Our verdict
Built for winter use and abuse, the Nepal Extreme mountaineering boot is certainly one of the best La Sportiva Nepal. It’s sought-after for its outstanding durability, stability, traction, comfort, and warmth it provides. However, it is a bit heavy for its class. It also takes a little time to break it in. Overall, it’s one tough mountaineering boot that is truly worth the extra money.
Pros
- Track and field
- Comfortable footbed
- Beefy construction
- Superb traction
- Warm
- Stiff and supportive
Cons
- Somewhat heavy
- La Sportiva Nepal Extreme notable features
Who should buy the La Sportiva Nepal Extreme
Stiff and supportive:
- La Sportiva Nepal Extreme.
- La Sportiva Nepal.
- A boot that bites the surface well such as pure ice is what you prefer.
La Sportiva Nepal Extreme notable features
Look past the Nepal Extreme if you prefer a lightweight mountaineering boot. Several reviewers note that the Nepal Extreme is slightly on the heavy side for a single boot. Also, mountaineers in search of a shoe that offers more room for the ankle might not get what they need from this La Sportiva pair. It has been reported that the shoe is quite restricting on the ankles due to its thickness. That said, you might want to have a look at other La Sportiva mountaineering boots and see what fits the bill.
La Sportiva Nepal Extreme notable features
Recommended for technical use on high-altitude terrain, the Nepal Extreme features the Vibram® Impact Brake System for stability and grip, the patent-pending EZ FLEX and EZ OUT for a customizable fit, and the thermal synergy lining for warmth and comfort.
It’s equipped with Primaloft insulation that is made mostly of recycled materials. The Nepal Extreme also comes with a large rand that protects the boot from abrasion while securing the stitching between the sole and the upper.
Fit
The La Sportiva Nepal Extreme is a high-cut boot, which is technically a men’s boot but can also be worn by women. It features a removable insert that attaches to a velcro inside the boot for a snug fit. The patent-pending EZ FLEX tongue and EZ OUT pull loop give a personalized option for adjusting the fit.
This mountaineering boot Track and field.
Outsole
La Sportiva has partnered with Vibram for its premium mountaineering boots. As everyone knows, Vibram soles are grippy, slip-resistant, and long-lasting. But what makes the Nepal Extreme more special is the integration of the Impact Brake System (IBS) in the outsole. This technology absorbs ground impact and increases downhill traction and grip.
The sole is also very sticky on rocks, just like climbing shoes. Lastly, it is compatible with step-in crampons.
The Nepal Extreme’s outsoles have very deep lugs, some of which are 6-7 mm deep. The heel is quite high and works well on descents and the rand keeps the lower area of the boot snow-free.
Midsole
The La Sportiva Nepal Extreme has a midsole made with 6 mm Polyurethane (PU). It’s heavier than EVA because it’s denser, which makes it more suitable for mountaineering boots where a more rigid midsole is preferred for support and stability. Moreover, PU midsoles have less bounce in the beginning but over time, the bounce lasts longer than EVA midsoles.
This midsole eliminates any problem with wear and tear in the toe box. La Sportiva has also included a removable insulating footbed for added warmth and comfort.
Upper
The Nepal Extreme boot features a durable upper made from high-quality leather from Perwanger, one of the oldest and most premium leather manufacturers in Italy. So even though it lacks a waterproof lining, this boot still has pretty strong water-repelling properties.
Meant for all high-elevation mountain terrain, this premium footwear features the innovative triple laminate lining from Primaloft. The wide toe box also plays a valuable role in the warmth of this footwear.
Completing the boot upper is a traditional lace-up closure. What makes it unique though is the patented EZ OUT pull loop that facilitates the unlocking of the lace lock. All the materials used in the upper are very durable.
Who should buy the La Sportiva Nepal Extreme
Both the Nepal Extreme and Evo are great for high-altitude terrain and ice. These boots are well-suitable for rock and ice climbing for their quality construction, rigid soles, and top-notch insulation.
updated Jun 11, 2023:
Lining. The Nepal Extreme and Nepal Evo have uppers made with 3+ mm fine leather that is highly resistant to abrasion and has water-repelling properties. However, they differ in the linings used. The Nepal Extreme features a PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Eco - a highly compressible and breathable fabric that’s made mostly of recycled materials. Whereas the Nepal Evo is lined with Gore-Tex® Insulated Comfort Footwear which has both waterproofing and insulating properties.
Lacing system. The Nepal Extreme features the EZ OUT pull-out loops on the 6th pair of the lower eyelets that become pressed by the D-ring while the Nepal Evo features the EZ Roller hardware which is a simple yet high-tech metal grommet that keeps the laces in place when tightened.
Weight. The Nepal Extreme is more on the heavy side, at 2,110 g per pair. The Nepal Evo, on the other hand, weighs just 1,012 g per pair.
