Bottom Line
The La Sportiva Spire GTX is a hiking shoe that looks like a trail runner, making it an excellent footwear choice for short to medium trips and trekking in wet and mucky conditions. We tested these shoes on muddy Cascades trails in the Pacific Northwest spring and Colorado’s tallest peaks in the fall, and they handled like a dream on all the terrain we tackled.
They do an exquisite job of blending the best features of a traditional hiking boot – like stability, great traction, and a waterproof liner – with our favorite aspects of high-quality trail runners – like breathability, comfort, and secure sizing.
However, at around one pound per shoe, they are heavy and require a longer break-in period, and the high heel-to-toe drop isn’t for everyone. Also, all-synthetic uppers are prone to wear and tear. Still, the Spire GTX earns a spot on our list of the best men’s hiking shoes – and they could easily become your go-to pair.
Quick Specs
Men’s La Sportiva Spire GTX
Best Shoe-Boot Hybrid
CleverHiker Rating: 4.0/5
Price: $209
Weight (Pair): 1 lb. 15 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6 mm
Pros
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Waterproof
- Stable
- Excellent traction
Cons
- Heavy
- Single-lace eyeholes
- Limited durability
- Long break-in
- Not the best for scrambling
- Expensive
Comfort
The Spire GTX is a comfortable hiking shoe if you love the burliness of a boot and breathability of a trail runner. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer loved the Spire for his shoulder season backpacking trips, where they offered just enough cushion, plenty of arch support, and excellent stability on his 60-mile hikes. He’s tested his pair from well-groomed trails in Utah’s desert slot canyons to Colorado’s boulder-strewn, rocky alpine ridgelines. He found their snug fit and average-sized toe box an outstanding match for his narrower feet. The shoe’s compression-molded EVA midsoles and burly construction felt cushioned and supportive enough to reduce fatigue on extended hikes.
However, the Spire GTX has some drawbacks in terms of comfort. The initial break-in period was longer than we wanted. It took several hikes before the material began to soften up around our gear analyst’s feet. Even then, the soles remained fairly rigid – more like a hiking boot – which can be inconvenient for hikers seeking out-of-the-box comfort or an ultra-cushy ride. Once broken in, though, the Spire felt like we’d been wearing it for years.
If you like shoes with a traditional heel-to-toe drop, you may appreciate the Spire’s 11mm drop for its added heel cushioning. However, Ian prefers a lower height, usually between 4 and 6 mm. Still, he found the Spire comfortable for backpacking and on more technical terrain; however, this shoe’s feel may miss the mark for minimalists, ultralight hikers, and folks who prefer a less structured shoe.
Traction
These are seriously grippy shoes. The Spires are outfitted with the same sticky Vibram XS Trek outsoles that La Sportiva uses on many of its hiking and mountaineering boots. While climbing some of Colorado’s highest peaks in these shoes, our testing showed they grip exceptionally well on everything from wet rock to sand and pebbles. We found the self-cleaning outsoles remarkably efficient at shedding mud, rocks, and loose dirt. Hiking through deep sludge on a test hike in Colorado’s famous Weminuche Wilderness, we experienced no issues of clumping or caking.
La Sportiva uses its Impact Braking System on the Spire – a busy lug pattern that offers enhanced braking when coming down inclines. In our field testing, these shoes made easy work of trails, grass, mud, and angled terrain.
Weight
Two pounds for a pair of shoes is heavy compared to the other hiking shoes we’ve tested. The Spire was the second-heaviest hiking shoe we tested behind the KEEN Targhee. Their structured build, including a beefy rubber composite, thick uppers, waterproofing, and protective toe caps and heels offer stellar protection, but they drive up the weight of these shoes.
But don’t write the Spires off based purely on their weight – even after hundreds of miles in this model, they don’t feel cumbersome. We’ve taken them on shorter, technical excursions and week-long backpacking adventures in the Colorado Rockies. Their weight was negligible for such excellent performance. Sure, they weigh more, but this is a small penalty for top-tier traction, durability, and weather resistance.
