Ice Climbing Boots
These are special mountaineering boots designed for ice and high mountain climbing. Crampons are easily attached to this type of boot for a better grip on ice fields and packed snow and steep or vertical ice climbing. Ice climbing boots also have stiff soles to provide support when ice climbing or very steep icy grades. They are built taller, stiffer, and are insulated to withstand extreme cold. There are several types of material ice climbing boots can be made from. Leather, plastic, or synthetic material has given excellent performance. The height and stiffness is attained by use use of a full steel shank. Additionally, carbon fiber has been used by some manufacturers to get the additional stiffness in the sold. While they are fairly stiff, they are not completely rigid like ski boots. A certain amount of flexibility is needed for hiking and snowshoeing.
These boots are designed to be used with ice climbing crampons. Manufacturers add a feature called welts to assist compatibility in wearing crampons. Welts are built into both the toe and heel of the boot like a small platform. This gives the crampon a firm fixture to attach to. These boots are designed to be used in extreme cold and must be insulated sufficiently to protect the climber from frostbite. To achieve this, ice climbing boots have a synthetic insulation integrated into the boot.
There are two types of ice climbing boot insulation.
- Single insulated. Light weight and insulated as a single unit. The insulation is permanently attached to the boot. Since the insulation cannot be removed from single boots, they are not ideally suited for multi-day cold weather excursions.
- Double insulated. This is made with a non-insulated shell and removable insulated liner. Usually there is a removable outer shell and removable liner. The double insulation is for protection during long term exposure.
The versatility of ice climbing boots also makes them useful for other high altitude mountaineering and climbing. They are also used by people who routinely work in cold weather. Ski lift operators, mountain rescue teams, cold weather equipment operators and many more use this type of boot in their profession.
Mens' Ice Climbing Boots
Kayland M11+ Boot - Men's These ice climbing boots keep your feet warm and dry. There is an eVent liner that stops moisture from seeping in but lets your perspiration out. The PrimaLoft insulation is warm and lightweight. Integrated gaiters block ice and spindrift and prevents pants from riding up.
La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo Light GTX - Men's Has Duratherm lining to keep your feet dry and warm. It is made with a combination of Cordura uppers and Vibram rubber rands. This construction gives them long life. The narrow profile is compatible with crampons.
Millet Everest GTX Boot - Men's This is an expedition quality ice boot with a Cordura upper covered by an integrated gaiter. There is a crampon attachment, and a fiberglass/carbon foot bed offers a rigid platform for technical ice front pointing. It has a removable liner made of aluminum to reflect heat back in.
La Sportiva Spantik Boot - Men's The Spantik gives warmth in high-altitude and winter mountaineering conditions. The synthetic outer boots improve flexibility and lessen the weight down to five pounds, one ounce. The liners are heat moldable to give a perfect fit. The unique lace system allows cinching with golves.
La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX Boot - Men's
This has a waterproof breathable membrane, and an insulated lining, plus a durable leather upper. It is very warm. The sole uses the Impact Brake System for excellent traction, and the flex ankle gives the best contact with the surface. The tongue is adjustable and removable.
Scarpa Phantom Lite Boot - Men's This Scarpa ice climbing boot gives you excellent support on technical and ice mixed ice climbs. The insulation is warm and a low-profile gaiter seals water out. The FT last gives strength and endurance to the boot, and it is compatible with crampons.
Scarpa Charmoz GTX Boot - Men's These boots excel on varied ice and alpine terrain. They have waterproof and breathable inserts to keep your feet as dry as possible. It has 3/4 inch length shanks for comfortable walking on the approach. Rigid soles and flexible uppers give support for ice climbing.
La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Boot - Men's The Trango is super light at two pounds, 10 ounces. The membrane is guaranteed waterproof and breathable. It can be made to fit tight with the lacing system using lace lock, giving flexible support and stability for crampon front pointing.
La Sportiva Makalu Boot - Men's This is one of the most popular alpine leather ice boots. They provide a lot of support while hiking with a heavy load. The Makalu has full crampon compatibility and also work well for glacier travel. The Vibram soles provide excellent traction on snow, mud, dirt, and rock.
La Sportiva Glacier Boot - Men's The Glacier Men's Boot is heavy duty and can handle a wide variety of terrain, from snowfields to glacier. Crampon compatible, these ice climbing boots give a little more flex and rocker than other heavy duty boots. They are very comfortable on hikes with heavy loads.
La Sportiva Baruntse Boot - Men's The Baruntse boot has a PU-coated, two-layer insulating outer boot and a removable, thermo-moldable EVA inner boot. It holds in warmth and blocks out snow and cold on high-altitude climbs. There is a thermo-reflective aluminum layer in the shell that conserve heat.
Mammut Monolith GTX Boot - Men's The Monolity GTX is tough and flexible and can handle the approach as well as the technical pitches. It has a Gore-Tex membrane that seals out moisture, and the crampon-compatible Vibram sole. The Hybrid Shell provides balance between support and flex.
Womens' Ice Climbing Boots
Kayland MXT Boot - Women's The last has an enhanced rocker design that helps with forward motion in each step. This reduces strain on your legs. The vent membrane works hard to block moisture and allow excess heat to escape. These ice climbing boots are ergonomically shaped with internal padding to help hold the heel in place.
Kayland Apex Trek Boot - Women's The Apex Trek Boot is light weight, built with a resilient leather and synthetic upper and lined with waterproof breathable eVent. The large rubber rand makes this boot ideal for use in scree ice and crampons. The composite insoles flex ergonomically for natural push-off and torsion stability.
La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Boot - Women's Features low weight using a combination of synthetic leather and waterproof Cordura. In addition to being very light they are tough. Plus these boots have the Vibram soles for serious snow performance and newmatic crampon compatibility when ice climbing.
La Sportiva Glacier Boot - Women's This glacier boot is heavy duty but feels light to wear. It has more flex and rocker than other heavy duty boots and it is very comfortable for long hiking, handling diverse terrain easily. The Glacier will even perform light mountaineering and ice climbing comfortably.
La Sportiva Makalu Boot - Women's They have a women's-specific fit. They are made with durable leather material and Vibram soles. They are fully crampon compatibile making them an excellent ice climbing boot, glacier travel and single-day alpine trips.
Kayland M11+ Boot - Women's Excellent for climbing a mixed routes. They keep your feet warm and dry with eVent liners that stop moisture They are warm, and lightweight. There is a compressible PrimaLoft insulation that similar to down, with the added benefit that it insulates even when wet.
La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX Boot - Women's The Nepal EVO is a heavy-duty leather boot. It has lightweight insulation and a waterproof breathable membrane for excellent protection. It has a contoured fit for any female foot and has an adjustable and removable tongue. The Impact Brake System adds traction on unstable terrain.
La Sportiva Karakorum Boots - Women's The La Sportiva Women's Karakorum Mountaineering and ice bootgives the support and rugged durability for difficult climbing and high-altitude use. The 3D Flex system helps keep your footing on unsure terrain and gives protection to ankles while remaining flexible.
Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX Boot - Women's The Women’s Mont Blanc GTX Mountaineering Boot has a classic design and the protection of Gore-Tex waterproof and breathable material make it comfortable in austere weather. This boot is very comfortable and stable on steep, snow or ice climbing terrain.