Scarpa Kailash GTX

Nice sole and support, questionable durability. Very comfortable!

This is for the previous version (2014 and earlier?) of the Kailash GTX. I think it's the first generation. Not sure how the newer one compares.

Overall this is a really good boot for comfort and performance. I used it for 4-5 years of heavy backpacking and ridge scrambles. No problems with waterproofing or traction, although it roles a bit on tiny edges. That's to be expected though. The sole resists the trail quite well, if that makes sense. You won't feel much down there even with a heavy pack. I look for that in boots so my feet don't get sore or tired too quickly.

Fit and sizing seem to be spot on. I have an average width heel, and slightly wider forefoot, and I had no problems with the fit. I do not believe Scarpa is only for narrow feet as is commonly stated. 

I did run into some issues with durability. After the second long pack trip in these the stitching on the inside (right by where the boot flexes) began to give way. This happened on both boots, after an off-trail desert trip. That's about as hard on a boot as you can get, and Scarpa replaced them for free under warranty with no questions asked. I did use barge cement on all the seams with the replacement pair, and this never happened again.

Second, and it's the reason I retired them—they seemed to shrink after getting wet one too many times. The boots fit perfect for over four years, but all of the sudden I started getting heel blisters. (This is wet to the point that the leather is soaked through, the Gore tex still kept my feet dry.) Anyway, looking sideways at the boots it seemed like the heel pocket got stretched forward or something so there was too much slope. I can only assume it was due to shrinking, but this was trashing my feet so the boots had to go.

Anyway, I still think it's a worthy boot. For around $200 I got 5 years of use—that's at least 20 backpacking trips and countless day hikes and peak scrambles. I was sad to see the uppers let me down because the soles still had plenty of life in them.

I recently purchased a pair of Scarpa Kailash GTX boots, and went on my first backpack trip with them September 20, 2008. It was a one night 10 mile trip, so not a long one. However, for not having a chance to break them in the comfort was amazing! They also supported my feet well, which considering my weak ankles is important.

I also have problems with plantar faciaitis, and my orthotics combined with the Vibram sole of this boot produced comfort and pain free walking which I did not get with my previous boot. I have not had these boots long, but I now can look forward to long trips and happy feet at the end of the day!

If you really want quality, Scarpa can be the right boot for daily use in the city or in the mountains.

I bought a pair in 2009, ten years ago. I do not have the adjectives to explain their quality and durability, even if I had the utmost care for their maintenance.

Each season they have been worn almost daily for at least four months a year, starting in November and until March. There are two to three periods of about 7-10 days each during the cold season when the temperatures drop to -10-15° Celsius and reach even -20 to -25 degrees Celsius.

At temperatures between -5 and 5 degrees Celsius I wore a thin sock without the legs sweating. Under these temperatures I used a thick sock, a special type, and I never felt cold. The design of this model allows those with a thicker or wider foot to have maximum comfort. Also, the sole has good adhesion on slippery surfaces.

Fatigue signs came after eight years when I felt there was something wrong with the soles. This year they actually yielded in three days, meaning that the sole was split off at the left leg.

I never thought I'd wear a pair of boots for so long.

Background

This was the very first product of this type.

The Scarpa Kailash GTX is comfortable, has a versatle weight, is breathable and is great for people with narrow heals and feet.

Let me start with the fact that I went through many boots to finally land on this one. I had some of the old Italian made Vasque Sundowner GTX boots for over 8 years and I thought nothing could ever come close. I was wrong.

I have narrow heels as well as feet in general so I was told by numerous people to give Scarpa or LaSportiva a try. I tried both and decided on the Kailash GTX given the lighter weight and good construction. I saw it as a versitle boot that could either be used for day hikes or on longer backpacking adventures.

I love this boot. It is extremely durable, shows little wear after many miles, is very breathable as well. I also no longer get blisters even when it's humid outside. I am a Scarpa person now

Excellent, supportive boot. Waterproof. Flexible. Medium weight. Comfortable straight out of the box.

The best hiking boot I've ever used. A relatively narrow boot, not everyone has broad feet! It's certainly not the lightest boot out there, but it's certainly not in the heavy-range either.

At last, I've found a Gore-tex-lined boot that actually keeps the water out. I've been through three different types of Salomon Gore-tex-lined boots, all supposedly waterproof, yet they all leaked through the seams almost from being brand new.

The Kailash's I've walked repeatedly through streams that were just below the top of the boot, and my feet have remained dry the entire trip — very important in the winter months. 

I take 1 star off for the lightweight footbed inserts. I replaced them with proper shock-absorbing inserts, to make the boots near-perfect.

Highly recommended!

Great medium-duty hiking/backpacking boot; poor durability.

I have worn these boots as a light to medium-duty hiking boot. I have used these exclusively for this purpose.

Right out of the box I was very impressed (as per usual with Scarpa) with the incredible comfort, support, and performance.

However, unlike other Scarpa boot I have owned; I have not found them to be durable.  

My experience is that the tread on the sole wore out relatively quickly (one season).

I have also found that the mid-sole has deteriorated rapidly and now offers little to no support.

Although impressed with the performance of this boot, I would have expected a longer performance life.