• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • m243The M24: America’s Headhunter
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
        • p320-full-leftSIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can’t Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
        • TISAS_10100520_1__98179Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
        • The Gallagator 10 day pack on the shoreline next to a hiking trail.Day Pack – Mystery Ranch Gallagator 10 – The Best Yet?
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Tom and Blake Sell TeaHow Sasquatch Tea Is Revitalizing a Stagnant Tea Market With Veterans and Outdoorsmen in Mind
        • redcat-blackwidow-articleheaderWar of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
        • craft holstersCraft Holsters Makarov Tuckable IWB Holster Report
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise
Footwear

Scarpa Kailash GTX Boots | An Italian on the rocks

June 14, 2017 by Vincent Sylvain Leave a Comment

Scarpa Kailash GTX Boots | An Italian on the rocks

Of the many activities that I’ve done over the years, hiking still is one of my favorite. Being out in the mountains either alone or with friends is something special. Getting lost in your thoughts just gazing at the picture Mother Nature gives you. But enough of the philosophical me and get on with the review. After 6 years of faithful service, my Lowa Terrano needed replacement. The Vibram sole was completely worn out, the leather was scuffed and torn and they weren’t quite as breathable as they used to be. I was on a budget and couldn’t afford another pair of Lowas.

Scarpa Kailash GTX Boots | An Italian on the rocks
On the rocks

Enter the Scarpa Kailash GTX to the picture. Scarpa is well-known in the backcountry skiing scene for making some of the best ski boots out there. although they might not be as well-known in the hiking scene they are just as well made and quite affordable. At a price tag of $220 USD you get a boot loaded with features and Goretex lined too.

Although my first choice would have been a full leather boot, I was quite surprised at how the Kailash were rigid for synthetic Nubuk constructed boot. That is thanks to a rubberized cross-piece stitched across the heel portion of the boot. This means even with heavier load your feet will not tend to shift sideways on uneven trails. Add the many cross stitches all along the sides also means a more rigid boot.

Scarpa Kailash GTX Boots | An Italian on the rocks
The Scarpa heel stiffener keeping your heel in place

One of my requirement was a Vibram sole. I’ve tried other types of soles but nothing comes close to the quality and durability of Vibram. Considering these boots will serve me 4 seasons in the mountains, traction was a key factor for me. The pattern of the sole maximizes the evacuation of debris while still giving you plenty of traction be it in mud, on rocks or on snow. Vibram also means all these attributes will last you for years.

Scarpa Kailash GTX Boots | An Italian on the rocks
Rocking the Vibram sole for years of enduring abuse.

This might sound less than important but the positioning of a rubberized patch on the toe cap means your boots will last you longer as this toe-cap will take the beating and not your boots itself getting scuffed and scrapped on the rocks.

Scarpa Kailash GTX Boots | An Italian on the rocks
Detail of the Scarpa Kailash GTX toe cap

I have had them for a little over 6 months now with about 5 to 6 trips to the New Hampshire White mountains. I also used them on several occasions to train with my rucksack. At first I must say the break-in period was longer than most other boots I had in the past. The fact that they are so rigid meant the first hike my feet took a beating (and I am used to walking a lot with heavy loads), but now they feel very comfortable while still retaining the level of stiffness and support I need in a hiking boot. The Goretex lining is also very effective for such an affordable boot. One of my first hikes of the year was during the so-called ”mud season” and to be honest I question myself all the way for hiking at the time. I was ankle-deep in mud most of the time and had many river crossings. Still not a single drop of water got through. I will add that I had OR gaiters on too.

While Scarpa and many other brands offer better and lighter boots, I feel that for the price this is a really great boot that will get you through many hikes. They can even be found cheaper online than the MSRP of $220 USD (I paid mine 240CAD).

Share This

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

About Vincent Sylvain

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
    SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
  • Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
    Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
  • Black Widow and the Brain: Palladyne and Red Cat Prove the Future Is Autonomous
    Black Widow and the Brain: Palladyne and Red Cat Prove the Future Is Autonomous
  • Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
    Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Winston Smiths on Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Jared Mize on The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife: A Commando Blade That Changed Special Forces Forever
  • GomeznSA on MAC-10: The Wild History of America’s Most Iconic (and Overrated) Submachine Gun

Latest From SOFREP

Op-Ed

The Bolduc Brief:  Israel’s Humanitarian City Plan – A Flawed Approach to Peace

Firearms

The M24 Sniper Weapon System: America’s Headhunter

US Politics

The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Rigged Politics: Gerrymandering, Term Limits, and Campaign Finance Gone Wild

News

Morning Brief: Putin Pushes Iran Toward ‘Zero Enrichment’ Nuclear Deal, Pacific Allies Train to Fight China

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...