Customer Reviews

Scarpa Men's Kailash GTX Hiking Boot,Pepper/Stone,43.5 EU (US Men's 10 1/3 M)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Scarpa Kailash is an amazing all purpose mid weight boot, I started checking into them after they received excellent reviews in last year's Backpacker Gear Guide and eventually bought a pair. There was a small bit of hesitancy surrounding this purchase since I rarely buy new boots. I don't have the budget to be dropping a few hundred bucks every season to keep up with the latest trends so durable gear is a must. Thankfully I was not let down and they lived up to the hype, amazingly comfortable right out of the box and incredibly durable they were perfect for general use and mid weight hikes even over longer distances. The Gore-Tex liner does help when it comes to water proofing but if you're going into deep snow or extremely wet conditions (or any kind of mountaineering) you may want to consider stepping up to the Barun which is Scarpa's light weight mountaineering boot and the Kailash cousin. (I should point out the Kailash does dry quickly thanks to its design and holds out 99% of the water; I'm just a little bit obsessive when it comes to that.) So if you're looking for a boot that will take you through three seasons comfortably with a lot of durability and a low price tag then this is the boot for you. I have a pair and have no intention of trading them in anytime soon. I also learned recently that they are going to be this year's boot of the year for Backpacker Magazine yet again, for whatever that matters to you.

These boots are just what I expected, and more! I am from New Zealand, and have had the pleasure of wearing out more than a few pairs of tramping boots over the years, so I had a good idea of what I was after. I checked out the reviews on these boots on several sites, and managed to find a dealer in my area so was able to try some on in the shop before commiting to a purchase.

The Scarpa brand has a good reputation, using good materials that will clock up the miles without too much fuss. I have quite narrow feet, yet these boots fit like a glove! The longest I have worn these boots for in one go was about three hours or so, on a nice hike up, and then back down a hill. The area I hike in is a good test on boots as the terrain changes a lot. You can usually expect a nice mix of mud, rock and clay. The soles on these boots have plenty of bite, so the mud is not a problem, and the same goes for the clay etc. They also grip to rock rather well, and the thickness of the lugs means that it should be some time before they need re-soling. The ankle support is supurb. I haven't had the pleasure of using these with a heavy pack yet, but I felt really sure-footed on the hillside with these things on. On a steep climb, and again on the steep decent they worked like a good boot should. There is enough room in the front of the boot to prevent any problems with sore toes too.

I have only used these on short hikes so that I can "break them in" as is usually the case. To be honest though, at a push you could probably get away with using them on a longer hike straight out of the box! They are an extremely comfortable boot, not to mention extremely light. They actually look pretty good to, with or without mud!!

I purchased these online through amazon. They had the best deal, plus the fact that once again, they won me on service! Thanks again Amazon!!

I find myself in complete agreement with Jeff Barge's review...

They are a really good boot, I use them in a very hot and sandy environment. This boot does a good job keeping my feet comfortable with good (not great but pretty good) air flow, even with very high (avg'ing over 110F and arid) ground temperatures.

Why 4 instead 5? It is because they are pretty good but not perfect. The boot did not ever really form to my foot even after months of constant wear. Also there something a little off in the way the toe fits, not enough to saying something bad about the boot, but when you ware the boot 18+ hours everyday it feels a little off. I would not want to run any distant in them either, but for walking and hiking they are fine (note I have only use the boot on relatively flat (but broken) ground).

NOTE: In my case the boot sizes run just a little small, so if you normally a 10.5in i would suggest and 11in (EU 44.5)

I purchased these hiking shoes for walks in the woods and some moderate mountain hikes. I have very weak ankles, and needed a shoe that would give me good ankle support. So far I have found these shoes to be very comfortable, and the size that I ordered fit as expected. So far I can strongly recommend this hiking shoe.

These guys were great right out of the box. I virtually had no "break-in" period. The boots were a good fit right out of the box. I bought a half size smaller than my normal street shoe and the fit ended up being perfect. Great light weight hiker with good traction. Did some 3rd and 4th class rock scrambling and they seemed to grip this terrain well. A very comfortable shoe......I can see why they won Backpackers gear award.

Excellent price for a top product, The color and size meets my expectations. The track process wad on time and I very happy for this purchase.

Early comments only. I have had the boots about 2 weeks now, but due to a broken leg I am only wearing one boot at present. It was more like slipping on a glove than putting on a boot. The fit was good and the feel great. Good ankle protection (a must going forward as I have a broken leg and ankle). The sole gives protection but allows good feedback from the ground. No break-in required. I have only used the boot around the suburbs so far, but very I am pleased. I am confident it will be good for my foot as I rehabilitate my left leg over the coming weeks and months.

First-rate Italian craftsmanship, beautiful finish.

A bit lighter than the Zamberlan Rise and Steep boots, but the Scarpa has a little less ankle support (the Zamberlan are hard to beat for ankle protection). The Scarpa is mid weight hiking boot, while the Zamberlan are a heavy hiking boot or a light backpacking boot. Both Scarpa and Zamberlan boots are outstanding.


THE KAILASH FAMILY OF BOOTS

3 boots share a common ancestry based on the Kailash. They are the Scarpa Nangpa-La XCR, the Kailash and the Bhutan. Each shares the same Scarpa BX last, Vibram® Hi-Trail Lite sole, Comfort-Flex insole and Polyurethane/EAV midsole.

Men's boots also come in a BXX last, a wider last, designated by W in European sizing and the E in US shoe sizes. Availability can vary between countries for the BXX last.

From lightest to heaviest they are: Nangpa-La XCR, Kailash and the Bhutan.

The Nangpa-La XCR has a Cordura and Suede upper and a pair weighs 1180 grams. The Kailash is made of mainly Suede and weighs 1240 grams a pair. The big brother Bhutan is made of Nubuck leather and weighs 1420 grams. Weights based on a boot size of 42 (European).

The Scarpa Barun GTX is step up from the Bhutan for backpacking rather than hiking, more of a half brother or sister. It has a different insole and sole but otherwise similar to the Bhutan, but slightly heavier at 1460 grams and can be fitted with a crampon.

I recently purchased the SCARPA Kailash GTX hiking boots and I must say, I wasn't sure if they'd be worth the hype. However, when I took them out of the box and put them on I was blown away. They were extremely comfortable without needing to break them in. They fit like a glove. The aggressive tread on the sole gives me the confidence to know that I have a good footing wherever I walk. I puchased these boots for my Afghanistan deployment to replace my desert boots and issued Danners and I won't be going back. I recommend them to anyone who cares to spend a little bit of money to take care of their feet.

The SCARPA Kailash is an outstanding boot for back country travels, especially with an actual load on your back. I wore the boots on a week long trip in the Pecos Wilderness with a 35-40 pound pack and was impressed each day with the light weight, comfort, and performance on a variety of trail conditions. The boots proved their waterproof qualities, but breathability was excellent and my feet never felt steamy or overheated (temps were in the 50's to 80's). Even the laces were soon a favorite. Tie a simple knot in the morning and the boots stay tied all day. Sounds simple, but having experienced a rash of "Houdini" like laces of late I was impressed. One trip doesn't provide much of a basis for judging durability, but the construction appears very solid and I experienced no warning signs of future problem areas. I did pick up one blister on my right foot. I was not surprised given my personal fit challenges for that foot; my left foot was comfortable from day one. When I removed the insole the problem went away and comfort was fine for the rest of the trip. There is no seam on the foot bed and I did not miss the stock insoles at all. If you do need an aggressive orthotic insole the vertical volume of the boot might be a concern you need to consider. While not cheap, the Kailash boots are a great value for a high performing backcountry boot.