FEATURES
At 1756g the La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX boot is exceptionally lightweight for a winter mountain boot. The upper features a seamless synthetic design with a Gore-Tex waterproof lining, an abrasion-resistant nylon and a thermoplastic covering. A rubber rand is provided to protect the upper, and it is free of stitching so it should be durable. The outsole is a Vibram Cube unit that has deep, well-spaced lugs and a smooth climbing zone under the toe. 5/5
FIT
There is no women’s option here so the La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX is limited to men with foot sizes 41-47. The fit felt narrower than some others, but this also gave it a benefit of feeling neat and precise on the foot. There is good volume in the toe box to wiggle the toes. The ankle cuff is slightly lower than others and allows slightly less forward flex. 3/5
COMFORT
The low weight adds comfort, but this does not feel quite as soft and comfy around the foot as other boots that are heavier. The narrow fit and slightly stiffer forward flex of the ankle cuff again reduce basic comfort compared to others. The La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX is not uncomfortable, though, but others are more comfy – and obviously the size range limits comfort for women. 4/5
IN USE
The big benefit here is the low weight combined with a neat and close fit that allows this boot to perform better than heavier models when scrambling or climbing. The lugs on the sole are great for soft snow, and the stiffness is ideal for edging and use with crampons with a heel clip. The smooth area under the toe is ideal for climbing precision, but the toe flex is not quite the smoothest for walking. 4/5
VALUE
The La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX’s cost is in the upper construction, which saves weight; but of course if you don’t need the weight benefit this won’t be valued. 4/5
VERDICT
The La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX is a men’s lightweight boot that is ideal for more technical ground, but others have smoother flex and comfort for walking. 4.0/5
Review by Graham Thompson
First published in Trail magazine January 2017