The Scarpa Ribelle HD winter boot is intended for ‘fast and light’ use in the mountains.
The Vibram sole has an aggressive tread which performs well on wide variety of terrain. A full rubber rand extends quite high into the upper boot, doing a great job at keeping abrasion to a minimum on the most vulnerable areas. The toe curves upwards a little more substantially than some other B2 rated boots, and this gives the boots a nice toe ‘spring’ as you walk. A narrow last shape helps your footwork feel precise. The overall feeling is one of agility. I paired these boots with C2 crampons and I was very happy with their performance on a Grade II winter climb.
James Roddie Recommends
They are lightweight, breathable and comfortable enough for multi-day hikes, yet sufficiently rigid and technical to be highly competent winter mountaineering boots.- Versatile
- Lightweight
- Tongue design
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| RRP: £330 Weight: 1620g (UK size 9.5 pair) B Rating: B2 Waterproofing: HDry Upper: 2.5mm suede Crampon welts: Heel welt Sole: Vibram Sizes: UK 6.5-13 / EU 40-48 (with half sizes) Women’s version: Yes URL: scarpa.co.uk |
I found the fit very comfortable, with almost no heel-lift and just enough wiggle room for my toes. The upper is relatively flexible, and the ankle cuff is very flexible indeed. My only complaint with comfort regards the tongue. I found this felt a little harsh on the front of my ankle, and the top of the tongue had a habit of slipping sideways whilst you walk. The temptation is to over-tighten the laces to stop this from happening, which of course makes things less comfortable.
For their weight, these boots kept my feet impressively warm even in full winter conditions – so long as I kept moving. The HDry membrane does a good job of keeping out water, and helps these boots to be very breathable. However they were not the most waterproof boots out of those I tested. They would not be my first choice for long days in wet weather, but they dried out more quickly than some boots with a Gore-Tex lining.
Throughout my testing these boots excelled in a variety of scenarios and conditions, and I was impressed with their overall versatility. They are lightweight, breathable and comfortable enough for multi-day hikes, yet sufficiently rigid and technical to be highly competent winter mountaineering boots.
