La Sportiva Gandalf

Verdict

Talk about mixed conditions: Over the course of 14 hours and 6,500 feet of vertical gain on Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland’s highest peak, I dealt with crumbling volcanic rock that shifted underfoot, loose gravel, slushy snow, glaciated hardpack, and mist so thick it settled like rain. This high-cut, Gore-tex-lined boot barreled through it all without giving me so much as a hot spot or a drip of internal condensation. The nylon mesh upper with nubuck reinforcements is light but tough, and offered ample ankle support for up to 30-pound loads on the uneven terrain. The Vibram tread gripped securely on slush, mud, and hardpack. Ideal for medium- to narrow-width feet.thenorthface.com

Best For

Hikers looking for a waterproof boot with comfort for dayhikes and support for weekends

Tester Data

> Anthony Cerretani

> Duration May to July

> Locales/conditions CO, Iceland; rain, snow, ice; rocky, muddy trail

> “The high, gusseted tongue kept water, stones, pebbles, and debris from sneaking in, even when I was scrambling down steep scree slopes.”
Gandalf is the cutting edge mix of technology and design that blurs the line of performance approach shoe and climbing shoe.