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Review

A last-minute buy in the streets of Kathmandu, the La Sportiva Tempesta were my choice of trail shoe for my Everest Base Camp Trek. But, how did they do on the 80+ mile trek to the foot of Mount Everest?

A durable shoe, but not very breathable

The need for a Gore-tex membrane in a trail shoe is questionable for such a dry trek in the Himalayas. Adding weight to the shoe and not providing much breathability was slightly off-putting. But they’re incredibly durable and coped very well against the terrain.

The lighter the better

For the Everest Base Camp trek, a lighter shoe is going to need less effort to swing from step to step, but the New Balance Minimus I had with me prior to landing in Nepal wouldn’t have been able to withstand the terrain, more would I have had the support I needed. The Tempesta GTX felt like wearing a pair of my Sunday slippers, whilst also being relatively light-weight and having a good grip.

Who are they for?

The La Sportiva Tempesta GTX are for those looking to hike on some pretty rough terrain and trails of varying grades with some wet conditions and scrambling thrown in. They won’t mind the added weight due to the durability, but the low breathability may deter some long-distance hikers.

My verdict

A durable and comfortable trail shoe with outstanding grip and comfort. The price though and lack of breathability may put off some. But in the cold temperatures coupled with a good pair of socks, the La Sportiva Tempesta GTX are a good all-rounder for a multitude of conditions.

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