Lowa Cristallo X Pro Gore-Tex Boots: Technical Prowess and Comfort

Posted on: February 6, 2008

Chris Brazeau

Weight: 5 pounds (Men’s 9)

I've always been skeptical of Gore-Tex footwear, and it's almost guaranteed that I'll have cold feet regardless of the temperature (unless I'm clunking around in double boots), so I was curious to see how these boots would perform climbing and scratching around the Canadian Rockies.

Handcrafted in Italy, the X Pro is an advanced version of Lowa's Cristallo boot featuring a combination upper of split leather and a material called Keprotec, made by Schoeller and first used in motorcycle wear. They also provide double insulation: a Gore-Tex Primaloft lining with an additional layer of Thinsulate.

Climbing in the Rockies generally involves a decent approach, usually wallowing through snow for a couple of hours, even climbing sometimes. The boots impressed me on all kinds of terrain, though I may be biased: they fit my foot perfectly. Despite being very stiff, their great shape and a slight rocker to the Vibram sole made for comfortable approaches. And when it came time to stand on frontpoints for a few hours, this is where they really shined, offering the ultimate combination: technical prowess and comfort.

It's hard to say if the Gore-Tex/Keprotec composite is any more breathable than leather (or, for that matter, any more durable), but on the whole I thought the X Pro was more water-resistant and well crafted. They proved a great all-around winter mountaineering boot. From wobbly ice pillars to sketchy mixed climbs to long days in the hills, these boots kept my feet warm, dry, and comfortable--consistently--all which make for happy days in the hills.

Pros: Warm; water-resistant; comfortable yet technical.

Cons: Very stiff, but design allows for maximum comfort; no more durable than most leather boots.