La Sportiva TX Hike GTX Review

Analysis and Test Results

La Sportiva are a big name in the outdoor footwear market and the Italian company are one of the key players when it comes to cutting edge technical hiking and mountaineering boots. These TX Hike GTX shoes are not so exotic, technical or expensive. None the less, they share the DNA of their more specialized siblings and it’s clear that some of the design language of La Sportiva’s more technical footwear is implemented here. These shoes offer an attractive combination of durability, breathability and water resistance all in a relatively light weight package and, what’s more, we also think they are a stylish pair of shoes – maybe not an essential trait in functional outdoors gear, but definitely a bonus!

Performance Comparison

Traction

La Sportiva are well-known for making technical mountaineering boots. That heritage is visible in these much lighter TX Hike shoes, which sport a Vibram sole with a deep thread pattern that would not be out of place on a mountain boot. This sole unit should give excellent grip even in tricky conditions though, of course, on icy or muddy ground or on wet, slick rocks, even the best gripping soles cannot guarantee traction.

Breathability

The upper section and tongue of these shoes makes extensive use of a well-ventilated mesh material which allows for good breathability. There are better ventilated shoes out there, but it’s worth bearing in mind that these models often achieve this by compromising on water resistance – something that these La Sportiva shoes do not. Unless you hike in a very dry place, it’s always worth considering breathability alongside water resistance in any purchasing decision – and that is generally true of all outdoor clothing and not just footwear.

Ankle Support

The La Sportiva TX Hike GTX is a shoe rather than a boot and as such it doesn’t directly provide any ankle support. Whilst boots are still the preferred choice for technical hiking and mountaineering, many hikers prefer the increased ankle mobility and lower weight offered by shoes. La Sportiva also offer the TX Hike as a mid-high boot for those who would prefer some extra ankle support.

Arch Support

The La Sportiva TX Hike GTX comes with a cushioned insole that offers neutral arch support. The vast majority of buyers will be perfectly happy with these – they offer arch support in line with most other hiking shoes on the market. However, for some hikers, additional arch support is a non-negotiable and in this case it’s worth bearing in mind that the provided insoles can easily be swapped out for something more heavily shaped to provide just this.

Fit

The La Sportiva TX Hike GTX is offered in a wide range of sizes from US 6/UK 5/EU 38 all the way up to US 15/UK 14/EU 49.5. La Sportiva publish slightly contradictory guidance on sizing, but it basically boils down to the advice that if you have wide or particularly large feet that you should order slightly larger than your normal size.

Materials

The La Sportiva TX Hike GTX is made entirely from synthetic materials. This has become increasingly common in hiking footwear over the past few years as manufacturers move away from traditional heavy, poorly ventilated and inflexible leather designs. These TX Hike shoes may have a retro-inspired look, but the materials they are made from a certainly cutting edge in terms of shoe design.

Appearance

We like the look of the La Sportiva TX Hike GTX. They borrow from the design language of La Sportiva’s technical mountaineering boots with their rubber rand around the toe section and chunky Vibram sole. There’s something almost retro about their look, and these are certainly more understated than some of La Sportiva’s other hiking shoes and boots. On closer inspection you’ll see they are made entirely from modern synthetic materials and we think the design makes good use of contrasting material textures too. These shoes are available in a number of different color ways – all relatively neutral.

Durability

As mentioned above, the design of the La Sportiva TX Hike GTX borrows heavily from more technical mountaineering footwear, and the good news here is that these features – like a thick rand at the toe and heel – will all add to the durability of this product. Add in the use of durable synthetic materials in their construction, and there’s no reason why these shoes should not last a long time.

Sustainability

La Sportiva make a big deal about integrating recycled material into the synthetic fabrics used in the upper sections of the TX Hike GTX. Unfortunately, they do not publish any data on how much recycled material is used. It’s also positive to see that they are using Bluesign Certified Gore Tex – meaning that the production of this material meets strict environmental standards.

Water Resistance

The La Sportiva TX Hike GTX shoes feature a Gore Tex membrane. This layer is both breathable and water resistant. Whilst it won’t keep your feet dry if they submerged for any length of time whilst, say, crossing a stream, it will keep them dry in all but the heaviest of rain. Remember, that in heavy rain, water can get into your shoes via the ankle cuff – so your feet can still get wet, even if the Gore Tex is doing its job.

Weight

Weighing in at 790g/1lb 12oz, the La Sportive TX Hike GTX are sit roughly in the middle of the shoes we have assessed in terms of weight. For hikers whose main concern is light weight, there are certainly lighter options out there, but when considered alongside their rugged build, the weight of these shoes look particularly attractive.

Insoles

These La Sportiva shoes come with a set of removable, cushioned insoles. Most buyers will be absolutely fine with these, but, if you want to adjust the fit or comfort of your shoes, then replacing the supplied insoles with readily-available aftermarket insoles is a perfect way to add more cushioning to the footbed or better ach support if needed. For some hikers, these  small adjustments can make a massive difference to the comfort of their shoes.

Break-in Period

The days of rigid old hiking boots that took days or even weeks to bed in before they could be worn on a long hike are long gone. Most modern hiking footwear – these La Sportiva shoes included- are much more like trainers with a very short break-in period. That said, no shoe is completely without a breaking-in period, and we always think it’s wise to wear new shoes on a few short local walks – or just around your home for a few days – before heading out on a longer walk.

Lacing System

The La Sportiva TX Hike GTX uses regular laces. It may not seem like there’s much to say about these, but most hikers are unaware of how much flexibility laces provide in terms of adjusting the comfort and fit of their shoes. Adjusting the tension of the laces at various points – or even completely changing the lacing pattern – can make subtle and also quite substantial differences to the way your shoes fit.

Toe Protection

The La Sportiva TX Hike GTX borrows from the design language of La Sportiva’s iconic mountaineering boots in many ways and that includes a rand – or a reinforced rubber strip – around the toes. Whilst this is not as sturdy as what you’d find on the brand’s mountain boots, it does provide a decent level of toe protection in the event that you accidentally kick into a rock or trip on the trail.

Conclusion

La Sportiva are a well-respected brand in the outdoor industry. Their products are generally not cheap, but are also generally highly regarded. Whilst the brand is rightly famous for their technical mountaineering footwear, they also make a lot of more regular footwear and these TX Hike GTX shoes definitely fall into this latter category. These shoes take cues from the design language of the company’s mountain boots and this isn’t just stylistic – it helps with their durability too. Add in their relatively light weight and good mix of breathability and water resistance and it’s clear why these shoes could be an attractive choice for many hikers.