During the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market earlier this month, I had an opportunity to check out a new tactical version of the popular Trango Cube GTX from La Sportiva. The brand has long been embraced by the military who have issued at the unit level, several models of their civilian mountain boots. What’s interesting was their choice of color scheme for this militarized version of the Trango Cube. While the civilian Trango Cube GTX may be the most advanced boot in the line, the existing colors are hardly friendly to tactical climbing. As you can see, this version incorporates the Highlander transitional camouflage pattern from Kryptek.
The Trango Cube GTX features a new seamless, waterproof upper with protective rand and direct-inject lacing system. Additionally, this Gore-Tex lined boot offers an integrated removable tongue made from a soft stretch fabric to increase comfort. They’ve also reduced the weight from previous versions yet increased abrasion resistance. One of the ways they’ve reduced weight is with the La Sportiva “One” sole made by Vibram which offers a lower profile meaning lower weight.
Specs:
Weight: 26.2 oz / 743 g
Sizes: 37 – 48 (half sizes)
Upper: QB3 Waterproof fabric/ Kryptek Highlander Print Cordura/ FlexTec2 fabric/ Thermo-Tech Injection
TPU lacing system/ PU Eyelets/ Vibram Rubber Rands
Lining: Gore-Tex Performance Comfort
Insole: 4mm graded Nylon
Midsole: PU in toe and heel/ EVA in the central zone and in the heel / TPU insert for rear crampon attachment
Sole: La Sportiva “ONE” by Vibram (exclusive) with Impact Brake System
Construction: Board Lasted
Last: Trango
Tags: Kryptek, La Sportiva
Looks like the AKU boots .
Other way around. That profile is common amongst Italian brands.
Piece of webbing in the most critical point of shoelace tension, really?
I don’t quite understand your angst. That tubular webbing is quite strong.
Tubular webbing is strong. But:
a) as you know, many other shoes featuring reinforced hooks or eyelets on this point, and it’s not just too much precaution – it does experience highest force
b) webbing is strong when you need it to stand tensile forces, but it’s sewn along two lines using really dense zigzag stitch – you probably know, how easily webbing rips into separate strands along stitches of this type. Keeping in mind, that La Sportiva no longer makes all their shoes in Italy only, quality of that stitching may vary.
So, I can assume, that they tested it somehow and found, that withing intended period of time it shouldn’t fall apart.
But why the hell to give up reliable traditional hardware in favor of fabric loop? That’s a tendency in industry, and not the best one.
I worked on a Forest Service trail crew one summer, hiked about 800 miles and did lots of dirt work, saw stuff, etc. Really tough on a pair of boots. I had a pair of La Sportiva’s with said nylon loop. I broke the metal lace tensioner and the soles/rand started delaming but the webbing is still going strong.