The state of balance is the equilibrium, but the La Sportiva series of Aequilibrium boots throws any balance right out of the window. They’ve ripped up the rule book, and gloriously so. Rather than yet another review of some shiny boots straight out of the box, here’s our review after a full winter season, with battered crampons, long days and nights in the mountains – boots we’ve lived in, scratched up mixed routes in, waded through deep snow, scrambled, and given a hard life too. Apologies to any La Sportiva employee reading this – the photos aren’t definitely glossy or showing the boots shiny and clean, but you’ll have to go a fair way to find a more real review where the boots have been worn to hell and back. We’ve definitely tested them, and some. Are they B1’s or B2’s or B3’s? We’re still not quite sure, as they are a hybrid cross mix featuring elements across all types, but lightweight technical B2’s is probably the fairest classification.

We’ve been testing two types of this boot, and out main gripe is the naming! The LT is the leather upper model, and the ST is the fabric upper boot. Don’t confuse LT for light, as the leather model is very slightly heavier than the ST fabric model. The LT = 640g per boot (size 42), and the ST = 630g per boot (size 44). Don’t get us wrong, that’s seriously light for a boot that can take a C2 crampon such as the Grivel G12. So for the the ease of this review, we’ll revert to our names for these boots, that’s a lot easier to follow; the Aequilibrium Leather and the Aequilibrium Fabric. Whilst the weight difference between the boots is negligible, their support and performance in different conditions is quantum. Both are exceptional boots, but we’ve definitely opted for one over the other on several occasions, selecting different boots for different days and weathers.

Only the eagle eyed will have noticed, but when these two boots were launched, La Sportiva slipped them into the hiking / approach boots section of their website. Over the past couple of years they’ve slowly but surely earned their position as one of, if not the, most popular Alpine mountaineering boot on the market, and the manufacturer has moved them finally into the mountaineering boots section of their website, and rightly so. Sure you wouldn’t want to wear a pair of either of these if front pointing up a multi-pitch WI5, but on the Matterhorn we’d want to be on nothing other than these. So what’s the big difference from Leather (LT) to Fabric (ST) versions of this boot? In wet snow or rainy conditions, the Leather will keep your feet much drier, and they feel slightly stiffer (in a good way) for wearing crampons, due to the extra support of the leather cuff around the ankle. When it’s drier or a rockier route, our go to is the Fabric (ST) boots, as these feel more supple and agile.

Both types of boot feature the great sole unit, with the double heel lugs that give amazing grip and performance on steep loose descents, and help reduce fatigue on long hill days. The sole units are the highest performing, and possibly most innovative, part of the boot. Based on this alone, they far out perform the competition, and the choice of Leather (LT) to Fabric (ST) will depend on your most likely use of the boots. For UK scrambling or Alpine rocky routes, our choice would definitely be the Fabric (ST) model, and for snowy routes where more crampon usage is anticipated the Leather (LT) model would be the go to choice. In addition the leather seems to be slightly better insulated, and offers greater protection from errant crampon spikes than the fabric option, however the fabric is very abrasion resistant and highly durable so definitely is a very crampon compatible boot too. In terms of Alpine routes, either boot would be suitable for the Eiger, the Fabric (ST) for the Matterhorn, or Leather (LT) for Mont Blanc or Gran Paradiso. That’s being picky, but most people don’t have the luxury of multiple pairs of mountain boots, and need to select one that is the best all rounder for the most likely types of use that they’ll give it.

So it’s decision time – which is best? Both have proved equally durable after a full winter season of very mixed types of mountain days and conditions. Both have battle scars, and look well worn. Still we find it tough to choose. The Fabric (ST) is our first choice for dry conditions and fast and light, and the Leather (LT) for wetter / snowier days carrying bigger loads and when more ankle support is required. That still doesn’t sound like a decision, so if pushed to choose one, it would be the ….. Arghhh, it’s impossible to decide. If only La Sportiva had made the choice easier! Right, decision time. For work it’s the Leather (LT), and for playtime it’s the Fabric (ST). We all know that play is more fun than work, so does the Fabric (ST) edge it, for a final outcome? No it doesn’t quite, as on the tougher days, the Leather (LT) wins outright. Sorry, we’ve failed. No decision. Win the lottery and buy both!