La Sportiva Aequilibrium LT GTX boots | Tested and reviewed

The La Sportiva Aequilibrium LT GTX won best in test on these pages a couple of years ago and it's still one of the best winter hiking boots today.

That's all thanks to its ability to balance comfort, performance, durability warmth and low weight in an impressive fashion. They're also compatible with C2 crampons, adding to their versatility. Like the sound of that? Read on for my full review.

Design and features

The Aequilibrium range currently includes four models. For technical mountaineering at medium and high altitudes, there’s the Aequilibrium Top and the Aequilibrium Speed, both of which feature fully integrated gaiters.

But for UK use, you’re better off looking at the Aequilibrium LT and ST models. The LT features nubuck leather uppers, while the ST features synthetic uppers. Both are lined with a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membrane for reliable waterproof performance.

Despite its slightly higher weight, I'd opt for the leather (LT) model, particularly for winter use, since it offers superior durability and a little extra warmth too.

La Sportiva describes the Aequilibrium LT GTX as an “alpine hiking boot for heavy loads, ideal for backpacking and multi-day walks at high altitude”.

That suggests this is primarily a trekking boot, and indeed it would do a great job on classic hut-to-hut routes in Europe’s bigger mountain ranges and beyond.

However, its high levels of comfort plus its reliable traction and excellent stability underfoot also make this a great choice for winter hillwalkers tackling UK hills and mountains in the coldest months.

They’re light and streamlined yet solid and well-built, thanks to supple nubuck leather uppers with a chunky wraparound TPU rand, rigid heel counter and burly toecap.

The flexible ankle cuff has an elasticated rear gaiter to keep out snow and grit, as does the fully gusseted tongue. A shaped 3D flex system leaves space for bony ankles. The tongue is fully gusseted, meaning it's sewn into the upper of the boot right to the very top.

In conjunction with the Gore-Tex liner, this ensures excellent waterproofing. I never experienced wet feet on test, even after wading through knee-deep powder snow.

However, the sole unit is the most innovative element. Rather than a conventional midsole layer, here the outsole has been injected with PU foam. This saves weight without sacrificing cushioning.

Underfoot, the lugs are extra deep and aggressively angled. The heel brake gives exceptional downhill traction, and the softer rubber compound sticks well to rock.

They’re also equipped with a heel welt to take a semi-automatic C2 crampon, though in terms of stiffness they feel more like a B1 boot.

The back of the heel has an unusual sharp cutaway, presumably to encourage a rolling gait when pounding out the miles.

It does make it more difficult to dig in your heels on hard-packed snow slopes when descending though, and it can also affect crampon compatibility, depending on which models of crampon you own.

I didn’t get the closest fit with my Black Diamond Seracs, nor my Scarpa G12s, for example. It’s fine for general winter walking and easier winter scrambling/mountaineering but may be a slight concern if venturing onto more technical terrain.

Performance and comfort

The Aequilibrium LT is available as both a men’s boot and a lower volume women’s fit. La Sportiva boots aren’t generally known for being the broadest, and this one is no exception.

They’re built on a fairly close-fitting last for precision and I’d describe overall width as slim to medium, with medium volume. The toebox is also fairly tapered.

Having said that, I found they fit true to size, even with thick winter socks on, while still leaving some wiggle room for the toes. But as ever, try before you buy if you can, as this may not be the case for everyone.

On test, they proved to be very comfortable, even after several continuous long winter hill days bagging Munros in Scotland. This is aided by a slight rocker and a cutaway heel for a natural gait, which ensures easy ‘walkability’.

The boots hold the heel securely without any slippage, which is impressive for a stiffer mountain boot. The tongue and lace padding aren’t the most generous, but distribute pressure evenly without any discomfort.

The supple ankle collar also does a great job of allowing sufficient mobility due to its rear Achilles cutaway and soft, stretch fabric. This also helps to easily get the boots on and off, while hugging the calf and Achilles to help prevent snow or grit getting in.

