One more winter season full of winter mountaineering climbs is about to end in Greece and one of my favourite pieces of equipment will be cleaned up and stored for the upcoming months. This piece of equipment is the High Altitude Mountaineering boot Spantik by La Sportiva.

La Sportiva is well known in the field of mountaineering boots and although the Spantik model has been discontinued, this boot was one of the favourite boots amongst the winter mountaineering people.

The Spantik is perfect for 6000-7000 meter peaks or anywhere that you need a toasty warm performance fit. This is a lighter, warmer more compact alternative to the Nuptse. It is step-in crampon compatible and provides excellent technical climbing capabilities.

The Spantik is exceptionally high tech. Unlike the typical double boot the Spantik is two distinct layers of insulation by design. In other words both the inner boot and the outer shell offer a certain degree of insulation. Not the first attempt at such technology but so far the most successful. That technology is what allows such a “small” profile boot to be so warm in comparison. “Small” might not be the right descriptor there as no question in any size the Spantik is a BIG boot. The innovative lacing system was designed to offer an easier system to use one handed or with gloves on. How well that was accomplished depends on the opinion of the end user. I find it hard to get the boot really laced tight across the instep when I want to cinch it down for harder climbing and eliminate heel lift. But I can, with some effort, get the lace system to work well enough even on my skinny ankles. But it doesn’t eliminate the worry of a broken lace or eyelets.

My personal experience with this boot so far has been positive. The combination of the inner boot and the Outer boot is great and it feels extremely comfortable. Every time I use the Spantiks for a winter climb I feel very confident on each single step I take. Also, in combination with the Grivel G12 fast crampons these boots work really good.

For as long I spend time in alpine environment, I love wearing these boots, though, sometimes I had to wear these boots for the approach too and that was a bit tiring up. For a double boot, the Spantik is very comfortable, but when you have to hike for some kilometres on dry path in order to reach your starting point of the climb, this can be a bit tiring.

The innovative lacing system was designed to offer an easier system to use one handed or with gloves on.

Inner Boot

Many people seem to be wanting to heal mould the inner boot, but personally, I have never felt the need of that. My feet fit perfectly in the 46 Sized Spantik boot. Though, if someone would like to heat mould their inner boots, La Sportiva has released some instructions here.

La Sportiva Spantik Product Information

• WEIGHT: 44.48oz/1261g
• LAST: Nuptse CONSTRUCTION
• OUTER: Board Lasted
• INNER: Slip Lasted
• OUTER BOOT: PU-Tech transparent PU-coated embossed Benecke CeraCom® PUR leatherette/ Water-repellent Lorica® with Antiacqua™ external coating/ Vibram® rubber rand/ Molded TPU ankle backstay reinforcement/ PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam lined with a thermo-reflective aluminum facing coated with an anti-abrasion flockingcoated with an anti-abrasion flocking.
• INNER BOOT: Micro-perforated thermo-formable PE/ Water-repellent Lorica® with Antiacqua™ external coating INSOLE: 5mm thermal structure carbon fiber and aluminum insulation.
• MIDSOLE: TPU/ Dual-density Micropore
• EVA SOLE: Vibram® Montagna
• SIZES: 39-47 (half sizes)