La Sportiva FC 3.0 GTX Hiking Boot Review
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Hiking boots usually fall into two categories – can do… and can’t do. The latter category tends to disappoint about two hours into your day. Those comfy “get around town looking fashionable” boots are shredded, your toes hurt, and forget about carrying ANYTHING, much less a pack. La Sportiva takes the former category one step further – they created a day hiker that almost satisfies those “let’s get out in the woods and get lost for a week” cravings. Admittedly, we were skeptical at first, as the upper lacing system didn’t seem to have much support, and the heel cup felt slightly stiffer than advertised. However, after a few hours in, these boots were pleasantly surprising. The upper lacing held firm, they were supportive without cutting off circulation, and the heel cup didn’t cause chafing or blistering. This is due to La Sportiva’s new FC ECO technology – they focused on the key zones of flex in the boot, and added more forgiving materials. The goal is to add comfort and wearability without sacrificing performance, and so far they’ve lived up to the promise. Also interesting (for all you green people) is the heavy usage of recyclable materials; the outsole, midsole, upper, and liner all have varying material compositions in order to be more ECO friendly. With a Gore-Tex liner the FC 3.0 kept our feet dry while hiking in snowy and wet conditions. Fair warning – wear some hiking socks; just because you stay dry doesn’t necessarily mean you stay warm. As for your load, go ahead and offer to carry your friend’s extra jacket ’cause he’s terrible at packing – moderate loads were no problem. Just be sure to demand his share of the beer at camp. The bottom line: a great day hiker for those six hour, car camping adventures. The La Sportiva FC ECO 3.0 GTX’s definitely fall into the “Can Do” category. For more info on the FC 3.0 GTX and other La Sportiva footwear, visit www.sportiva.com or www.amazon.com/lasportiva.
