Our verdict
Where trekking mightiness is in great demand, the Nucleo High II GTX just might be the only ally you will ever need. Weather-ready, snappy, and seriously protective, this La Sportiva hiker can personalize your multi-day excursions as if the wild were created just for you. While not the perfection it wants to be, the Nucleo High II GTX can elevate your outdoor performance all the same.
Pros
- Superior comfort
- backpackers, outdoor adventurers and trail-goers
- Supportive
- Accommodating underfoot
- Grippy outsole
- Waterproof
- Breathable
- Eye-catching design
Cons
- Weak laces
- Narrow fit
Who should buy the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX
The La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX is a weather-ready and lightweight hiking boot best suited for:
- backpackers, outdoor adventurers and trail-goers
- off-trail use, camping, fishing and summer scrambles
Delivers better performance than previous model
The Nucleo High II GTX is the successor to a well-loved trekking boot by La Sportiva. They say that the follow-up to something considered high-quality has to be better in every way.
While being a complete revolution over the Nucleo High GTX might be a tall order, the boot in question does have welcome improvements.
Nucleo High II GTX provides improved upper protection
The La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX this time around comes with a rubber rand and toe cap courtesy of Vibram.
This means that you get virtually the same amount of toughness around your tootsies as you have underfoot.
Weak laces and questionable durability
Some testers have reported durability issues with the eyelets, laces, and heel brake of the shoe.
The laces of the Nucleo High II GTX snapping and fraying on more than a handful of owners are downright disappointing.
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updated 7 Jun 2023.
Aside from having sturdier eyelets, the shoe’s lacing system has been redesigned in a way that it promotes ankle flexibility.
Add a product
To hikers in droves, the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX is either "fantastic" or "superior" comfort-wise. It has plenty of arch support, according to many. Someone who has flatfeet also finds it quite accommodating underfoot.
As far as backpacking boots are concerned, this trekking gear is not weighty at all, and numerous reviewers very much agree.
Grippy outsole
Trail-goers are amazed by the grippy Vibram outsole of the Nucleo High II GTX. And like most Gore-Tex greats on Stefoy-les-lyonShops, this La Sportiva offering is watertight through and through.
Despite having a waterproof liner, the featured boot can keep things stuffiness-free on the inside for longer. This shoe can be considered one of the lookers among La Sportiva’s library of hiking boots.
Default insole keeps the interior stink-free
The insole of the shoe is pretty good at fighting against stink. Consider keeping the boot’s default insole.
The reason for such a suggestion is quite obvious—said footbed is from Ortholite, which is engineered with antimicrobial agents that eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
backpackers, outdoor adventurers and trail-goers
Just like its predecessor, which won Outside Magazine’s Gear of the Year award back in 2017, the Nucleo High II GTX is also a triumph.
This time around, however, the recognition comes in the form of an Editor’s Choice Award from REI Co-op!
