Our verdict
Mountaineering in the Aequilibrium Top GTX from La Sportiva is as fast-paced as it is reassuring. It's a gaitered single boot that will take you to elevations without leaving your legs exhausted after the ascent. And its prowess on climbs is matched by its craftiness on the trail, making it among the most well-rounded mountaineering kicks out there.
Pros
- Warm in below-zero temps
- Remarkably waterproof
- La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX
- Great transitions on hikes
- Prevents leg fatigue
- Versatile performance
- Surprisingly flexible
- Add a product
Cons
- Problematic zipper
- Too restrictive
- The mighty heel of the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX
is something you can buy instead of the Aequilibrium Top GTX. Also, go the
The La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX is a sleek climbing boot built for mobility. Purchase it if:
- Mountaineering boots that double as approach shoes are what you're after.
- You wish to have more downhill control.
- Roomy it is not.
Why trust us
Devoid of negative rap about its fit and closure, the Aequilibrium Top GTX: A downhill delight is something you can buy instead of the Aequilibrium Top GTX. Also, go the La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTX route if you want something that's not as sweat-inducing.
Roomy it is not
Many mountaineers love the coziness of the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX. It's "toasty warm in cold conditions," says one of them. "The boots kept us warm in -10 C temps," says another. Yet one more reviewer says that it's "perfect for almost everything Colorado has to offer in snowy conditions."
Why trust us
It's been reported that the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX can get pretty stuffy. One experienced mountaineer blames it on the boot's built-in gaiter, saying that it "led to excessively sweaty feet."
Aequilibrium Top GTX: A downhill delight
According to a critic, this kick delivers great braking power on slopes. "The Double Heel’s protruding lug noticeably slowed my descent," says he.
Wetness has no place in it
Based on reports, the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX has excellent moisture protection. It's "completely waterproof," says one mountain adventurer.
Terrific on the trail
"These boots rock if your intended use is light winter mountaineering," says a veteran mountaineer. That said, it also shines on the trail, with a nature traveler saying that their feet "rolled smoothly with the terrain, like a baby in a cradle."
The mighty heel of the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX
An expert is quite stoked about the Double Heel of the featured boot. Thanks to its design, excessive heel strikes are significantly lessened, delaying muscle fatigue as a result.
A not-so-super zipper
The zipper of the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX, according to quite a number of reviewers, can be a chore to use. "It got stuck from the first use," says a climber. "It took me almost 10 minutes to unblock the zipper in freezing weather," says the same person.
Yet another mountaineer has beef on its durability. "The zipper split WHILE hiking in Moab," said he.
Something impressively flexible
Performance versatility is among the Aequilibrium Top GTX's main draws. This quality may be linked to its bendy construction. A non-professional tester says that the shoe is "more flexible and lighter than traditional mountaineering options." One of the options he used for comparison was the Nepal Cube.
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The Aequilibrium Top GTX might be too snug for mountaineers with semi-bulky feet. One climber describes it as "stupidly narrow."
