Customer Reviews Scarpa Kailash GTX®

Surprise! Lost among a sea of choices and reviews, I didn't know where to turn as I looked for a new pair of hiking shoes. Too many shoes that I took off the shelf felt like cement blocks. I was wearing out a pair of Rockports. A pair of Vasque Sundowners, they were handsome shoes, but heavy and stiff and I just couldn't seem to break them in and reach a degree of real comfort. Then an acquaintance, just getting into hiking, recommended Scarpa's which he had happened upon at random. Not certain whether I needed a size 8 or an 8.5, I ordered both sizes from Zappos. The 8 was too tight-fitting, but the 8.5 was as close to perfect as I could imagine in a hiking shoe. Snug, but not tight; stable, but not stiff; light-weight, but rugged at the same time. I like the lacing - no crimping behind the toes. The appearance? The color is okay and well, after all, these are hiking shoes and not fancy loafers. Hear me for Scarpas! The style I have is the Kailash (named for a sacred and therefore unscaled mountain in the Himalayas).

Great fit. I first got the Kayland Zephyr and really like the look of them but the toes got too narrow and hurt my feet, I had never had a problem like that before. I've heard so much about the Kailash that I tried it and I'm glad I did. Feel and fit are excellent. I've been very pleased with this boot and highly recommend it.

Initially seemed good - I got these, 2 Asolos (Fugitive and TPS 520), and the Montrail Torres. After just trying them on and walking around the house, these are definitely the best fit. The heel slips a little for me, but when I put in my Superfeet from my running shoes, the slippage becomes very minimal. Someone else commented that this shoe was especially narrow. It actually squeezes my pinky toe less than the Asolos or Montrails. I wear a 12 ½ running shoe, and the 13 for this boot seems to fit. Zappos ran out of the 12 ½, so I wasn't able to try it. Perhaps it would fix the heel slippage without the Superfeet.

Quality boot. After two weeks I think this is a great boot. A couple of days to break in but are getting more comfortable by the day. They are light weight but provide good support with my 40# pack. Quality is top notch and fit is true to size. My only complaint is I would like more arch support but I plan to try some superfeet insoles. All in all a great boot.

I have and have had many boots. These soles have the best grip I have had on any boot. They stick like my straight rock climbing shoes. Great for anything where you don’t need massive, all leather support.

A good choice! I almost always look for product reviews before making purchase decisions, so here is my two cents worth. I hope this will help someone like me. Recently, I decided to get back into hiking and backpacking after a long hiatus. My first priority was to get new boots to replace my old traditional hiking boots made by Pacific Mountain Sports. I headed to REI near my house and tried virtually every mid-weight boot they had. (You know how it goes: some were a little wide, some pinched across the top, some didn't have good cushion, etc.) A pair of Vasque Wasatch GTX boots fit very well, but I wanted to do a little more research before plunking down the bucks only to find a better boot later. I poked around the internet and found Backpacker magazine's review of the Scarpa Kailash. I figured that if this boot was their Editor's Choice, it was worth a look. Originally, I could not find them in my size (US 11) anywhere and purchased its sibling boot, the Mustang GTX instead. Upon their arrival, I immediately tried them on with my thick military boot socks and Coolmax liners both made by "Techspun." Before even lacing the boots up, I knew I needed an 11 1/2 (US). After processing my return, I found the Kailash GTX (size 11 1/2) in stock and quickly ordered them. I received them following day thanks to Zappos.com upgrading me to overnight delivery via FEDEX. I tried them on and found the 11 1/2 fit perfectly. I wore them around the house for a few hours to get a good feel for them and was truly amazed at how much cushion they had. The Kailash GTX's were literally light years away from my old all leather hiking boots with Vibram Kletterlift soles. (I've had two knee operations, so cushioning is now a priority for me.) My first hike was around two miles on decent dirt trails (I had my 4 year old with me) in the local foothills. The boots were very comfortable and secure/supportive in all the right places. Great forefoot flex. No blisters, heel slippage, or hot spots. My second hike was 4 miles on decomposed granite as well as crushed/broken stone in the area of Mt. Lowe, Angeles National Forest. Going up, I noticed a hot spot on my right heel and dreaded my decision to wear one of my Techspun boot socks that was worn thin in the heel. (After my first hike without any problems, I figured I could get away with it.) I laced the boots a little tighter which helped lock my heel in better, but the very small blister had already started to form. On the way down, I hit some loose rock and rolled my ankle. The boots provided great support and were stiff enough across the ankle to prevent injury. I am very happy with the boots and would highly recommend them. Backpacker magazine obviously did their research and picked a fine boot that needs little or no break-in period. I don't think you will be disappointed by these boots. I would only caution buyers to choose a half size larger if they happen to wear thick wool socks. After this positive experience, I think I'm a Scarpa customer for life. Thank you to Zappos for great customer service and a great selection of boots.

