New Climber needs some shoe help

[Mike Durrant]

Wife allowed me to cross off bucket list item: climb Mt. Hood. It will be a guided trip, but need help with climbing boots. I have done minimal research and have fallen for the Lowa Mountain Expert Gtx Evo. The price point is $395. I wondering if there are better shoes for a rookie and if there is a place I can get a better price point.

 

All help is greatly appreciated.

[Water]

Unlikely. Google shop or eBay if you know your exact size. I've got a version of the boots from 2008-09, but they're awesome and perfect for hood, assuming they fit you well. Use REI visa and get 10% back on your rebate?

[Ben Beckerich]

I see Scarpa Mont Blancs on sale for around $300 pretty often

[Peter Way]

Next Adventure is selling off all their hard shell boots from their rental stock

Buddy of mine just got a pair of Scarpa Inferno's in real good shape for $40

[Ben Beckerich]

I'll give away my size 10 Invernos

[DPS]

Sierra Trading Post is my go to place for discount gear. Check out these. Some are not popular brands in the US, but are all well built and would suit your purposes well.

 

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/aku-montagnard-gore-tex-hiking-boots-waterproof-insulated-for-men~p~7364x/?filterString=mens-mountaineering-boots~d~305%2F&colorFamily=01

 

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/zamberlan-dru-gore-tex-rr-mountaineering-boots-waterproof-for-men~p~9947g/?filterString=mens-mountaineering-boots~d~305%2F&colorFamily=01

 

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/kayland-super-ice-pro-hiking-boots-waterproof-insulated-ce-certified-for-men~p~9396j/?filterString=mens-mountaineering-boots~d~305%2F&colorFamily=01

 

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/scarpa-triolet-gore-tex-mountaineering-boots-waterproof-for-men-and-women~p~9685p/?filterString=mens-mountaineering-boots~d~305%2F&colorFamily=01

 

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/asolo-aconcagua-gore-tex-mountaineering-boots-waterproof-for-men~p~9051f/?filterString=mens-mountaineering-boots~d~305%2F&colorFamily=01

[alpine et]

I've had good luck finding deals on Salewas... while they've become a bit more common in the states since I got them ~3 years ago, I believe the sentiment that they're trying to price themselves into the US market is perhaps still the case. I think you get more boot/$ still...

 

these have gotten me up Baker and Rainier:

http://www.backcountry.com/salewa-raven-combi-gtx-boot-mens

 

 

[Alex]

Why don't you just rent a pair of plastic boots for the climb?

 

Mt Hood isn't particularly long climb, it doesn't warrant spending 400$ on a pair of boots.

[DanO]

If buying new the general rule is to try on all you can and then pick the best one that suits your needs. Most would be better off with summer boots for their first boots for summer mountaineering. One could go to several stores in Seattle try all the boots and then select, find out the return policy before buying. Buying online is more likely to leave u with poor fitting boots.

[curtveld]

Why don't you just rent a pair of plastic boots for the climb?

Excellent advice if you're just trying out the sport! Actually everything above is helpful. Once you decide you love it, then plunk down money on new boots.

 

Plus you will benefit from getting clearer on the specifics of what type of climbing you will be doing most - volcanoes, winter/summer, high elevation, rock scrambling..?