La Sportiva Trango Women’s Hiking Boots

Field Notes: The Trango made it to the top of the roster by fighting through sifting sands and muddy waters, tromping across craggy sandstone ridges and trails lined with melting snow. High scoring on all attributes, the Trango excelled on backpacking trips in Canyonlands National Park. The boot’s stability surpassed that of the Keen Logan, our pick for the top women’s hiking boot. 

Pros: Stable and sturdy, the Trango has La Sportiva’s mountaineering DNA in its design. On the heavier side, male and female testers concurred this model was noticeably more durable than other top models. Rubber toe and heel rands protect the wearer and promotes longevity.  The TPU Thermo Tech application to the upper fabric behaves like a lightweight shield to keep out water. And while testers appreciated the ankle support, La Sportiva succeeded in maintaining ankle mobility. 

Cons: While the build is durable and testers relished edging with the toe’s climbing zone, the Vibram Mulaz outsole didn’t provide grip and traction at parity with the Hoka One One boots. 

Favorite Feature: The 3D Flex ankle. Even when tied tightly, mobility was significant. La Sportiva positioned an ankle gap in the Thermo Tech upper so that the boot naturally hinges, compresses and reacts to the movement of the lower foot. A subtle feature, but one valued on day hikes, rock scrambles and backpacking trips alike.

Tester Quote: “I really loved this boot on the uphills. There were times on downhills – one 40-foot,  45-degree rock slope in particular – that sketched me out as I was worried the sole would slip out. But on uphills, the stability and the strong, edgable climbing zone on the toe made me feel extremely safe. I was able to pick up the pace.  Though not the lightest boot tested, it felt really fast. On a longer trip, this is my top choice.”

Bottom line: A hiking boot, built by a climbing company, that excels in technical terrain were high traction is not critical. This durable boot should get the job done for years to come