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Nucleo high gtx9/15/2023 ![]() We will be happy to keep exploring with these boots leading the way.The Nucleo High II GTX features a traditional Nubuck leather look, which absolutely makes the design of the boots. Feel free to ask us any questions about the boot below, or suggest some hikes on which you think these boots would shine. When you can find one boot that conforms to your feet, and your lifestyle, with ease, it’s a keeper. The boots kept us dry on the muddy trails, stuck to the rock as we scrambled up steep boulder fields, and handled the extra thirty pounds of our packs nicely. We found a little bit of all of that and were able to handle it with the Nucleo with no problem. We were expecting mud, snow, and slippery conditions. We did a fair amount of research on our route before heading out, but in early summer in Colorado, conditions change daily. We packed in 6 miles on the Brown’s Creek Trail and summited Mt. We took these boots on our first backpacking trip of the year outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. The breathability let our feet stay cool while also keeping us steady on the rocks. There was plenty of scrambling on this route and we wanted the trustworthiness of the Gore-Tex sole under our toes. It was one of those blistering hot days in the south, where the humidity soaks through your clothes, but we were confident the Nucleo would be our best choice. It’s a steep, rugged hike that ascends 2,000 feet to the summit of Table Rock Mountain. On the east coast, we tested these boots on a hike in Table Rock State Park, outside of Greenville, South Carolina. We completely forgot we were wearing them, the perfect outcome for a break in period. We were worried about throwing on new boots and jumping on trail, but the toe box fit perfectly, and the lightness allowed for easy movement. One of us has fat feet and needs a wide toe box, the other needs flex in the sole to move more naturally while hiking. Over 20 miles later, no blisters, no hot spots, no problem. We climbed over 1000ft in the soggy Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Brevard, NC. We were surprised how little we noticed them on our first day out. Between the Brake System and the lace system, you’ve got a boot that fits like a glove.Īll boots (especially leather boots) have a break in period. The downward push into the front of your boot after a long descent where you end up with hot blisters on the ends of all your toes just doesn’t happen here. This sole was designed to help cushion and stick to terrain when moving fast down hill. The Nucleo’s Vibram Nano Sole with Impact Brake System is no exception. La Sportiva has a long history of making particularly sticky shoes- it’s their specialty. We also like how well the boot grips on different types of surfaces. After a quick hose off, we ended up with dry feet and Nucleos with a story. After one particular rainy (think torrential downpour) day, both pairs changed color with the stain of two-inch thick mud. ![]() We throw them on, forget to lace them, chuck ‘em out of our mudroom (the step up into the van) and otherwise beat these boots up on a daily basis, and they withstand it all. While we have put them to the test in the field (scree, talus, and boulders), we appreciate their durability in daily van living. The Nucleo is made from rugged Nubuck leather and La Sportiva’s proprietary Nano-Cell mesh that makes the boot feel indestructible while offering the breathability that you would expect from a synthetic option. The breathability and waterproofing of the Nucleo, while extremely important to us, were outshined by their most important feature- durability. At a pound each (5 ounces under the average weight for leather boots) these lightweight champs are still kicking in the final round. These boots, when used with warm socks, offer good protection in the high snowfields of Colorado. We literally walked through the swamp of Congaree National Park and our feet were happier for it. The boots have full waterproof protection, while also BREATHING. It consists of a polyester mesh insole that allows air to pass under the Gore-Tex bootie insert, negating many of the complaints users have when wearing Gore-Tex. Gore-Tex has been used in hiking boots for a long time, but the Nucleo features a material called ‘ Gore-Tex Surround ’. One of our favorite features of these boots is how breathable they are. Each time we’ve been more impressed with the versatility of these leather, medium duty hiking boots. We’ve put these boots to the test in the rolling mountains of the Appalachian Trail, the craggy peaks of Colorado, and the swamps of South Carolina. We’ve been rocking the Nucleo High GTX Boot (La Sportiva’s most breathable boot to date) since April, and we’re smitten. For almost 90 years La Sportiva has been designing high quality footwear to get you to, up, and from the mountains. ![]()
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