Review of the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Footwear
News Article: A Comparative Review of Top Hiking Boots
In the world of hiking footwear, the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX stands out as a popular choice for avid hikers. This boot competes with some of the best in the market, including the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX, Zamberlan Vioz 996, and La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike GTX.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is a strong competitor, known for its balanced weight and protection, while maintaining feet dry with Gore-Tex technology. It offers good durability and traction, making it a suitable alternative to the Nucleo High II GTX.
The Zamberlan Vioz 996, on the other hand, is recommended for those seeking a high-quality boot with substantial durability and support. It serves as a notable alternative, offering robust build quality and comfort for demanding terrain.
The La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike GTX is a newer, lighter, and more flexible option compared to typical mountaineering boots. It excels in grip, ankle security, and offers a stiffness level balanced between stiff backpacking boots and softer day hikers, making it suitable for mixed terrain hiking.
The La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX itself stands out for its Gore-Tex Surround liner that enhances breathability not just from the top but also through the sole, combined with Nano-Cell mesh technology and a durable leather upper. This unique blend provides a distinct blend of breathability, durability, and support.
However, the Nucleo High II GTX's fit tends to be narrow, which is a common theme among La Sportiva footwear. But, wide sizes are available to cater to a wider range of foot sizes.
The boot is priced at around $240 and weighs 2 pounds 1.6 ounces per pair for the men's version. It is very comfortable with a soft leather upper, padded mesh, and a 3D Flex ankle hinge. The boots' lacing system is effective at locking the foot in place, but it requires a creative lacing strategy due to the lack of locking eyelets.
The Nucleo High II GTX's Vibram Nano XS-Trek outsole features a grippy lug pattern for good traction. The boot's protection is somewhat lacking, with the sides of the toe box exposed and some flexibility in the collar and sidewalls.
The women's version of the Nucleo High II GTX is lighter at 1 pound 10.8 ounces per pair and comes in two lighter-colored designs. It has an identical feature set to the men's model, including Gore-Tex Surround waterproofing, a Nano-Cell and leather upper, and a grippy Vibram outsole.
The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Leather GTX, for $20 less than the Nucleo, is quite a bit lighter and features a similarly high-quality build, including a Gore-Tex Extended Comfort membrane and tacky Frixion outsole.
The Asolo Falcon EVO GV has comparable technical chops to the Nucleo High II GTX, but the Nucleo is more supportive with its high cut, has a grippier outsole, and costs about $20 less.
In summary, the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX, Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX, Zamberlan Vioz 996, La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike GTX, Asolo Falcon EVO GV, and La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Leather GTX are top-rated hiking boots that offer similar features—lightweight, waterproofness, durable construction, and good traction—making them excellent choices for hikers seeking high-performance footwear for their adventures.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX and La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike GTX are suitable options for travelers who prefer lightweight hiking boots for extended outdoor gear needs, such as backpacking or climbing.
The Zamberlan Vioz 996 and La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX were designed with sports performance in mind, offering support, comfort, and durability for challenging hiking terrain.
These hiking boots, including the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX, Zamberlan Vioz 996, La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike GTX, La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX, Asolo Falcon EVO GV, and La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Leather GTX, are ideal for various types of sports, such as hiking, climbing, and sports that require outdoor gear.
