Old style Koflachs

[salbrecher]

Anybody have any opinions of the old style koflach boots (usually neon)? How are they in cold temps? Stiffness? They'd be used for ice climbing and alpine but could will also be used, occasionaly, for cold higher altitude trips. I have the scarpa vegas and they're falling appart. I really liked them but don't want to shell out another $400 for a new pair. Plus, the old style Koflachs look sooo cool; In all the cool 1980's pictures of Europe and the Himalaya the climbers are wearing them .

I wouldn't buy this pair but this is the style i'm talking about. I've seen quite a few of them on e bay.

Edited March 18, 2004 by salbrecher

[Rodchester]

I have the old style neon Koflachs. I am very happy with them and have had them since they were new. They are warm, but the warmth is in VERY large part dictated by the type and condition of the liner. (that's likely obvious to you). The older Koflachs (Neon ones), sometimes had a foam liner that was VERY warm but it crushed down fairly quickly.

 

As far as ice climbing goes it is fine, but not exactly comparable with the newer insulated leathers. It is like most plastics, a sloppy boot. Fine for winter stuff, mountaineering on the volcanoes, etc. Shell holds up very well to the cold and is somewhat flexible for French stepping.

[Fromage]

I still climb in my 1997 Koflachs. The liners are beat to hell, but despite the sustained abuse I have subjected them to, the shells are still in excellent condition. These are non the stylish neon models, they are the clunker Viva Softs, and they have kept my toes warm in sub-zero temps in the Alps. I have done a fair bit of rock climbing in them, too, and while there is no comparison with leathers, they are certainly passable. And ice climbing? They work just fine. I have been able to climb somewhat difficult mixed and ice routes in these babies without any complaints about performance. Perhaps my opinion on my boots is shaped by the fact that they are the ONLY cold weather climbing boots I can fit into... I have some Norweigan welt stout leather mountaineering boots, and while those things kick ass on rock, they are not so great in the snow or on ice.

 

If I could fit into any of the newer insulated leathers I would probably buy a pair, but I will be picking up a NEW pair of Koflachs this spring. They are coming out with all new models, and the Vertical looks to be a good choice- it uses an Arctis Expe shell, slightly scaled down to fit closer to the foot with a thinner liner. If I can get seven years out of those, too, I will consider it money well spent.