When you get close
to the sky, your boots touch rock, stones and ice.
Boots in this category have reinforced full-grain
uppers, excellent traction, virtually no seams,
depending on the destination insulated or waterproof
and breathable liners. High above ankle shafts and
tough materials provide increased leverage for difficult
edging. With full-length shanks or nylon mid-soles
and crampon compatible Vibram soles; mountaineering
boots easily kick steps into hard snow, but are
usually too rigid for comfortable hiking. A breaking-in
period is necessary with these rigid boots. Mountaineering
boots are well suited to winter hikes and glacier
travels.