Quick break in! I put these on and wore them around the house for almost two days trying to find a fit flaw. Aside from a very minor pinch at the ankle (fixed with creative lacing) they fit great. First time out on a trail was Red Rock in AZ. It was a short established tourist type trail, but again, they felt supportive for their light weight and very "grippy" on rock. Back east, I wore them on a 5 mile day hike in Harriman State Park over trail and melon sized rocks. Again, the boot was stabilizing, provided good traction and was very light on my feet. No hot spots or blisters at all during break in.

Scarpa Kailash GTX - WOW! Scarpa craftsmen have scored with a SUPERB boot. They fit right out of the box like they had already been broken in... No heel or top of foot discomfort like so many other boots. Scarpa has gained a customer for life.

These boots seem to be very well made. However, if you have wide feet, do not even consider these boots. I am normally a 12, I ordered a 13 and the boot was still too narrow for my feet. Scarpa makes these boots in a wide. Zappos needs to carry a wide option.

After doing an extensive research on all boots I finally decided to get the Scarpa. I needed a boot for the upcoming winter in Afghanistan that was Gore-Tex and comfortable. I got the boots to trek mostly in the city. I was skeptical about the sizing which runs true to fit. I've worn military boots ranging from 8.5 - 9 reg fit. I ended up with an 8.5 and felt that toebox was small and could have gone a half size bigger. I've been wearing regular white socks and they are comfortable but probably wouldn't wear thick/wool type socks besides they are Gore-Tex. Minimal break-in time and they look great. With Zappos you can't beat the price and they shipped rather fast to Afghanistan. I'd want to say 7-10 days!

My first pair of Uggs and the most expensive boot I’ve ever purchased. LOVE shoes, but really know how to bargain shop to get what I want inexpensively. Boots fit great, no breaking in needed. Warm and cozy. First pair of boots I’ve ever owned that didn’t need a couple wears to feel comfortable.

Not for me - After reading the reviews, how could I not want to buy this shoe? Well, I think for the price, you can get much better for less money. Did not like the break in at all! Still not fully broken in 12 days later wearing them 8 to 10 hours a day. Shoe was also very narrow, a toe jammer for a person who has never needed a wide width shoe. Just my opinion, but I think a better shoe would be North Face, Asolo, or Vasque.

I own two pairs of Scarpas, the SLM3 and these. I bought them less than a year ago (through Zappos of course, won't buy shoes anywhere else!) and while they still look good, and were very comfortable, the left heel blew out. A bit disappointing in such a pricey boot. (The SLM3s by the way are still rock solid.)

Stunningly beautiful, well made boot. My forefoot area is a bit too wide for it, however. But if you do not have a very wide forefoot, this is a magnificently made boot that feels fabulous. Grab it.

I bought a pair of Scarpa Himavan (seem to be discontinued) 2 years ago and they have been awesome. So comfortable and dry; dry from puddles and as well they sweat little on my feet. I walk a daily exercise up and down gulley's around 900 miles a year, plus in the boots I work our 15 acre farm of tractor gardens, backyard garden, and hugalculture, goats, fowl, several dozen fruit trees, nuts, berries....I am active. I wore the heals off. I had the heals ground down and new boot hills put on them 4 times, wearing out that many heals off those boots. At one time the boots cracked from abuse in the bend of the front behind the toe area, so I sealed that cracking off with flexible waterproof glue...on and on the boots went, with a rugged look fine with me. My feet have been the healthiest and most pain free I would wish. If these boots would have been bad, I would have said so, therefore in fairness I owe telling the boast of them. I will throw the boots away today, and begin wearing new boots I bought as replacements many months ago. I regret seeing these supporting and comfortable boots end service.

