Kayland Boots

Anybody used them for ice? I have never seen them. How do they fit?

I have Kayland Apex XT - no longer made, but similar to the Apex Dual Guide GTX they make now. Looks like only a few minor differences, mainly that mine use eVent rather than Goretex. They are very stiff, great lightweight ice climbing boots. Not incredibly warm - the M11+ boots are a little more insulated and the Super Ice GXT is much more insulated. The soles on mine run a little narrow and the sole also has more rocker than most boots which makes crampons a little more difficult to fit, but walking is nice with that much rocker. I have wide high volume feet and don't have any issues with fit, though I think they are made for a lower volume foot. They are durable, good boots, especially for the price. I would put them a step below Scarpa and Sportiva in build quality and performance and more in the same category as Lowa, Salewa, and Mammut.

Wyatt - you nailed it - great description. I also have the Kayland Apex XT which I used in Patagonia in 2008 - great boots - I just had to get mine resoled after so many miles. My low volume duck feet just don't fit La Sportiva well, but Kayland and Scarpa both work for me. Try em on - if they fit, you wont be disappointed - the quality is high.

I had the m11's and thought they climbed well. They only lasted I think one season before the soles came off. I sent them back to Kayland and three months later I got them back repaired. They soon fell apart in another place and Kayland refused to warranty them. I spent extra cash and bought high end Sportivas to replace them. I recommend that you do the same. Rubber was also pretty slippery climbing rocks without crampons.

What Wyatt stated was very accurate. I have a pair of Kayland Hypertraction boots and they are very good on ice and feel very nimple. I have narrow (low volume) feet and the Hypertraction fills pretty well, although I had to put a Dr. Scholl's heel wedge in to reduce heel lift in the initial breakin. They're worked well on trips to Ouray, CO, Mt. Baldy, CA, and on Mt. Rainier, in WA.

Peter Blank wrote:I had the m11's and thought they climbed well. They only lasted I think one season before the soles came off. I sent them back to Kayland and three months later I got them back repaired.