether we were hiking one mile or twelve. But we relied on this shoe's ability to keep our feet happy mile after mile.

The first thing we noticed about the Boulder X was the cozy upper. With a super comfy heel and tongue, we felt snug as a bug in a rug. On top of the leather exterior, everything about this shoe screams all-day comfort. It's more breathable than we anticipated, and the lacing system makes for a highly customizable fit. We like to recognize products that let the user decide what's appropriate, and we appreciate that the laces of the Boulder X reach far down the foot so it can be cinched up for technical sections of trail or loosened up for casual wear.

Weight and Packability

The weight of an approach shoe is crucial for multi-pitch climbing, and a slim design helps with portability. We know, however, that weight often comes at the cost of other factors, and never has this been clearer than with the Boulder X. At a whopping 14.3 ounces, this shoe is one of the heaviest of any we tested — but don't let that scare you away!

Yes, weight is important, but it all depends on what you are using the approach shoe for. We found the Boulder X unfit for clipping to your harness and a stretch for carrying up a route in your daypack. They are rather bulky, and fitting them in a small pack would be frustrating in and of itself. However, when compared to any of our award-winning women's hiking shoes, the Boulder X is spot on. If you just need an approach shoe to get from one point to another, then these will do a great job.

Support

Related to the comfort metric we described above, our testers used the support category to test how well a shoe protects its foot from the elements. The Boulder X is stable, secure, and burly, earning it the highest score out of any product in this review. With a thick, heavy-duty sole and leather upper, the Boulder X is ready to handle whatever the elements throw at it. This shoe was our go-to when the going got tough, and we found it to be an excellent choice for long missions deep in the mountains.

The snug fit gave us excellent arch support, and there's no shoe we'd rather have for spending hours upon hours on our feet. The sole is stiff and built for hiking, unlike some more climbing-focused products in this review. We found the fit of the Boulder X to be friendly and comfortable for those with a wider toe box.

Construction Quality

Shoes eventually wear out, but ideally, those shoes see you through years of adventure. Even though the Boulder X is one of the heaviest shoes we've tested, it's also one of the burliest. Designers definitely didn't skimp on materials – it has an all-leather upper and full toe rand, both of which contribute to the longevity of these shoes. These shoes are well constructed, and with over a year of repeated use and abuse, we haven't noticed any abnormal wear or sole delamination. The Boulder X is certainly a shoe that you can rely on.

Should You Buy the La Sportiva Boulder X?

The Boulder X's scores in climbing ability and weight are low compared to its competitors, but we find that most climbers don't spend nearly as much time approaching over technical terrain as they do on manicured trails. For the average climber, the Boulder X will support your feet and keep them comfortable, all for a great price.

What Other Approach Shoes Should You Consider?