If featherlight footwear is your top priority, there are lighter hiking shoes out there. The Spire may be a bit heavy and overkill for shorter adventures, and they may feel cumbersome for minimalists and those who prefer lighter, more flexible footwear. However, they’re an excellent middle ground between boots and trail running shoes.
Durability
Every element of the La Sportiva Spire GTX is built for durability. They are among the longest-lasting hiking shoes we tested. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has nearly 700 miles on his, and they continue to perform. The Spire GTX’s synthetic uppers offer durability we usually only see in the highest-quality hiking boots, handling abrasions, scratches, and sharp edges from rocks, brambles, and roots with ease. The Vibram outsoles are just as long lasting.
However, the Spire GTXs – like any footwear – will have a shorter life if you’re using them exclusively in highly demanding terrain. Ian Krammer has used these shoes for summiting peaks over 13,000’ in late spring and early fall. The uppers are strong, but they began to show wear after 400 miles of use on scree, gravel, and rocky ridgelines in the high Rockies. The mesh uppers began to fray and the heel rubber showed cracks. We’ve also found the rubber toe cap and heel are slightly separating from the upper at the 600-700 mile mark.The weakest element of the Spire GTX? The flimsy shoelaces. Testing showed the shoelaces began to fray at 300 miles. At 500 miles, the left shoelace failed completely on a day hike deep in Colorado’s Sawatch range when the internal material was exposed. Ian cut the shoelace short below this tear and re-tied it to finish out the hike, but this would be a significant issue on a longer backpacking trip. We highly recommend buying a backup pair of shoelaces at the time of purchase or swapping them out for a more durable pair immediately to avoid this issue while in the field.
Weather Resistance
These shoes are reliably waterproof. We put the Spires through the wringer in the high Colorado Rockies with multiple hikes through frozen creeks, deep mud, patches of mushy snow, and fields of tall, soaked grass. The verdict? These shoes kept our hooves consistently dry. The GORE-TEX liner blocked moisture incredibly well, and they never allowed water in from puddles, rain, or creek crossings. Measuring over four inches tall, the Spire GTX provided weather protection when we slipped into a puddle or misstepped near a creek.
The Spire GTX also ventilated very well, to the point where it’s competitive with some of our favorite trail runners. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer found the waterproofing breathable enough for summer conditions in the high Rockies – although the temperatures at elevation were considerably more chilly, these shoes made the transition from cooler to warmer with ease.
That said, this is still a waterproof shoe, so we don’t recommend it for temps above 80°F. Ian took these shoes for an 8-mile loop at Caprock Canyon State Park in central Texas, where the temperatures soared to 95°F in the afternoon. Although he appreciated their durability when he hiked through rock and cacti, his feet were overwhelmingly hot and sweaty, which led to hotspots.
Should You Buy The La Sportiva Spire GTX?
The La Sportiva Spire GTX is for hikers who want a balance between the sturdiness of a boot and the agility of a trail runner. It’s perfect for those who take on varied terrains year round, offering stability on slippery streams, rocky trails, icy and mucky routes, and challenging ascents. The comfy midsoles and sturdy outsoles offer stellar support on long hikes, making the Spire reliable no matter where you’re heading next. With abrasion-resistant materials and robust construction, this shoe’s built to last for years of regular use in rugged terrain.
For folks who prefer a more flexible shoe for summer hiking conditions, the Spire GTX may be overkill for your needs. However, the shoe’s balance of stability and agility makes it a top choice for serious hikers.
What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
Salomon X Ultra GTX Review: The Salomon X Ultra GTX offers similar stability, Gore-Tex waterproofing, and versatility across terrain. What sets it apart is a more flexible outsole with equally effective traction, and its Quicklace system makes for fast adjustments for quick transitions and a snug fit.
HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX Review: The HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX shares the Spire’s reliable, waterproof Gore-Tex lining and narrow midsole. However, the rocker shape and very generous cushioning make these feel much more comfortable and cushy on long treks and descents.
KEEN Targhee IV WP Review: The KEEN Targhee IV WP features the same excellent durability as the Spires thanks to a leather upper and proprietary waterproof membrane, similar to the Spire’s rugged build. However, we prefer the Targhee’s wider toe box and huge toe cap for better foot flexion but similar protection against rocks and roots.