Its supple and flexible feel only becomes a drawback when traversing steeper slopes or wearing crampons, as you do get noticeably less support when front pointing, for example.

There’s no dedicated insulation in the Aequilibrium LT, but the nubuck uppers and Gore-Tex lining ensure sufficient warmth for winter walking, providing you’re staying reasonably active in the cold, and just pausing briefly for lunch or rest stops.

If you expect to be hanging around for hours at a winter belay, I'd advise you to look elsewhere – but if that’s the case, you’re probably in need of a B2/B3 boot, not a B1/B2 like the Aequilibrium LT.

One final bonus when it comes to all-day comfort is the fact that the Aequilibrium is very light, at least for a B1/B2 boot.

There are some other crampon-compatible modern mountain boots out there that are lighter still (such as the Danner Crag Rat Evo, Salewa Ortles Light Powertex Mid, Mammut Taiss Light Mid GTX and Kayland Grand Tour GTX), but the Aequilibrium feels more durable, protective and well-cushioned than any of those rivals.

This boot offers first-class comfort for those long winter hill days where you want to reduce lower-body fatigue.

Sustainability

Eighty per cent of La Sportiva’s climbing, mountain and ski mountaineering footwear lines are produced on their Ziano di Fiemme site in Trentino, Italy. I think this includes the Aequilibrium LT GTX – they’re certainly made in the EU. This obviously minimises their carbon footprint for European and UK markets.

At the Trentino site, 54% of the facility’s energy needs are met from renewables, of which 37% come from 'Guarantee of Origin' sources, 3.5% is self-produced from an on-site photovoltaic system and 13% from district heating fed by biomass. Meanwhile, 98% of production waste is recovered and transformed into by-products.

It’s also a durable boot made from robust materials, which further emphasises sustainability through longevity. They can also be resoled to extend their lifespan. The brand has a network of 54 authorised resolers, who are supplied with original spare parts.

Price and competition

The most obvious competitors to the Aequilbrium LT are probably their La Sportiva stablemates, the Trango Tower GTX, and their fellow Italian rivals, the Scarpa Ribelle Lite HD.

Both of those models are around the same weight and probably offer slightly superior steep ground performance, especially with a crampon fitted – but the Aequilibrium has better cushioning, easier walkability and superior traction when you’re tackling mixed winter terrain without crampons on.

That’s mostly thanks to its innovative Vibram sole unit, which has beefy lugs for stellar soft-ground grip. The rubber compound does feel a bit softer than rivals, which will no doubt lead to faster wear in comparison.

On the other hand, this tackiness ensures good contact grip on slick, wet rock. And the lugs on the Aequilibrium are so chunky that we’d still expect decent lifetime durability. Our test pair have got through two winter seasons now without showing significant wear.

If you want a solid winter hillwalking boot with a more accommodating fit, then it’s worth considering the Hanwag Makra Pro GTX. This comes in at a similar weight to the Aequilibrium LT GTX but is actually £45 cheaper (at RRP) than the latter's £345 ($319) price tag.

It’s similarly well-made, with padded suede leather uppers, and is very comfortable for long days, but the more generous Alpine Wide last will probably suit those with broader feet more than the La Sportiva model.

The downside is that when it comes to neatness and precision on technical terrain, the Aequilibrium undoubtedly has the edge.

Verdict

The La Sportiva Aequilibrium LT GTX is a versatile crampon-compatible boot with a near-perfect blend of walking comfort, robust build quality and low weight. Only on the steepest and most technical ground would you want something stiffer.

About the author

Matt Jones is a freelance journalist based in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, he’s a vastly experienced gear tester and self-confessed outdoor kit geek. Matt’s been one of our main gear testers for the last couple of years and is the first person we call with any complicated kit queries that need in-depth and forensic analysis.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Live For The Outdoors newsletter to get expert advice and outdoor inspiration delivered to your inbox!