Gear review: La Sportiva Women's Nepal Cube GTX

After about seven years of wearing its predecessor, I finally was ready to give the newer version of La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX a try, and how I wish I had done it earlier. The Nepal Cube GTX is a newer version of Nepal Evo, which is still in the market. This newer model is much lighter...by almost a full pound. It also felt a tad warmer than the older version.

I brought this boot to climb in the French and Italian alps, and it didn't disappoint. It was really comfortable for all-day climbing, and they worked great for mixed-type climbs that didn't require climbing shoe (I generally climb grades that are mostly PD but that range from F to AD). My toes were warm, and I felt solid when I was wearing these boots in the glacier and on rock. They also weren't bad to wear outside of the alpine conditions; it felt easy to walk on the street, for instance.

The only downside of these boots for me are the laces. The laces are a little too short for my liking, but they are still functional. I tried to find a replacement for them, but I found that the original laces fit the best. Other than that, I think this model is a great option for mountaineers who are climbing in the U.S. and alps.