La Sportiva’s Trango family is quite extensive, ranging from the mightiest mountain boots to more humble hiking boots. The Trango Tech Leather GTX sits towards the hiking end of the scale and has been around since 2020, but our extensive testing has proven it’s still a seriously capable and well-rounded boot.
It occupies that strange niche between mountain walking, scrambling and full-on mountaineering. But this does mean that the La Sportiva Trango Tech is well equipped to deal with a range of technical terrain – even in winter conditions, as it is crampon compatible.
Pros
- Neat and precise feel
- Stable when scrambling
Cons
- Limited cushioning
- Narrower fit won’t suit everyone
| RRP: | £290 / $279 |
| Sizes: | Men’s EU 38-48, women’s EU 36-42 |
| Upper: | Nubuck leather and microfibre inserts |
| Waterproof lining: | Gore-Tex Performance Comfort |
| Weight: | 640g / 1 lb 7 oz (per boot, UK 8) |
According to the brand, it’s a favourite among rescue teams and mountain guides, which makes sense. After all, these are users who are looking for robust and comfortable kit that performs reliably in demanding conditions.
It’s also a tried and tested Trail magazine favourite, previously being among our top picks in the ‘best leather hiking boots’ category, where we selected it as the ideal technical leather boot.
Design and features
La Sportiva describes the Trango Tech Leather GTX as an ‘alpine hiking boot’ suitable for "technical approach routes". It’s essentially a light mountaineering boot – stiff enough to scramble in and take a crampon, but not quite as beefy (or as well insulated) as a full-on traditional B2.
In the UK, for example, they’d be well suited to year-round mountain adventures on a mix of rock, snow and ice. Occupying a middle ground, it’s a technical scrambling boot with the capability to tackle easier winter routes.
It’s worth noting that there are actually two variations of the Trango Tech – a synthetic textile version and a nubuck leather version.
The synthetic version is a bit lighter and a bit cheaper, but the leather version of the Tech offers significantly better durability, not to mention increased warmth in colder conditions, especially with snow and ice on the ground. For those reasons, I think it’s worth opting for the leather model.
Both models feature a PU midsole that's stiffened with a three-quarter length fibreglass shank, and a TPU plastic insert to take a C2 semi-automatic crampon (i.e. those fitted with a toe strap and heel bail).
The outsole is La Sportiva’s unique Vibram Cube unit, which features a classic mountaineering pattern with blocky lugs, a decent heel brake and a front climbing zone for edging.
The uppers look clean and modern, but are crafted in traditional style from a single piece of nubuck leather with minimal seams. That’s good, since seams are often failure points in terms of water-resistance and abrasion.
The boot is lined with a Gore-Tex membrane and has a good flood height thanks to its fully gusseted tongue. The front of the boot has a partial rubber rand for added resistance to impact and abrasion, while also offering good toe protection.
The midfoot and instep aren’t quite so well protected, but there is a rubber heel counter that cups the rear of the foot snugly.
Like all products in the La Sportiva Trango series, the boot adopts the brand’s 3D-Flex System, designed to promote flex and dynamic support. It’s basically a hinge in the upper, which gives greater ankle movement and comfort without compromising on stability. It makes for a more supple and forgiving feel around the base of the ankle, offering light padding and structure without limiting mobility.
Performance and comfort
I used these boots on several classic Snowdonia scrambles in early spring. They’re pretty much ideal for this type of terrain at that time of year.
This certainly isn’t the fanciest boot out there, but they feel solid and stable. The sole is decently grippy on rock, while the uppers are comfortable yet robust, and reliably waterproof.
It’s fairly firm underfoot, but that’s to be expected given the stiffened midsole. This might make it overkill for general hillwalking, especially if you’re used to more cushioned and flexible footwear. But for those venturing into mountainous terrain, it’s excellent.
That added stiffness becomes a positive boon on steeper and rockier terrain, providing a stable platform even on loose scree or when standing on small ledges.
The overall fit is fairly close, which ensures they feel neat and precise. This lends itself to good footwork – or at least gives you no excuses if you’re a clumsy scrambler! They seem to be on the narrower side though, which might not suit all foot shapes.
One minor gripe is that the Trango Tech Leather lacks a handy pull tab at the back for helping to get them on. It’s a minor niggle but I really like this feature on other boots.
Lastly, although I'd expect this to be a durable boot given the leather uppers, I did notice that the nubuck seemed to mark a bit more easily than some other boots I've tested. The synthetic areas that make up the 3D flex hinge aren’t perhaps the toughest either.
Sustainability
These boots are European-made for a lower carbon footprint and easier monitoring and auditing of factory conditions and standards. La Sportiva states that 27 of its 30 main suppliers are located in Italy, most of them within 300km of the brand's main production site.
They use high-quality materials for a longer lifespan, and both the rubber rand and sole can be replaced to further extend the product’s effective lifetime. La Sportiva has a network of 54 authorised footwear resolers across Europe and beyond.
As a brand, La Sportiva has been ISO certified to 14001 since 2003, which evaluates environmental aspects of companies from production facilities to finished materials.
This has also led to the introduction of a variety of supply chain solutions, such as a carbon active filter system, water-based glues and the recycling of 50% of production waste, including rubber scraps.
Price and competition
The Trango Tech Leather competes squarely with the Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX. Both are sturdy yet supple leather boots that boast approach shoe-esque stiffness underfoot and crampon compatibility, but with enough flex for mostly comfortable walking.
They’re also similarly priced, with RRPs of around £290/$280. The La Sportiva is slightly lighter, but the Scarpa is slightly better cushioned underfoot.
Which to pick really comes down to fit – in my experience, the Scarpa is a bit broader, whereas the La Sportiva is a narrower boot overall.
Another option to look at is the Hanwag Makra Pro – a more forgiving and accommodating boot with added cushioning compared to the Trango Tech, but a less precise and agile feel.
If you’re not bothered about having a leather boot and are happy to go synthetic, there’s also the Salewa Ortles Light Powertex Mid (even lighter, but not quite as stiff or supportive) and the AKU Viaz DFS GTX (more capable but also £50 more expensive). Or if money is no object, there’s the new Danner Crag Rat Evo (very light, very expensive).
Verdict
The La Sportiva Trango Tech Leather GTX is a solid, capable boot that's one of the best all-round options in this niche between technical hiking/scrambling and full-on mountaineering.
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.