La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX - Women's Review

The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX immediately became a favorite of our testing team thanks to its lightweight, comfortable, and stable design. The nubuck leather upper features a treatment that combines with a Gore-Tex membrane to allow water to bead away from the shoe without being absorbed into the interior (or exterior) of the design. The Vibram outsoles, along with extra stabilizers in the heel, make you feel sure-footed on the trail, no matter how technical the terrain. The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX is the perfect choice for those seeking a lightweight hiking boot that provides enough support for day hikes and backpacking trips.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

When performing research at the beginning of our testing period, we read many reviews that commented on the “out of the box” comfort of the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX, and our testing team understands why. These lightweight hiking boots provide a minimal yet effective amount of padding or comfort collars to protect the ankle without including anything excessive that would create heat or hotspots within the boot. We found the sizing to be true to size with a little extra room in the toe box, both in height and width, for those who appreciate some extra wiggle room to accommodate swollen forefeet and toes during a big day on the trail. La Sportiva refers to this feature as their “comfort fit,” which is built with a TXS last and provides additional circumference in the metatarsals and forefoot, which we think allows this boot to be comfortable for those with both wide and narrow feet.

The shoe comes in a lighter color, which limits any heat and discomfort during hikes in the direct sun, and also features perforated fabric on the interior that actually allows the boot to breathe better than most designs that simply advertise breathability. While the nubuck leather upper does soften and gain more flexibility over time, the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX design includes extra spacing and comfort features that supply comfort directly out of the box.

Support

The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX features a tall ankle shaft that measures 6 inches in height from the bottom of the outsole to the top of the ankle. The singular metal lacing hook at the ankle provides enough support without any extra padding to get in the way. The EVA midsole measures roughly two inches in thickness and is combined with La Sportiva's standard ortholite insole for sufficient support underfoot. TPU heel stabilizers, along with the extra stability from the outsole, create a stable base, and the flexible nubuck leather upper provides support without limiting agility within a full range of motion.

While the single metal lacing hook at the ankle does provide a solid base of support, our testing team does prefer two lacing hooks, which better support and stabilize the ankle within the boot. At times, the TX Guide can feel a little loose, and our team found themselves wishing for a little extra stability in the cuff. The minimal insole is also quite thin and worth replacing for those who have an especially high arch or plan to carry an extra-heavy backpack for an extended adventure. Overall, our team found the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX to provide stability and support within a lightweight design.

Traction

The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX design features a Vibram Ecostep EVO outsole along with La Sportiva's proprietary Impact Brake System and Trail Bite heel for maximum grip and traction, no matter how technical the terrain. We love that the design includes 30% recycled content that doesn't seem to sacrifice nor distract from overall performance.

When navigating slippery and popular trails in Yosemite National Park during our spring testing season, our team was impressed by the overall grip and stability, even when walking on significant slope angles. The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX includes a deep, multi-directional lug pattern along with extra stability incorporated into the outsole provides confidence on the trail, especially with the weight of a heavy pack.

Water Resistance

The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX really impressed our testing team during our extensive waterproof tests. We must admit some skepticism at first as the debossed nubuck leather uppers (with a 100% PFC-free leather treatment) looks more stylish than it does waterproof, however, the boot performed better than most, allowing the water to bead away from the upper immediately, and disallowing the leather from absorbing any water into the construction, even after minutes of submersion. The bluesign-certified ePE Gore-Tex waterproof membrane also felt more breathable, perhaps thanks to the perforated fabric within the boot.

These boots provide a flood height that measures around 5 inches, allowing more coverage for those who plan to cross snowfields and flooded streams in the early season. We can't say enough good things about the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX, which exceeded our expectations and provided excellence in waterproof performance without absorbing any moisture into the nubuck leather construction.

Weight

The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX received a high score in this metric thanks to its lightweight design that doesn't skimp on overall performance. Weighing only 1.66 pounds for a US Women's size 8.5, this boot is among the boots we've selected in previous updates as our fast and light performance selections.

The boot also feels lightweight and agile underfoot thanks to the compression EVA with co-molded stabilizing inserts that combine with the TPU Transkinetic EVO heel stabilizers for stability and grip when moving through uneven terrain. Even at a lighter weight than most of its competitors, the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX is still one of the best choices for those considering everything from day hikes to backpacking trips.

Durability

The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX features a durable and well-performing Nubuck leather upper combined with a GORE-TEX extended comfort membrane, and Vibram outsole. All of these materials held up well during testing, barely showing any signs of wear and tear after multiple miles on the trail due to the protective leather treatment.

Even though La Sportiva included high-quality materials in the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX design, we have some concerns to address. Namely, the lacing attachment at the ankle is constructed from a very thin piece of webbing, which also takes on the most tension as you pull the laces tight around your foot. While this tiny piece of webbing is a point of concern, it has yet to break on our testing model, perhaps just good to be aware of as you are tightening your laces before attaching them to the metal lacing hook on the ankle, which appears to be more durable. The design also lacks a more substantial toecap to cover the front of the boot, instead it has a tiny toe cap that is barely visible from above combined with a double overlay of nubuck leather material. Concerns aside, we were impressed by how well the upper performed and would still recommend this boot for those seeking a lightweight boot that's supportive enough for backpacking.

Should You Buy the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX Hiking Boots?

The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX is a hiking boot that prioritizes top performance within a lightweight and stable design. This boot exceeded our expectations in comfort and waterproof performance while providing enough support and stability for those who plan to day hike or backpack. While a little bit of an investment upfront, the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX is worth every penny.

What Other Women's Hiking Boots Should You Consider?

The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX is the perfect choice for those seeking a lightweight, waterproof, and comfortable pair of hiking boots that provide enough support for backpacking adventures. If these boots are a little out of your price range, consider options like the Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP or the Columbia Crestwood that still provide solid performance at a more affordable price. For those seeking a better insulated and waterproof hiking boot, check out the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX. And if you're interested in our top dog when it comes to everything from comfort to durability, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is a great choice, offering a little extra durability than the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX.