SCARPA Manta Tech GTX
Best for mountaineering
Our take On snowy objectives in the Rockies and summer glacier ascents in the Cascades, the Manta Tech kept us feeling secure and confident due to a build that expertly balances support with flexibility. During a lap on Colorado’s Skyscraper Glacier, it was stiff enough to frontpoint up steep, firm snow thanks to a fiberglass- and polymer-stiffened insole board. However, a plush tongue offered just enough flex to not bite into our ankles, and we avoided the dreaded “boot-bang” of mountain-ready footwear on the 4-mile approach. The Manta Tech’s toe box also finds a sweet spot between wiggle room and precision for technical moves and careful steps. This boot is compatible with semi-auto crampons.
The details A Gore-Tex Insulated Comfort lining (200 grams of synthetic insulation paired with a waterproof/breathable membrane) provides warmth down to the high teens, and a suede upper and 360-degree PU/rubber rand ward off damage from rocks and ice.
$349; 3 lbs. 13 oz.; m’s 6.5-15, w’s 5-10