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gblauer
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Feb 28, 2011, 9:29 PM
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I climbed ice for the first time this weekend and I loved it. I can already envision climbing ice every other weekend next season. So...now I need gear.
Anybody love their ice climbing boots? What brand do you recommend? Would you buy used boots?
As always thanks for your input.
Gail
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granite_grrl
Mar 1, 2011, 12:33 PM
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gblauer wrote: I climbed ice for the first time this weekend and I loved it. I can already envision climbing ice every other weekend next season. So...now I need gear. Anybody love their ice climbing boots? What brand do you recommend? Would you buy used boots? As always thanks for your input. Gail
I haven't tried a wide variety of boots, but I think that Sportiva are fairly narrow. Vasque was also fairly narrow, but I think they stopped making ice boots.
What size are your feet again?
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gblauer
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Mar 1, 2011, 3:51 PM
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Hi Rebecca...I am looking at used boots now. I am a size 7 or 7.5. It seems that moutaineering boots run a little big.
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smallclimber
Mar 2, 2011, 1:57 AM
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La Sportiva Nepal (womens version) is pretty narrow and a very nice ladies ice boot, but not cheap. I bet you could buy a second hand pair of ex-rental plastic boots from Rock and Snow or EMS in New Paltz at the end of the season (and with the current warm weather I have to think the Catskill season is over). Then if you really do think after a few more trips you want to invest more you can do so.
Ice climbing is great!
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carabiner96
Mar 2, 2011, 2:08 AM
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I've had three pairs of ice boots, and all three have been used. I think that there's absolutely nothing wrong with use (pre-broken in!) as long as they're still structurally solid.
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redrattie
Mar 2, 2011, 4:21 PM
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Not sure how helpful this is, however, I absolutely love my La Sportiva Glacier EVO's which I use with BD crampons. I opted to spend money on better quality crampons rather than top of the line boots. Technically, I haven't been ice "climbing", just trekking on steep icy ground (steep enough that we use crampons and old ice axes, but not so steep that we have to use a rope, if we do happen to slip, we slide, rather than take a "fall".
If you opt for used boots, suggest not buying from anyone that weighs more than you do, also see if they have crampons to go with the boots.
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nessie
Mar 2, 2011, 4:57 PM
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Hiya,
I've got a pair of la sportivas karakorum which i use with semi automatic grivel crampons....Does the trick for me...La Sportiva have small sizes and Grivel crampons can be downsized to european size 36.
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granite_grrl
Mar 3, 2011, 1:09 AM
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You find Sportiva runs small? The only time I've tried them on I found myself wishing they had a 42.5 instead of just the 42 I was trying. Comparing that to the rest of my shoes that pretty spot on.
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granite_grrl
Mar 3, 2011, 1:10 AM
Post #9 of 19
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I also have man sized feet so YMMV.
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nessie
Mar 3, 2011, 9:46 AM
Post #10 of 19
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I have european 37.5, bought them half a size to big to protect my toes on mean descents and whilst ice climbing so they don't always hit the shoes when placing my feet...Normal shoes size is 37 and I find the sportivas to be in complete accordance with that...Maybe it depends on the shoemodel?
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granite_grrl
Mar 3, 2011, 12:18 PM
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Well, half a size isn't too bad. To be honest they didn't have anything in 42.5 or in the store so I never actually confirmed the size I would need, I just assumed.
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gblauer
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Mar 3, 2011, 2:24 PM
Post #12 of 19
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I don't have a lot of places to go try on boots. Rock and Snow in New Paltz is really the only place. I went to campmor, they only had men's boots. I have to find an outfitter who has a decent selection of women's boots.
There is a woman on ebay selling some 10 year old scarpa invernos, she wants $100. Seems like a lot of $$$ for 10 year old boots.
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dr_feelgood
Mar 3, 2011, 6:16 PM
Post #13 of 19
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granite_grrl wrote: Well, half a size isn't too bad. To be honest they didn't have anything in 42.5 or in the store so I never actually confirmed the size I would need, I just assumed.
You should try on my 43.0s next time we meet up. See if you like them.
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tigerlilly
Mar 3, 2011, 9:01 PM
Post #14 of 19
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Unfortunately, these might be too small: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,2015P_Scarpa-Summit-Gore-Tex-Mountaineering-Boots-Waterproof-For-Women.html
Did you ask about renting at R&S? They started renting the LaSportiva Nepal Evos, or at least the men's version, this year. Would be a good way to test drive fairly cheaply. The only other place I can think of is the Mountaineer in Keene Valley (Dacks) if you get up that way this season.
Personally, I love my Zamberlan Granite RR's, but I think I may have the only pair in the US.
I would not spend $100 on a 10 year old pair of plastic boots. Plastic gets brittle with age.
Kathy
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jeepnphreak
Mar 4, 2011, 4:31 AM
Post #15 of 19
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gblauer wrote: I climbed ice for the first time this weekend and I loved it. I can already envision climbing ice every other weekend next season. So...now I need gear. Anybody love their ice climbing boots? What brand do you recommend? Would you buy used boots? As always thanks for your input. Gail
I bought my wife a a pair of Lowa Chivetta extremes and she really likes them
http://www.amazon.com/Lowa-Civetta-Extreme-Plastic-Mountaineering/dp/B0020MMK54
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nessie
Mar 4, 2011, 9:09 AM
Post #16 of 19
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If you ask me that is alot of money for 10 year old boots!!!
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enigma
Mar 4, 2011, 10:39 AM
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Why don't you try craigslist or the gunks local climbing store or maybe those sweet local guides? Probably they will be on sale once the season is over and you can pick them up at store at a huge discount. 
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granite_grrl
Mar 5, 2011, 12:08 AM
Post #19 of 19
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dr_feelgood wrote: granite_grrl wrote: Well, half a size isn't too bad. To be honest they didn't have anything in 42.5 or in the store so I never actually confirmed the size I would need, I just assumed. Hey rebecca- You should try on my 43.0s next time we meet up. See if you like them.
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