Goat Gear - Our regular review of the latest in outdoors gear!

This month

Scarpa Assault Boots

But a new contender has just stepped into the ring - The Scarpa Assault! I gave these boots a good hammering on some ice a few weeks ago. Walking to the ice-face, I kept staring at my feet and smiling - the boots felt great!

The Assaults easily accepted step-in crampons - a deep groove for the front bale and a beefy shelf for the heel piece sped things along there - I had the feeling that the crampons would not dislodge even in the worst conditions.

Climbing 'Dracula' up on the Frankenstein Cliffs of New Hampshire, I was impressed with the responsiveness of the boots - no heel lift and an excellent fit to my feet made climbing easy.

The construction of the boot is beautiful - when you take them out of the box, you'll be immediately aware of their solid construction. The deep green leather is a thick slab of full-grain reversed anfibio, both abrasion and water-resistant. A high rand will prevent destruction of the boot from scree, crampon points and other dark forces aligned against your boots. To give you a rigid platform necessary for ice-climbing, Scarpa pops a carbon-fibre insert into the midsole for maximum support, and minimum weight. A removable footbed aids in maintaining a dry foot, and a combination of leather and Cambrelle are used on the lining to further aid moisture-wicking. A roomy toe-box will give your toes the extra room they need to stay warmer and un-crushed by hours of climbing. Although leather boots are not usually good in sub-zero temperature, you have enough room in the Assaults for a toe-warmer, so you can stay warm in these boots for longer than you might think.

At $398.00 this boot is more expensive that its competitors, but in my opinion, the extra comfort and security afforded by its excellent construction is well worth the extra money. For more information:

Fabiano Shoes
850 Summer St.
South Boston, MA 02127
617.268.5625