Gear comparative review
84 The Great OutdoorsAugust 2019La Sportiva
TX4 Mid GTX Women
£165 740g (size 37)weight, toe protection/rand, snug heel boxno underfoot support, little lateral stability, round lugsUppers: suede leather, full rubber rand, Gore-Tex lining
Mid/outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Sizes: 36-42 (men 39-47)
lasportiva.co.uk
After my love affair with La Sportiva’s Trango Trek GTX, I was
extra-keen to test this boot. But it’s a totally different creation, a
development of the TX4 approach shoe, rather than a toned-down
version of a bigger boot. It definitely wore like a shoe, with a super-
soft flex and little lateral support. La Sportiva say: “The uppers wrap
around the midsole in the middle of the shoe, giving torsional stability
for traverses and a snug fit.” I agree with the snug fit since the volume
of this boot is noticeably less than the Trango size 4, and it was one of
the lowest-volume 4s in the test (I had to hunt out an extra-thin pair
of socks); but I can’t go along with the torsional stability claim. This
lower volume also meant I was unable to change the flat foam strip
masquerading as an insole for something with support. Consequently,
my feet ached each time I tested these, as there is no shaping or instep
support of any kind: the footbed is flat and the insole lies, limply, on
the top. The sole unit has rounded lugs and a surprisingly aggressive
heel; this worked very well on dry terrain but the round lugs coped
less adequately on wet rock. There’s shock-absorbing EVA in the
midsole, but I could often feel rough ground through the front section
of the boot. There’s visible input from the brand’s climbing heritage:
lacing is derived from La Sportiva’s Mythos climbing shoe, there’s a
‘climbing zone’ of softer rubber under the toes, and toe protection and
all-round rubber randing mirrors a climbing shoe. They recommend
the TX4 for “rocky mountain terrain, via ferrata and scrambling”;
personally, I’d keep it on lower ground: there isn’t enough support in
uppers or sole unit for me to commit to via ferrata rungs and ladders
or a scrambling route.
Scarpa
ZG Trek GTX Women
£180 1049g (size 37)construction, grip, comfort, lacing systemnothingUppers: suede, fabric, Gore-Tex lining
Mid/outsole: Vibram Salix
Sizes: 37-42 (men 41-47)
scarpa.co.ukScarpa make boots built to last. I’ve never managed to wear a pair
to extinction and I get the feeling that ZG Trek, new this year, will
join the ranks of Scarpa Forever footwear. The suede upper has a
rubber toe bumper and reinforced heelbox. Smooth-running lacing
eyelets and hooks (two up the ankle, one for the heel) are set into
suede, while textile provides flexibility at ankle, cuff and tongue.
The tongue is sewn in, thinner in the overlap than in the central
section, and rises to the right height above the cuff. Cuff height is
spot on for all-terrain hiking: high enough for confidence in mud
and on rock, without being intrusive against the shin. The footbed
in this boot should be thrown away – I use off-the-peg Orthosoles
(with the pink/Medium instep), which give customised underfoot
support. ZG Trek felt great with my footbeds and flat underfoot
with Scarpa’s version. The sole unit, with its deep, wide-spaced lugs,
provides good grip; strangely, the heel is more round than squared,
with a shallow front ledge. It was effective on dry terrain but I was
glad of my poles for braking assistance on steep, muddy trails. The
boot feels dextrous and protective with good lateral support, but I
was always aware it was the heaviest boot in the test. The forefoot
is slightly narrow relative to the side and heel, so it’s unlikely to
suit a wide foot. Plus, the flex point is specific, just behind the toe
bumper and across the first lace line. If the boot fits perfectly, you’re
laughing; if it’s slightly off it may nip, although there is ample toe
room. A decent footbed makes a big difference to fit, so try the ZG
Trek on with the footbed you intend to use. It is just light enough
for my three-season category, but if you only have one pair of boots
for year-round use, this is a top choice (it worked well with strap-on
crampons too).RECOMMENDED