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Trango Ice Cube GTX

Original Post
Andrew Blease · · Bartlett, NH · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 470

Has anyone put hands on or worn the new Trango Ice Cubes? I'm looking for a boot that would be a less bulky daily driver than the Baruntse. What I don't know is how warm (or not) the Ice Cubes are. Do yall have any input?

I have the same questions about the Scarpa Rebel Pro as well.

Nick Drake · · Kent, WA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 651

I have not handled the trango ice cube, but if the name is any indication you're gunna get frostbite! :)

Ok honestly though I have owned the nepal cube and currently have the Scarpa Rebel Pro. All three boots are using the same "gore insulated comfort" insulation. The trango ice cube is built on the nepal last (according to sportiva's site) so it should have better toe warmth than the silver bullets did. I felt that the leather nepal evos were warmer than the rebel pro is. I would expect the nepal cube and rebel pro to be similar in warmth both using thin synthetic outer fabrics.

The trango ice is using a honeycomb carbon insole, as the nepal cube does. I never got to compare the nepal cube and rebel pro heads up, but I do feel that there was less heat loss through the sole of the nepal cube.

I assume that with the same insole construction the flex between the nepal cube and trango ice cube will be similar. There was a drastic difference between the nepal and rebel pro was for me. The nepals were VERY rigid and minimally rockered, fine on snow and great front pointing, but if there was a dry approach I hated life. The rebel pros seem to have just the right amount of flex to not pump your calves climbing, while still hiking pretty well. It's strange to describe, but it felt like the rebels allow your foot to roll slightly toward the little toes while being more rigid lengthwise from your big toe.

I'm not sure how much came from the sole construction and how much is the upper, but the rebels feel like a surgical instrument where the nepal cubes felt like a sledge hammer. It will be interesting to see how the trango ice cube compares.

Marty Theriault · · Quebec, QC · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 310

Not to change the subject, but anyone know how the trango and cube line compares to Baturas 2.0 in sizes? looking to get a pair of Ice Cube in my quiver for warmer temps and hard mix when I need to cut weight to the max.

Jason4Too · · Bellingham, Washington · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0
Nick Drake wrote:I felt that the leather nepal evos were warmer than the rebel pro is. I would expect the nepal cube and rebel pro to be similar in warmth both using thin synthetic outer fabrics. The trango ice is using a honeycomb carbon insole, as the nepal cube does. I never got to compare the nepal cube and rebel pro heads up, but I do feel that there was less heat loss through the sole of the nepal cube.
Hey Nick, did you mean to say that the Ice Cube should be about the same warmth as the Rebel Pro? The Nepal Cube is leather, not synthetic.
Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

I felt the Nepal Cubes were warmer than regular Evos, silver bullets and the Rebels. The Nepal Cubes don't fit me so I've only demoed them. The Trango Cubes really didn't fit well.

I own a pair of Scarpa Rebels and they are the shim sham diggty jam on any winter route. The Rebels hike better than any mountaineering boot I've ever worn. The feeling is precise and confident. The only minus is the Rebels are not warm. No top rope gangbangs and no brittle ice days unless you and your partner are moving fast.

Bit of advice.. Try on as many pairs of boots as you can. Don't let anyone but a boot fitter tell you what boots are right for you.

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480
Jason4Too wrote: Hey Nick, did you mean to say that the Ice Cube should be about the same warmth as the Rebel Pro? The Nepal Cube is leather, not synthetic.
The Nepal Cubes are much warmer than the Rebels.
Nick Drake · · Kent, WA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 651
Jason4Too wrote: Hey Nick, did you mean to say that the Ice Cube should be about the same warmth as the Rebel Pro? The Nepal Cube is leather, not synthetic.
Yes that's what I meant to say, all this cube/trango/ice jargon gets confusing before the second cup of coffee :)
Glen Griscom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 0

The Nepal Cube is a fantastic ice boot. It climbs great and is very warm for the weight.

T340 · · Idaho · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 5

Both the new Nepal and Trango look very tempting, though my prior generation Nepals&Trangos wear like iron and are in great condition after several years of frequent use. Love those boots!