2015 model initial impressions. I tried the older version and was not overly impressed. The new version for 2015 which is the one listed as the color Cigar/Fog has some note worthy improvements. The eyelets on the new model are of much higher quality and durability than the outgoing version. The outsole allows you a noticeably smoother gait in a wider variety of terrain in my opinion. The PU midsole has improved impact reduction while maintaining good lateral and longitudinal support. I have an average size arch and the boot provides a good arch that doesn't feel to high or too low. As most of you reading this probably don't use factory insoles I can say that the insoles that comes with this boot are better than average but I do not use them. Ankle flex was good on the outgoing model but it is slightly better on the newer one. As a quick comparison, the heel cup, tongue and shaft padding is far, far superior in comfort, density and it appears to be a better quality allowing a much higher level of comfort when compared to a Lowa renegade and the Scarpa offers better off road support from the midsole. The Last on this model is slightly more narrow than the Scarpa E-Revolution if your curious. My very first day of use I moved over 800lbs of material, not at one time of course, on varying terrain with no hot spots or issues what so ever. This boot feels great when carrying 25-35lbs and feels as though you could carry more without issue. The outsole is not completely self cleaning but it's not that bad either depending on terrain composition. I have found that for the overwhelming majority of boots I need to order 1/2 size up to be in my comfort zone. This is true overall for Lowa, Scarpa, Asolo, Ecco, etc. and I find that these are no different. Even Scarpa's web site will tell you to order 1/2 to one full size up based on your activity. So, I would say these are true to size because the 10.5 fit just right and it is clear that a 10 would be cramping my pinky toe. The toe box has good room and overall this shoe provides for a medium/medium plus volume foot adequate space without being too tight or feeling cramped. All in all, Scarpa did a great job making improving to a well liked boot where it was needed.

This is an extremely well made boot but was too hard in the heel for me. Not enough cushioning. I have issues with my heels hurting so I'm also looking for different boots. I wish they'd have worked. They look great!

I bought these boots two years ago and used them for trail hiking, biking, and everyday walking practically every single day, year-round in temperatures as low as -45 in Yellowknife (NWT). They are perfect in all kinds of weather, winter as well as long as one stays very active. They are the most comfortable and versatile boots I ever owned and they are well worth the price.

Great boots! My oldest son has had Scarpa hiking boots for 3-4 years and he loves them. Purchased these for another son for Christmas. Great quality, very comfortable. The color is rather light but I suspect that they will darken over time.

I typically don't do reviews but felt I had to with this boot. Very comfortable right out of the box hiked Franconia ridge with a 30lb pack for an overnight trip the day after I recieved them, no blisters felt good. Great boot for those with low volume feet. Finally found a pair of hiking boots that work and fit well.

After spending 20+ years in Special Forces and understanding the importance of quality boots, I purchased these boots for hiking in Europe. These were true to size and good for 20 miles out of the box with good socks. Love them and will buy again if they or like item of equal quality are available!

These are about the best hiking boots I've ever owned. They are extremely comfortable with good ankle support. My measured size is 12.5 and it is nearly impossible to find good shoes in 12.5, so the fact that these came in European sizes allowed me to find the perfect fit (46.5) for my feet in a way that would be improbable with American shoes. I'm not wild about the color but that's nitpicking. Highly recommended.

The quality of this boot is top notch; however, I wouldn't consider it to be a "medium" in width as advertised - this is a pretty narrow boot and I had to return it. Unfortunate, it looked solid otherwise. Thankfully, Zappos VIP has an excellent return/exchange process!

I have had these boots for nearly three years. The tread is nearly bald but they are still my choice for hiking in. These are the best hikers that I have ever owned, they are a great all-around boots.