REASONS TO BUY
Exceptional climbing ability
Supportive
Great for covering distance in an alpine environment
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Too stiff for an average hiker
La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX Review
A technical hiking boot that excels in mountain environments. A specialized tool, this is not an all-around model
Credit: La Sportiva
RELATED: Best Hiking Boots for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX boot is a hybrid mountaineering-hiking boot that performs admirably in technical mountain terrain. With grippy rubber and a stiff sole that is capable of accepting a crampon, these are excellent climbers both on rock and moderate snow. They are very supportive while carrying heavy loads, despite being sub-three pounds. Fully waterproof, they offer year-round protection from the elements. These boots are best for the technical hiker who needs the performance of several pairs of footwear while only wanting to bring one. The Trango Tech is equal parts approach shoe, hiking boot, and mountaineering boot, and while somewhat of a niche product, it is an impressive boot worth consideration for those who spend significant time scrambling through alpine environments.
Editor's Note: This product review was updated on February 23, 2022, with additional comparison information and buying recommendations.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Hiking Boot |  Best for Mountain Climbing | Best Support |  Best Bang for the Buck | |
| Price | $299 List $299.00 at Backcountry | $179.93 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $268.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $205.22 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A stiff-soled hiking boot that is inspired by mountaineering boots. Great in the alpine, but otherwise overkill | This high-top boot is one of the most stable we tested, and with plush cushioning is perfect for big backcountry missions | For hikers venturing off trail into rocky or snowy terrain, this boot offers stability and traction that no other boot does | This flagship hiking boot is our first recommendation for a hiking and backpacking boot, achieving remarkable performance in all terrain types and conditions | This inexpensive boot is super comfortable and is a great all-around option |
| Rating Categories | La Sportiva Trango... | Hoka Kaha 2 GTX | Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | La Sportiva Trango... | Hoka Kaha 2 GTX | Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... |
| Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) | 2.90 lbs | 2.77 lbs | 2.65 lbs | 3.27 lbs | 2.44 lbs |
| Upper | QB3 waterproof fabric, thermo-tech injection coating | Waterproof nubuck leather | 1.8mm suede perwanger | Leather and nylon | Pigskin leather, mesh |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular, wide |
| Waterproof Lining | Gore-Tex Performance Comfort | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | Waterproof membrane |
| Midsole | PU Light and PU protective skin w/ heel TPU crampon insert | 2-density CMEVA (rubberized EVA) | PU + 3D EVA-MP | EnergyCell | Super Rebound Compound |
| Boot Type | Lightweight mountaineering boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot |
| Last Board/Shank | Trango | Not specified | BZ last | 4D Chassis | Molded nylon |
| Sole | Vibram La Sportiva Cube | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Vibram Drumlin / Mont | Contagrip TD | Vibram TC5+ |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Trango Tech GTX is a burly boot. Not necessarily so when compared to the three-season mountaineering boot category, but when compared to other midweight hiking boots, most definitely.
Performance Comparison
Glaciated approach with a rock scramble at the end? The Trango Tech GTX is up for the challenge!
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Comfort
The burliness of this boot translates to amazing performance on climbing and technical hiking objectives, but it also makes them a bit harder to break in. These are comfortable out of the box in terms of fit, with a medium volume sizing, but when snugly laced around the foot, they are not as forgiving as other models, and the stiff sole feels less comfortable when on the trail for miles at a time.
But think about the difference between driving a sleek Porsche 911 and a Cadillac - you're going to give up some comfort in the race car, but you do so in favor of vastly improved performance. Rocky, alpine, technical trails involving 3rd and 4th class climbing are where the comfort-for-performance tradeoff is clearly worth it. The stiff soles that aren't very comfortable on flat, smooth trails protect your feet in rocky terrain, which is actually more comfortable in this environment. Comfort is contingent upon the terrain, exemplified with this boot.
We think these are a reasonably comfortable boot for hiking, and they protect the foot well. The stiffness of the sole helps increase comfort, though, as the terrain gets rougher.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Support
These are very stable boots. We feel in total control while hiking and climbing in these boots, thanks to a snug lacing system that makes the upper feel like it is part of the foot, rather than allowing the foot to slide and twist inside. Offering a very stable edging platform based on a Trango 2 last, they feel precise and confident. The tall 7.25-inch cuffs give great support around the ankles, making them useful in off-trail situations. Torsionally very stiff, they maneuver through rocky terrain quite well.
The sole is stiff enough to edge in but can smear as well, making them more versatile for climbing than the average mountain boot.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Traction
We can't get over how well these boots climb! Featuring the same Vibram Mulaz rubber compound found on many high-performance, lightweight mountaineering boots, they can travel effortlessly through many varied surface conditions. On the approach, they hold their own on the trail, easily tracking over muddy, slick, and wet surfaces, but off-trail is where they really begin to shine. Meant for technical endeavors, the Trango Tech GTX finds its stride in 3rd and 4th class terrain where rock and snow climbing may be encountered. In these situations, they are one of the top performers in this review.
If you want to, you can attach a semi-automatic crampon to the heel welt of these boots.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Water Resistance
By including a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membrane, these boots do a great job of keeping water on the outside where it belongs. And thanks to a tall ankle cuff that has this waterproof-breathable membrane sewn in all the way up to the top, it boasts an impressive flood height. We did not experience any issues with water seeping in. Relating to durability, though, the fabric on the sides of the upper are susceptible to wear. Over time and if worn in rough terrain, we expect this to be the first area that would start letting in moisture.
We stood in stream water 6 inches deep and had no leakage issues.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Weight
The Trango Tech GTX weighs in at 2.9 pounds in US men's size 11. This is almost twice the weight of the lightest hiking boot we reviewed, but it is by no means the heaviest boot in our review. It is also much lighter than some equivalent lighter weight mountaineering boots, and so judged on its merits as well as its weight, it is a good choice.
Durability
As noted above, these are light boots made from light materials. The upper is comprised of proprietary QB3 Waterproof fabric with Thermo-Tech injection coating, meaning that they are very high-tech, but don't offer the same durability that full-grain leather boots do. When abraded, this fabric has a tendency to fray and wick water in. It is worth being careful if you plan on climbing in harsh terrain.
The fabric upper is our biggest concern for the long term durability of these boots.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Should You Buy the La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX?
The Trango Tech GTX is an expensive, niche hiking boot, or a relatively inexpensive mountain boot, depending on how you look at it. This is one of the best boots when it comes to technical terrain, making it a perfect choice for hikers that may venture out onto challenging cross-country routes that may see travel over rock, snow, and ice.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
If you're in the market for a tough boot that can go between moderate and alpine terrain, this is a great option. We'd also recommend the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX, which is also designed for some snow travel and rock scrambling but scores a bit higher overall, especially in the durability metric. If you don't need a boot quite this burly, the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX is an overall excellent hiking boot and our favorite model.
—
Ryan Huetter
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