Scarpa Kailash GTX® SKU: #7396956

Anonymous

from West Point, NY

Quick break in! I put these on and wore them around the house for almost two days trying to find a fit flaw. Aside from a very minor pinch at the ankle (fixed with creative lacing) they fit great. First time out on a trail was Red Rock in AZ. It was a short established tourist type trail, but again, they felt supportive for their light weight and very "grippy" on rock. Back east, I wore them on a 5 mile day hike in Harriman State Park over trail and melon sized rocks. Again, the boot was stabilizing, provided good traction and was very light on my feet. No hot spots or blisters at all during break in.

Anonymous

from Los Angeles, CA

A good choice! I almost always look for product reviews before making purchase decisions, so here is my two cents worth. I hope this will help someone like me. Recently, I decided to get back into hiking and backpacking after a long hiatus. My first priority was to get new boots to replace my old traditional hiking boots made by Pacific Mountain Sports. I headed to REI near my house and tried virtually every mid-weight boot they had. (You know how it goes: some were a little wide, some pinched across the top, some didn't have good cushion, etc.) A pair of Vasque Wasatch GTX boots fit very well, but I wanted to do a little more research before plunking down the bucks only to find a better boot later. I poked around the internet and found Backpacker magazine's review of the Scarpa Kailash. I figured that if this boot was their Editor's Choice, it was worth a look. Originally, I could not find them in my size (US 11) anywhere and purchased its sibling boot, the Mustang GTX instead. Upon their arrival, I immediately tried them on with my thick military boot socks and Coolmax liners both made by "Techspun." Before even lacing the boots up, I knew I needed an 11 1/2 (US). After processing my return, I found the Kailash GTX (size 11 1/2) in stock and quickly ordered them. I received them following day thanks to Zappos.com upgrading me to overnight delivery via FEDEX. I tried them on and found the 11 1/2 fit perfectly. I wore them around the house for a few hours to get a good feel for them and was truly amazed at how much cushion they had. The Kailash GTX's were literally light years away from my old all leather hiking boots with Vibram Kletterlift soles. (I've had two knee operations, so cushioning is now a priority for me.) My first hike was around two miles on decent dirt trails (I had my 4 year old with me) in the local foothills. The boots were very comfortable and secure/supportive in all the right places. Great forefoot flex. No blisters, heel slippage, or hot spots. My second hike was 4 miles on decomposed granite as well as crushed/broken stone in the area of Mt. Lowe, Angeles National Forest. Going up, I noticed a hot spot on my right heel and dreaded my decision to wear one of my Techspun boot socks that was worn thin in the heel. (After my first hike without any problems, I figured I could get away with it.) I laced the boots a little tighter which helped lock my heel in better, but the very small blister had already started to form. On the way down, I hit some loose rock and rolled my ankle. The boots provided great support and were stiff enough across the ankle to prevent injury. I am very happy with the boots and would highly recommend them. Backpacker magazine obviously did their research and picked a fine boot that needs little or no break-in period. I don't think you will be disappointed by these boots. I would only caution buyers to choose a half size larger if they happen to wear thick wool socks. After this positive experience, I think I'm a Scarpa customer for life. Thank you to Zappos for great customer service and a great selection of boots.

Brant A

from Maryland

I have and have had many boots. These soles have the best grip I have had on any boot. They stick like my straight rock climbing shoes. Great for anything where you don’t need massive, all leather support.

Brent

from Ogden, Utah

Great mid-weight hiker. I ordered these boots from magazine recommendations and am very happy with my purchase. I did replace the manufactures insole with a green REI insole cut to size which seemed to give my instep a little better support. Break in consisted of wearing them two days at work and two short day hikes close to home. They worked extremely well while carrying a 40 pound pack on a 18 mile loop hike in the Wind River Mountain range in both wet and dry conditions. There was no heel slip, no hot spots, and no blisters. The sole seemed to slip a bit on very wet granite, but otherwise this is a solid and lightweight boot I would recommend for someone carrying a medium weight load.

DD

from Jersey

My first pair of Uggs and the most expensive boot I’ve ever purchased. LOVE shoes, but really know how to bargain shop to get what I want inexpensively. Boots fit great, no breaking in needed. Warm and cozy. First pair of boots I’ve ever owned that didn’t need a couple wears to feel comfortable.

Randy

from Los Angeles, California

Out-of-the-box comfort - I wore these boots to work several times to break them in, but it proved unnecessary; there were no hot spots and they just felt good all day from the first time I wore them. Lightweight, yet supportive enough to handle cross-country backpacking trips with a thirty-pound pack.

from Kansas City

Quality boot. After two weeks I think this is a great boot. A couple of days to break in but are getting more comfortable by the day. They are light weight but provide good support with my 40# pack. Quality is top notch and fit is true to size. My only complaint is I would like more arch support but I plan to try some superfeet insoles. All in all a great boot.

Mike

Initially seemed good - I got these, 2 Asolos (Fugitive and TPS 520), and the Montrail Torres. After just trying them on and walking around the house, these are definitely the best fit. The heel slips a little for me, but when I put in my Superfeet from my running shoes, the slippage becomes very minimal. Someone else commented that this shoe was especially narrow. It actually squeezes my pinky toe less than the Asolos or Montrails. I wear a 12 ½ running shoe, and the 13 for this boot seems to fit. Zappos ran out of the 12 ½, so I wasn't able to try it. Perhaps it would fix the heel slippage without the Superfeet.

Dann

from Des Moines, Iowa

Great medium weight backpacking boots - I read a review in Backpacker magazine that the Scarpa Kailash boots were the best and they were right. I was a great fan of Vasque Sundowners, but they no longer make a narrow boot, what a shame. I have done Scouting for years and cannot tell you how many endorsements I have made for Sundowners, but no more. The Scarpa Kailish's were comfortable right out of the box and very stable. They have become my go to boot and I am going to be happy to promote these boots to the hundreds of Scouts and Scouters I make hiking/backpacking presentations to. Zappos is the best for ordering shoes, if you have already tried them on before and know what you are looking for, avoids sending the shoes/boots back if they don't fit. I have ordered a number of shoes from Zappos and have always been satisfied with their customer service.

Brands I'd also recommend: Soloman Wings GTX and Pro GTX

from Shreveport, LA

Great fit. I first got the Kayland Zephyr and really like the look of them but the toes got too narrow and hurt my feet, I had never had a problem like that before. I've heard so much about the Kailash that I tried it and I'm glad I did. Feel and fit are excellent. I've been very pleased with this boot and highly recommend it.

Charles D

from Cookeville, TN

Surprise! Lost among a sea of choices and reviews, I didn't know where to turn as I looked for a new pair of hiking shoes. Too many shoes that I took off the shelf felt like cement blocks. I was wearing out a pair of Rockports. A pair of Vasque Sundowners, they were handsome shoes, but heavy and stiff and I just couldn't seem to break them in and reach a degree of real comfort. Then an acquaintance, just getting into hiking, recommended Scarpa's which he had happened upon at random. Not certain whether I needed a size 8 or an 8.5, I ordered both sizes from Zappos. The 8 was too tight-fitting, but the 8.5 was as close to perfect as I could imagine in a hiking shoe. Snug, but not tight; stable, but not stiff; light-weight, but rugged at the same time. I like the lacing - no crimping behind the toes. The appearance? The color is okay and well, after all, these are hiking shoes and not fancy loafers. Hear me for Scarpas! The style I have is the Kailash (named for a sacred and therefore unscaled mountain in the Himalayas).

Brands I'd also recommend: A friend of mine is quite satisfied with her Asolo hiking shoes.