Bottom Line
The La Sportiva Spire GTX are an all-around excellent pick for durability, support, and weather-resistance. Although they are on the heavier side, their robust materials make up for the weight – since these shoes are likely to have a long lifespan. With their GORE-TEX membrane, they repel water seamlessly and excel at maintaining their breathability unlike many other waterproof shoes in our lineup.
Overall, the La Sportiva’s comfort depends on the shape of your foot and your preference in support features. These shoes run about a half size small and are slightly narrower. They also are quite stiff and lack a responsive and cushy sole, require a longer break-in period, and have a higher heel-to-toe drop with limited ground feel. When our gear analyst took them on their first hike up Mount Saint Helena in the Mayacamas Mountains, she found that her feet started to get sore after about five miles.
For more top-performing footwear picks, check out the rest of our recommendations in our gear guide of the best women’s hiking shoes.
How We Tested
We tested these shoes while hiking in the Mayacamas Mountains in Northern California. Field testing included paying attention to comfort, support, traction and durability while climbing steep uphill and downhills and trekking over rocky terrain. This pair was subjected to a water submersion test and we also weighed them to compare it to both the advertised weight and also the weights of other shoes in our lineup.
Quick Specs
Women’s La Sportiva Spire GTX
Most Durable & Supportive Hiking Shoes
CleverHiker Rating:
77.5/100
Price:
$209
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. 10.2 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop:
6 mm
Pros
- Superior traction
- Above-average support
- Exceptional durability
- Decently breathable for waterproof shoes
- Cleaner look than other burly hiking shoes
Cons
- Expensive
- On the heavier side
- Some break-in required
- A bit stiff
Comfort
The La Sportiva Spires offer a comfortable fit for those with narrow feet and ankles. Our gear analyst found them to be a bit loose and had to rethread the laces through one of the top eyelets to give it a snugger fit.
The footbed of these shoes feels very firm and stiff. This wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable, but it did require a more dedicated break-in period during testing. The La Sportivas have a more moderate heel-to-drop at 6 mm, which is a great option for those preferring footwear with more support than a zero drop but less than those higher 12-14 mm drops.
Traction
Boasting Vibram outsoles for superior grip and durability, as well as an Impact Brake System with multi-directional lugs for better slip-resistance and stability, the La Sportiva Spires are an excellent choice when traction is of utmost importance. When hiking on rocky terrain, steep uphills and scree-like downhills, we felt confident in their performance.
However, when wet or slippery conditions came into play while scrambling over boulders and rocks, the tread slipped more easily than we would have expected.
Overall, we appreciated the traction. When combined with their streamlined and snug fit, these shoes are an excellent option to feel confident on the trail.
Weight
While the La Sportiva Spires are not quite as heavy as some other options in our lineup, they still come in at around 1 pound 10 ounces.
The La Sportivas feel heavier on your feet than most so they won’t appeal to ultralight backpacker. That being said, their durability makes up for the extra weight.
Durability
Featuring abrasion-resistant upper mesh, a hearty toe bumper, Vibram rubber, GORE-TEX and an Ortholite insole, the La Sportiva Spire hiking shoes consist of some of the highest quality materials on the market. During testing in the field, we encountered loose rock, boulders, and pokey bushes. Yet, there were no signs of wear after putting mile after mile on these shoes. Even the laces proved to be exceptionally durable and snug over a dozen miles a day.
As mentioned above, with these added durability features comes an increase in weight. While this may be a drawback for some hikers, it is important to consider choosing shoes that will withstand the demands of the terrain and environment that you plan to use them in.
Weather Resistance
The weatherproofing tech in these shoes repells water still offering profound breathability. This was true when testing the La Sportiva Spire on long treks in the Mayacamas – our feet stayed comfortable and dry. This was a stark contrast compared to our experience in other waterproof shoes.
Unlike leather and other materials, the uppers of the La Sportivas repel water effortlessly – any moisture immediately rolls and beads off of the shoes on impact.
Should You Buy the KEEN Targhee IV WP?
The La Sportiva Spire GTX hiking shoes are an excellent option for those with narrow feet, who prioritize durability over a soft ride and who are in need of the highest level of waterproofing with unprecedented breathability. Although these shoes come at a high price point, they are worthy of consideration if you are in the market for a long-lasting, dependable and resilient shoe.
What Other Women’s Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
If you appreciate the La Sportiva Spire GTX’s durability and slimmer fit, but aren’t quite sure that this is the right shoe for you, then we suggest that you refer to our women’s hiking shoes gear guide for our other top recommendations.
Salomon X Ultra 4 Low Review: These Salomons are an excellent option that compete with La Sportiva’s breathability and durability. However, they are lighter in weight, water resistant (instead of waterproof), more flexible with significantly less break-in time required and come at a lower price point. While the quick-lace system may feel a little clunky for some, this shoe is still one of our gear analyst’s favorite contenders in our lineup.
Women’s Merrell MQM 3: This Merrell model comes with a slimmer heel and opens to a wider toe-box for those who feel that the La Sportivas are a bit constricting. Compared to the La Sportiva Spires, these Merrell shoes are lighter in weight, lack waterproofing, require less break-in time and come at a relatively more budget-friendly price. However, the Spires will ultimately provide the most reliable traction and weather resistance.
Oboz Sawtooth X WP Review: These are a great option to consider for a lower volume profile. While the Spires are undoubtedly better in regards to waterproofing and breathability, the Oboz also provide competitive traction for a variety of terrains.
