johndavidjr Posted August 17, 2004 Posted August 17, 2004 (edited) correction: "Tower" boots. Nice, superlight mountaineering boot. Climbs rock relatively well & good in snow. Crampon straps seemed a tad uncomfortable at times, flatfooting on moderate ice, & is perhaps too light for lots of heavy ice climbing. But sole is fairly stiff & does have protective rubber rand. Seems nearly ideal for summer climbing & could even do volcanos. Weighs about same as Trango, but has Goretex liner. I wore them with superfeet for three moderate climbing days in Canada & a hellacious hike, and got no blisters, even with semi-soft feet. This boot definitely not for winter. Gave my Yukons to a truck driver in Calgary. -- Edited August 17, 2004 by johndavidjr Quote
rhyang Posted August 17, 2004 Posted August 17, 2004 Hate to ask a stupid question, but could you be talking about the Garmont Tower ? http://www.rockandice.com/gear/123/gear.1232.html Quote
johndavidjr Posted August 17, 2004 Author Posted August 17, 2004 (edited) Sadly, you are correct. The store in Canmore I think labeled them incorrectly as "Tour," but I may be wrong. Towers are now on sale for $159 at Mt. Gear. Man did I get ripped off, even given Canadian currency. The review you provided compares the boot unfavorably with rock climbing shoes for rock climbing. I'd say a 5.3 climb in rock shoes becomes a 5.4 or even maybe a 5.5 wearing these things... But for a mountaineering boot, they're superior rock climbers.... ____ Edited August 17, 2004 by johndavidjr Quote
rhyang Posted August 17, 2004 Posted August 17, 2004 I'd guess at this time of year the summer boots are being closed out for next year's models. [by the way, I was looking at the deal mgear.com has on Tecnica T-Rock's ($199). I took a glacier class last month with a guy who had just bought a brand new pair from a shop for more than $300. Not sure if they are any good for people with wide toes and narrow heels] Quote
iain Posted August 17, 2004 Posted August 17, 2004 Rock climbing ratings do not change because of the footwear you are using. Quote
cj001f Posted August 17, 2004 Posted August 17, 2004 Rock climbing ratings do not change because of the footwear you are using. No relativistic effects in climbing? Tower's I used mine for Olympus this weekend - Approach + Climb + Descent. Good stuff. Quote
johndavidjr Posted August 18, 2004 Author Posted August 18, 2004 No, ratings don't relate to boots & of course I meant only subjective comment. These boots are great for rock compared to normal mountain footwear. They even look like the old Royal Robbins rock shoe of late 60s, and may climb nearly as well, which isn't saying much for RRs. I'm enthused. Hey -- nice cruise to Olympus. Taking Towers there is far better than my old Maks. --- Quote
cj001f Posted August 19, 2004 Posted August 19, 2004 Seems rather heavy for a summer boot. Maybe a tad warm, but better than older style mountain boots. It's about the lightest boot I'd want to use for a glacier slog with hours wearing crampons. Quote
rbw1966 Posted August 19, 2004 Posted August 19, 2004 Garmont Tower: 4lbs 4 oz. La Sportiva Makalu: 4.6 oz. Like I said, pretty heavy for a "superlight" mountaineering boot. Quote
johndavidjr Posted August 19, 2004 Author Posted August 19, 2004 RBW--- You must be joking? What would you suggest that's lighter? Quote
rbw1966 Posted August 19, 2004 Posted August 19, 2004 La Sportiva Thunder 2lbs 12oz Trango S: 2lbs 10oz Supernova: 2lbs 12 oz Hell, my Salomon Pro Ice (which are technical climbing boots) only weight 4lbs. I am taking issue with your reference to those as "superlight". If one wanted a superlight boot I think they could go a lot lighter. Quote
cj001f Posted August 19, 2004 Posted August 19, 2004 Rob- Telemark Pyrenees quote 660g 1/2 pair aka about 3lbs. I'm not quite sure how they could come out a full 1.5lbs heavier than the Trangos - the boots are very similar. Your welcome to weight mine on an actual scale. Quote
rbw1966 Posted August 19, 2004 Posted August 19, 2004 I'm just quoting the manufacturers figures. Quote
johndavidjr Posted August 20, 2004 Author Posted August 20, 2004 (edited) Hmm==guess you're right. I'm comparing them almost soley with my old Makalus. They are much lighter. Towers' actual weight is 3 lbs 2 oz for pair, or four ounces heavier, each, than Trangos. I would be afraid to buy Trangos because of uncertain reputation for slush hiking. I must check out the others you mention. Isn't Garmont Ferrata slightly stiffer & heavier than Tower? ---- Edited August 20, 2004 by johndavidjr Quote
cj001f Posted August 20, 2004 Posted August 20, 2004 I'm just quoting the manufacturers figures. I figured - some manufacturers are more "optimistic" than others in my experience. Mountain Gear claims 3lbs 2oz/pair which is consistent with how they feel to me - the pair ways about as much as a single one of my old mountain boots Quote
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