The Men's Rapace GTX from Salewa is one of the lightest and most agile crampon-compatible mountaineering boots available. The light weight, agile upper, and high-tech materials make it the perfect boot for light mountaineering on technical routes. The perfect choice for mountain guides and rescue groups.
Midsole:
- The 3S System Combi is a triple density microporous rubber midsole for ultimate edging performance on rocks and difficult terrain.
Fabric:
- Mid-stiff nylon shank delivers enough stiffness for use with crampons but has some give to it, too, so your toes will thank you at the end of the day
Fit:
- Multi-fit footbed lets you dial in the perfect fit with individualized adjustment
- Unbeatable combination of flexibility, ankle support and precise fit. Improved with a steel wire for additional heel containment.
- Salewa offers a footbed that allows an individual adjustment of the fit
Support and Cushioning:
- 3F power system blends plenty of lateral support with impressive fore-aft flexibility
Weather and Wind:
- Gore-Tex waterproof breathable membrane keeps you dry through wet and brutal alpine conditions and allows foot sweat and moisture to escape from within
Traction and Grip:
- Rugged Vibram Malaz outsole stands up to abuse and provides excellent traction over rough terrain and slippery surfaces
Features:
- TPU heel insert makes these compatible with semiautomatic crampons.
Incredibly light weight and built for the most technical terrain, the Salewa Rapace GTX is the ideal boot for fast and light alpine routes. Weighing only 1.4 pounds, these boots are a crampon compatible dream. The 3F system holds your foot in place for maximum stability without restricting your movement. The GORE-TEX lining will protect you from rain and snow while the full rubber rand and Nubux synthetic leather uppers protect you from everything else.
The lightest and most agile crampon-compatible mountaineering boot available. The light weight, agile upper, and high-tech materials make it the perfect boot for light mountaineering on technical routes. The perfect choice for mountain guides and rescue groups.
While we are happy to extend Salewa's No Blister guarantee to our in-store customers, due to the requirement for a proper fit at the beginning of the wear period, we are unable to extend the Blister Free Guarantee to our online customers. To quote Salewa:
With the right choice of socks, proper fit and lacing, and appropriate use of the footwear, SALEWA guarantees our footwear to be 100% Blister Free.
Our normal return policy applies.
| Awards: | 2011 Award Winners |
|---|---|
| Closure: | Lace |
| Country Of Origin: | Italy |
| Crampon Compatibility: | hybrid, strap-on |
| Footbed: | Multi-fit (adjustable) |
| Footwear Type: | Hiking/Backpacking, Mountaineering Boots |
| Insole: | MID-STIFF: Nylon |
| Insulated: | yes |
| Lacing: | standard |
| Liner: | GORE-TEX® Performance comfort |
| Material: | Synthetic/Leather |
| Material Technology: | GORE-TEX |
| Mid Sole: | MID-STIFF. Nylon |
| Outsole: | Vibram Mulaz |
| Recommended Use: | lightweight mountaineering, backpacking |
| Removable Liner: | no |
| Shell Material: | suede (1.8mm), Cordura |
| Shoe Stability: | Stability |
| Shoe Width: | Regular |
| Sizing Scale: | US |
| Sole: | Vibram® Mulaz |
| Upper: | 1.8mm Suede, Cordura, 360° Rubber Rand Protection |
| Warranty: | 2 year |
| Waterproof: | yes |
| Waterproofing: | Gore-Tex insert |
| Weight: | 1 lb 9 oz / 660 g |
| Width: | Regular |
Similar Products:
 | Salewa MS Rapace GTX Boot | $278.95 |
 | Salewa Rapace GTX Trekking Boot | $278.99 |
Salewa Rapace GTX Reviews:
Positive Reviews:
Great Boot
When I finished the trip, I was happy with the boots - zero foot pain climbing or descending and great and supportive footing. Functionally the boots are exactly what I hoped for. However, break in was an issue for me and that description follows.
When I first put these on, I could tell that the cut of the boot was right for my foot. Out of the box, I could stand on 45 degree rocks in my yard without sliding on the rock or sliding to the front of the boot. Also, My foot measures a 12 from heal to ball of big toe joint, but only 11 from heal to toe. The cut of this size 11 boot seems to match that profile better than the other boots I have tried. I don't know whether it's the boot shape or hold back design or both that made the boot fit. But for me, they made descending comfortable.
Background - I'm 63 years old, 6' 1" and 185 pounds and get to the mountains a few times a year, doing a summit every 4 or 5 years. A few of those have had short technical climbs following a scrambling approach. I have been using 5-Tennies for hiking and approach for the last 20 years, but was looking for something more supportive as I'm getting more risk adverse as I get older. And it looked like I'd be in snow and ice on part of the Whitney trip.
Break In - it took several training hikes to break the boots in. Don't expect to put them on and immediately test the blister-free guarantee. When I put these on, I could tell that the footshape and size were just right. I was thinking about the blister free guarantee and wondering if I could get by with no break in. Perhaps my feet just aren't used to a boot since I haven't used boots for years, but here's my break in story.
