One thing we can all agree on is that a good boot is a thing of beauty. After wearing out my last pair of hiking boots I picked up a pair of La Sportiva TX4 Mid GTX boots and they might just be worth their weight in gold. They have a full leather construction, are super comfortable, supportive, stable and provide tons of grip with no break-in required. Sounds perfect, well they kind of are.
I am a year round hiking boot wearer, on my daily dog hike they keep out sand and provide support all around. Some folks prefer trail shoes, you do you and be happy. This is perfect for peoplewho want a daily hiking boot or might want something more than a trail runner. The TX4 Mid hits a sweet spot between heavyweight hikers and a lighter trail shoe. If you are on the cusp, I’d recommend you try these out.
The boot features a wrap around rand to keep wetness out of the leather and a burly toe cap. It has a fully leather upper with a Gore-Tex liner to keep any moisture out. As someone who hikes year round in the mountains and the desert I am really pleased with how my feet stay cool in the summer and warm in the high peaks.
Like all the best boots these have a genuine Vibram sole. The TX4 Mid features a sticky rubber Mega Grip sole that excels in the sand and the rocks. I was concerned that they would be slippery in loose dirt and sand, but I was absolutely wrong on that. Also I am really stoked on how well the lugs are holding up.
When buying a boot like this you know you are going to have it for a few years, so you might as well consider all of the use cases. I like to wear my boots on days when I am doing a ride and hike (where I ride a few miles in and then explore a new area on foot) and when I am bikepacking in the fall. These grip the slick rock and the pedals equally great.
These boots are light, strong and super grippy. If you need a medium weight boot, or heck even a light boot this should be the one you try out first. The La Sportiva TX4 Mid GTX has been a great boot so far, which is great because I will be wearing it for years. The shine on technical approaches, long hikes and everything in between.
Sportiva says: https://www.sportiva.com/tx4-mid-gtx.html
• Gore-Tex® lining for maximum breathability, water-resistance and comfort
• Uber-sticky Vibram® Mega-Grip™ rubber outsole with Impact Brake System for increased™ traction
• STB Control System™ upper wraps the midsole in the medial zone increasing stability on traverse routes and wraps the foot for a comfortable and precise fit