Review: Scarpa Mont Blanc Pro GTX

For an all-around mountain boot, I found the Scarpa Mont Blanc Pro GTX to be ideal. Snug and comfy right out of the box, with an Advanced Mid-Sole System for shock absorption and increased sensitivity, the Mont Blanc served me well in a wide range of alpine applications. It’s got all the standard features—crampon compatibility, Gore-Tex for waterproofness, Vibram soles—plus a floating tongue for optimal fit and an multidirectional flex for a more natural foot-fall. This soft boot may not be quite as warm as its plastic counterpart, but it makes up for it in increased agility. That’s not to say the Mont Blanc’s limp-wristed (or ankled, as it were)—the boot performs quite well when front-pointing and on sustained pitches of steep snow and ice—just that it’s not so stiff you can’t wear it on a long, non-technical approach. I’ve even heard of guys sporting them on late-season elk hunts—the big question is, does the “mango” hue count toward your required amount of hunter orange? Available at Timber Trails, Grizzly Outfitters, Schnee's, and Northern Lights Trading Company. $548; scarpa.com