Winter Mountaineering Boot Suggestions?

[gunrunner32]

As the title states, I am looking for a good pair of winter mountaineering boots. The terrain is pretty rugged where I am and if it's anything like last winter I'll be looking at upwards of 3 feet of snow. I already have a few pairs of boots picked out, but I always like hearing peoples suggestions.

Here is what I'm looking for; I need to be able to walk upwards of 10 miles comfortably in them, must be water proof, have a sole strong enough to handle rocky terrain, be cramp-on compatable (I'll be snow shoeing in these as well), they must come in a 13/13.5 (47/47.5), they must be a leather boot (I've never liked the plastic ones) and above all not be brightly colored (prefered earth tones or greys and blacks).

Here are the boots I'm currently looking at:

La Sportiva Men's Glacier Boot - Free Shipping on La Sportiva orders over $49 at Moosejaw_

La Sportiva Makalu Boot - Free Shipping on La Sportiva orders over $49 at Moosejaw_

Scarpa Men's Liskamm GTX Boot - Free Shipping on Scarpa orders over $49 at Moosejaw_

These will unfortunantly be an internet purchase and I'm not partial to one vendor over another. Thanks in advance for the suggestions and advice.

[Lumber_Jack]

If it were me I would Go with the Scarpa simply because of the gore-Tex. Does it matter if they are Automatic crampon compatible? I have a close friend who loves these

Scarpa Men's Triolet Pro GTX Boot - Free Shipping on Scarpa orders over $49 at Moosejaw

I really don't think you will be disappointed with any of your choices. I have had great experience with both brands in non-mountaineering boots.

[Guest GunTroll]

Hey buddy! Doing some mtn hiking eh?

All of those would be great. I'd stick to a 3/4 shank rather than going full. Not sure what any of those choices are. I have tried both 3/4 and full shanks while living in WY. The full shank I had was more of a randonee set up/plastic hard boot and worked well in snow when needed and of course the decent. For you.... that would be over kill.

Enjoy the forced on the job break in sucka!!! I'd hate to have your feet! Be safe.

[gunrunner32]

GunTroll, thanks for the suggestion on the 3/4 shank, I hadn't really put much thought in the 3/4 or full shank. As for the forced break in, it wouldn't be the first time I've put a pair of boots directly in the line of fire. The most I get is hot spots, thankfully my feet have gotten pretty tough over the last couple years. Oh and yea there are a couple of mountains around for me to get on. I'll have pictures when I get back from my trek.

Lumber_Jack, Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunantly orange and silver aren't really going to work where I am. I do like the design and features though, I just wish all good climbing/mountaineering equipment wasn't so brightly colored.

[Guest GunTroll]

Not sure of your time line to get them but have you thought to call direct and tell them your tale? They might do something for you. Might not.

Unless your dealing with an ice fall/sheer vertical or planning on skiing down hill (fast) I suspect the 3/4 is all you will need.

Wish you well!