Comments on: Scarpa SL M3 Hiking Boots

By: Lou

Lou — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:15:36 +0000

I like the epoxy because it’s incredibly tough. It does crack if it’s very thick, but that doesn’t seem to be a big deal. One can apply it as thin as possible and sand it down with care and it doesn’t crack as much. If the leather is in good shape and one takes good care of it, the cracked epoxy seems to have no effect on the leather.

Those Nepals are nice too. Perhaps even better for some folks!

Whatever the case, if you’re really using the boots protecting the stitching is important. Once it blows out it’s hard to fix.

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:09:15 +0000

I tried on the SLs (nice boots) for sizing and ordered two sizes of the Nepals for final fitting. I mentioned the epoxy on the stitches to the shop owner and he said he preferred using Stitch Guard as it is more pliable than epoxy. YMMV

By: Lou

Lou — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:37:39 +0000

Joel, yep, I’m sure there are quite a few people out there for whom Gortex boots work fine — glad you’re one of them!

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:27:25 +0000

I must have cool feet or something then. I have had moments when my feet were hot, but not much to write home about. I’ve been wearing my La Sportiva goretex/leathers for 11 years now and my dogs are happy rather than howling.

By: Lou

Lou — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:31:46 +0000

Terry, in my experience the non-Gortex boots breath much better and can be much more comfortable for many people. The way I look at it is this:

It’s a sweltering hot day. You’re moving up a dry trail approaching a peak in Wyoming, the sun is beating down, even your cotton T-shirt feels hot. Would you wear a Gortex jacket in such a situation? If so, your Gortex boots probably would feel great. Otherwise…