Mike Hasse · · New York, NY · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 365

I just spent 3 days climbing in the new Ice Cubes, including a big ice day at Lake Willoughby and a day standing around teaching beginners. My impression is they are Nepals that are slightly colder and a lot lighter. My pair (42.5) weighed 1340 grams on my scale. I think they're going to replace everything but the Spantiks in my boot quiver.

Mike Hasse · · New York, NY · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 365
Dylan B. wrote:I'm sure they're a great product, but the marketing leaves something to be desired.
I'm actually the opposite. I don't get the new Cube name to begin with, but once they rolled out the Trango Cubes I was gonna be really disappointed if they didn't make the perfect pun for their ice-specific boot
Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492
Dylan B. wrote:I'm sure they're a great product, but the marketing leaves something to be desired. Just the thought of slipping my feet into a pair of "ice cubes" sounds horrible--both cold and clunky, just the opposite of what I want.
You sound like the guy(s) who wouldn't buy from Acme Climbing.com "because Wiley Coyote (on the Roadrunner cartoon) used Acme products".

Reality check - it's a f'n CARTOON.
Thatcher · · Seattle, WA · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 5

Reality check. It's Internet banter. I dont think anyone's going to not buy them just because they're called ice cubes. I'm pretty sure he was just pointing out that it's an ironic name for a boot that's supposed to be light, nimble and keep you warm.

Marty Theriault · · Quebec, QC · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 310
Thatcher wrote:Reality check. It's Internet banter. I dont think anyone's going to not buy them just because they're called ice cubes. I'm pretty sure he was just pointing out that it's an ironic name for a boot that's supposed to be light, nimble and keep you warm.
+1
Marty Theriault · · Quebec, QC · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 310

Finally got mine, and they blew me away!!! Seriously these boots are LIGHT! Feels like im wearing a stiff 5.10 guide tennie!!! The lacing systeme is really good, they are ok warm ( will still use my Batura's pretty often ) a very slim design. Amazing addition to my quiver! Now to test them on mixed where i am very confident they are gonna rock!

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
Mike Hasse wrote: I'm actually the opposite. I don't get the new Cube name to begin with, but once they rolled out the Trango Cubes I was gonna be really disappointed if they didn't make the perfect pun for their ice-specific boot
LS considers their current line of boots as the 3rd generation...or cube.
DevinLane · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 265

Took mine out for a spin yesterday - They're super light, comfortable, and very warm when moving. However - they broke before leaving the car... The ankle lace lock snapped off while lacing them up.

Ice Cube Defect

Super disappointing and frustrating. Not exactly field replaceable, and a weak link in an otherwise awesome boot. Why couldn't they use metal lace locks?

Mike Hasse · · New York, NY · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 365

Damn Devin, that sucks. My lace locks have a bit of metal on the inside that helps lock the laces down. Maybe your pair didn't have any? I'm surprised it could have snapped off like that if the metal was present.

DevinLane · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 265

Mike,

Yeah there is metal that helps grip the lace, however, it doesn't penetrate the boot structure. As you can see in the picture it's purely a plastic connection.

Just popped by Sportiva this morning and they're going to get a quick warranty turn around. Kudos to Caley for being awesome and superbly helpful. But it does still worry me going forward. Be curious to hear if it happens to anyone else.

Marty Theriault · · Quebec, QC · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 310

These are not your everyday cragging boots, if that is what your are seeking, grab a pair of nepals ... These boots are very specialized boots for hard ice or sending hard mixed project, the price to pay for super light boots is defenetly durability.

DevinLane · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 265

Valid point - But I was just lacing the boot. I didn't brush them against talus or kick them with crampons. Literally in the front seat of my car.

Not to be argumentative, however, they're marketed for moving fast in the mtns. Not as a replacement for fruit boots. I think they should be able to take some abuse and plastic components is a valid concern. The existing Trango cube is the same foundation / hardware and they're not intended for day hikes in metro parks. :)

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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