i need to get insulated mountaineering boots for under $250

The La Sportiva Trango S Evo is a great boot, but not a winter boot.

The used option isn't bad for your needs. You can get a better feel for what you actually want and don't want in a boot before spending the cake on a new pair when you begin the more serious stuff. You may also have a better idea of just how much warmth you need. People seem to vary widely on this.
If you are going the double plastic route, a used shell can be fine and you can spend your $ on an Intuition brand liner. The lighter weight, superior warmth and custom fit of these babies can not be over hyped and I would wager that a used pair of boots with a pair of these liners (again, if choosing double plastic boots) might make you happier than a new pair with stock liners.

Andrew Luke wrote:So I am in the market for new boots while I can get them cheap before the fall/winter rush. Looking for a boot for spring and fall mountaineering and moderate ice, perhaps winter hiking... Anybody use or try the kayland boots? Like the M11+ or Apex XT or Apex XT Winter? They look good from the pictures and have a good price. I have tried the La Sportiva Nepals before and found them to be nice, a bit expensive though. Just wondering how the insulation and stiffness compare. I am quite intrigued by the M11+ and Apex XT Winter. Thanks for the input.

I have the Kayland M11+ and I love them. They fit the nitch in between the wider scarpas and ill fitting (for me) Sportiva. Lightweight, warm and with a better footbed than most other boots. I can't compare to the Nepals, but I'm really happy with them. Best fitting and feeling boot I've ever bought.

Scott,
Do the M11's work well for mountaineering or just strictly waterfall ice?

I hear the Nepals are best for mountaineering but can dabble in moderate waterfall ice.

The Apex XTs are a good boot for mountaineering, alpine ice and (with a stiff crampon) waterfall ice. They're reasonably warm for an uninsulated boot. I've used them through November in Colorado. The M11+ (the M11 is no longer made), is warmer and a bit stiffer (about the same last as the Apex) and also good for ice climbing and mountaineering. The M11+ is not quite as warm as the Sportiva Nepal Evo which I like a lot for ice climbing (the stiffest of the bunch mentioned and very warm). It's a bit heavier (and cheaper) than the LS Batura but also has a higher cuff and is easier to crank down for extended vertical front-pointing. A high percentage of good ice climbers I know either currently use the Nepal or Nepal Evo or did for long periods in the past. The Nepal Evo also excels at winter mountaineering day-trips down to about zero F. Colder than that or for multi-day trips/climbs and you're best with a double boot (Spantiks are my choice here) but the new Kaland 6001 looks interesting (it's a single boot though).

Another happy customer for the Kayland Apex XT's. This is the best all around boot I have ever owned. I use them year-round. My feet fit Kayland boots better than La Sportiva though and I know everyone's feet are different. If they fit well, you won't be disappointed. Alan-

Not a good place to cut costs. They're easily the most important staple of the mountaineering gear list.

Scarpa Inverno's can occasionally be found in the $250 range, and they work pretty well though are pretty old school.

I have some size Scarpa Invernos, size 10 I'd be willing to part with. Excellent condition, hardly any wear at all.

OK, here:

mountaingear.com/pages/prod…

are Scarpa Invernos for $200 - not many sizes left though. They're not my cup of tea and many folks have lost lots of skin to these but when they fit, some folks love them.

More Inverno sizes here:

sierratradingpost.com/shoes…

Sierra Trading Post has a bunch of other single mountaineering boots on sale for $250 or less as well. Decent selection of sizes.

Also Scarpa Omegas for $250 - more sizes available:

mountaingear.com/pages/prod…

A pretty good selection of the old-model M11s for $289 here:

wildernessexchangeunlimited…

Andrew Luke wrote:Scott, Do the M11's work well for mountaineering or just strictly waterfall ice? I hear the Nepals are best for mountaineering but can dabble in moderate waterfall ice.

I've only used them for waterfall, but that included moderate approaches. They might not be as warm as the nepals, but I haven't had any cold issues as long as I kept the laces loose. My boot before was the Scarpa Cerro Torre thermo, and I like these much better. They are very comfortable on my foot and I barely notice them, and liked them better then the Scarpa Freneys.

M11:

I've had them up on Orizaba. Not as warm as Batura, but they did the job. Also, not as nice as Batura for walking in scree (sole a lot stiffer feeling). Overall better for vertical IMHO.

I have a pair of LaSportiva's that I would be willing to sell: only worn once. They are slightly too small for me, sized 43. They are the Trango Extreme models and would let them go for $225.

I have the Nepal boots and just love the $hit out of them, water ice, alpine ice, mtneering, etc... Damn good boot, can be warm in moderate temps though. If anyone is interested I can send photos....

Juan

Check out geartrade.com

Yup, I got my M11+'s from gear trade...

I've got a brand new pair of Invernos size 10.5 US if your interested. I bought them a while back and they just sit in the closet. I thought I'd use them for the White Mountains or splitboarding, but I ended up going another route.

They are up on ebay now starting at $200, but I'll end the auction if anyone is interested.

Take your time to make sure they fit well. Walk around a good bit and go to the store later in the day (but not so late that you're rushed by closing hour). This will help approximate the way your feet will be after a day of tromping around in the snow and ice. Try on a lot of different pairs. Different companies have different lasts and fit the various types of feet differently, so try to find one that fits >your< feet.

It's difficult, but try to forget about the cost or the brand and concentrate only on fit. Cost is a momentary pain that you will soon forget as you luxuriate in your well fitting climbing boots.

I have I guess first generation Koflachs Ultras which have begun to crack badly in the plastic shell area. Has anyone ever tried to repair these or is that impossible? I too have been looking for a replacement pair that won't break the bank.