I started by wearing them around the house so I could return them if they didn't work. I had to keep the boots loose around the ankle to keep them from digging in. Then I started wearing them to work. Engineer, working in office mostly. Frustrated at the pain around my ankles as I started to lace them tighter, I laced them up tight and decided to let them be painful for a day or two to see if something would change. After a couple of days, things got better. When you get the boot, the sole is virtually flat. You have to pull it into a rocker shape during break in. That's what was killing the front of my ankles. Once the sole started to conform to foot rocker, that looked manageable and after a week of wearing them to work, I took them on a 4 mile round trip, 600 ft elevation gain hike with a 15 pound pack. Some ankle pain, but nothing bad and feet and toes were happy.
Next trip was 4 mile round trip trail and scramble with 2000 ft elevation gain. That put a big blister on the back of one heal and a small one on the back of the other during the climb. I was thinking about sending the boots back, but since they worked for descending, I added a thin sock to the medium smart wool hikers I was using to see if that would eliminate the friction on the heal. I gave my feet a week or so to heal up and went on a 6 mile 800 foot elevation gain hike with 30 pound pack and had no problems. I started wearing the boots all the time, had an opportunity to do some light hiking during the 3 more weeks before Whitney. The back of my heals were still sensitive, but healed.
I bought a pair of Icebreaker hiking socks to try since they seemed smoother than the smartwool and might reduce friction. I wore them with the thin slick socks as well, for the first day on Whitney to set base camp. My feet survived the 4 mile 2000 ft climb with no issues and it felt like the boots were getting better. They really seemed to break in for climbing that day. By the way, the thin slick socks were my Peal Izumi biking sox.
The following day climbing and descending 4500 ft up and down, I had no foot problems. I pretty much forgot about the boots and enjoyed the mountain.
When I got up the next morning, I took a look at the boots to see if I could see any visible change to them. What I saw is that I had created some rocker at the back of the heal, which had been perfectly flat. Once that part of the break in was done, there was no further issue with heal problems while ascending.
I suspect I could take them out now with a single pair of socks and be just fine, but haven't had a chance to bet back on a trail since Whitney.
The other issue to mention is the gusset. I did my warm up climbs from 2600 to 6000 feet around Boise, Idaho. That country is full of cheat grass, needle and thread grass and foxtails. The lower area of the gusset is a small "pocket" fills with dirt and weed seeds when scrambling so you may have to completely unlace the boots to clean out that area occasionally. This is a minor irritant.
I have not been in a situation to test the boots with crampons or for being water proof.
They are confidence inspiring and very comfortable once broken in.
I spent a good 5 months searching for and trying on different winter boots. I found that for peak ascents and more serious hiking and backpacking in the northeast, that a double plastic was way overkill, yet a boot with support and proper stiffness is important. Most insulated boots cause feet to sweat way too much. The danger is then that the boots may freeze overnight, or just be uncomfortable during the day. Nothing worse than sweating through your boots, even if they are "breathable." After much research and ordering and returning of different boots, this was the absolute best choice. These boots are really well made, and are definitely waterproof (had them covered in snow for hours, the outer layer eventually got wet, but no moisture made it through to my feet.) They are also the most breathable winter boots I've ever used. They are rather sturdy, allow just enough flex for comfortable winter hiking, and take crampons and snowshoes quite well. They are also a good deal lighter than many similar boots I tried, and you notice it on the trail. Nothing like really feeling your footing rather than feeling like you are walking on a plastic platform. I went up a whole size, and use them with mountaineering socks and wool liners. My feet were almost too warm when the temps approached 30. In the 20's my feet were warm the whole time. These boots have enough room in the toe box for me, and are cut on the same footbed as the salewa mtn trainer gtx, so you can go to your local ems and try them on to see how they fit before ordering these. The last point is that these boots have an amazing little feature - a two layer footbed which can have one layer removed. This is awesome both because it allows for more volume if you are in-between sizes, but also allows for adjusting your level of sockage based on the weather. Want one thick pair? Leave in both parts of the footbed. Want layered socks? Take one piece out. Definitely recommended for winter use on the trail. Also recommend for general mountaineering on lower peaks and where a double boot is overkill. There is a great little approach section on the shoe, and without the crampons these make great scrambling shoes, and will do really well on exposed rock. I'd say they are too heavy for summer use, but if you really wanted to make it happen I think it would be fine.
first impression of this boot is how light it is. feels like a day hiker, yet burly enough for crampons.
so far have only taken it on shorter hikes (less than 5 miles) in new england snow. i have been in these boots with little break in, pretty much laced them up and out the door for some shorter hikes. heel cup felt a little weird at first, a little tight, but got use to it quick and best of all no blisters.
they are definitely stiff enough for crampon work, but wouldn't necessary try any vertical ice with them. however they are light enough that i will use them a daily hiker in the summer when my pack loads are up and trail runners wont cut it.
size was right on, and they have a multi layered footbed, which allows for expedition style socks as well as thinner socks for summer use.
I've beat the living snot out of these boots. Hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, SAR. They are great! Check out my in-depth review at Seattle Backpackers Magazine
Love my new Salewa boots!
Great fit, comfort, and style....
Only problem is I want other Model Salewa's now!
Negative Reviews:
I could not keep these boots. The toe box was not comfortable. My toes could not move much. I like to have some movement, a little curl and the chance to lift them. I was bummed because I have the Salewa Mountain Trainer shoe and I was able to make the toe box function by tinkering with the lace system.
Awesome looking boots. I wish they fit me! Not recommended for me. Bummer.
