Written by: David Wilson
Photos by: Chris Kimmel | Alpine Edge Photography
Your connection to the dirt, snow, rock, or ice may be one of the more important things to think about when heading out on your next adventure, especially when hiking, scrambling or mountaineering. There is no doubt that there is a lot demanded from our feet when traveling in the mountains; blisters, rolled ankles, fatigue, and lack of confidence in your footwear can take its toll, and be a bit of a "pit" on a trip when we all want more of the "peach"!
The Taiss Light Mid GTX boots were beauties right out of the box! I tested them out on a short trip hiking 9km into a lake, followed by a 6.5km loop starting with a snowy slope ascent to a rocky ridge. Once on the ridge, we traversed while summiting four different peaks along the way before heading back down some more snow, crossing a few creeks, and then back out. This was a great way to break in these boots with a chance to test them out on a variety of terrain. A number of things stood out to me about these boots; a painless break in period, perfect amount of stiffness, foot confidence, and its lightweight design.
A Painless Break In Period
It's pretty common for boots to have a break in period and possibly a little discomfort as the boot forms to its new master's foot, but these boots felt comfortable from the moment I put them on. Even still, I anticipated a little bit of discomfort, sore feet, or maybe even a blister or two but thankfully these unpleasantries were avoided! Of course, I was happy to take them off at the end of our adventure, but I don't think there is any footwear that exists in this world that doesn't feel good to kick off at the end of the day! I thought maybe I was just getting lucky, but my buddy who has wider feet than me was also testing out the same boots and he was also very pleased with how they felt the first time out!
There are several features that contribute to the comfort of these boots including Mammut's Georganic 3D Technology which features a 3D modeled memory foam heel. Also, the two zone lacing allows you to tension the lower and upper parts of the boot differently to maximize comfort and provide the ability to tailor the boots tension to the specific demands of the terrain. For example, I was able to tighten the lower portion of the boot on the descent more than the upper to help prevent my toes bashing the front of the toe box while maintaining some of the movement and flexibility in the upper portion of the boot.
Stiffness
People select a different amount of stiffness in a boot for a variety of purposes, from the very flexible "B0" boots on the flex index to the very stiff "B3's". For me and what I will be using these boots for, the B2 flex is perfect; it has just enough flex that a trail approach to the alpine can be enjoyed but enough stiffness that they can still effectively edge in on small rock ledges and kick steps into steep, and hardened snow slopes.
Foot Confidence
As mentioned above, these boots have a stiffer midsole and uppers compared to a general hiking boot. This was a huge advantage when we were heading up and down the steep, hard snowy slopes as it allowed us to effectively kick steps into the snow. Additionally, the boots' stiffness would act as an extended platform that could support my step even if the toe only managed to grab a small bit of harder snow.
Similarly in steep rocky terrain, the boots were able to toe into and edge on smaller rock features that other, softer, more flexible boots would not be able to hold onto without flexing away. Additionally, we both remarked several times how the tread seemed exceptionally grippy, likely due to its aggressive tread pattern and Vibram sole. All of this instilled confidence in our foot placement, allowing us to focus on our route.
Lightweight Design
Having light weight gear is always a plus, saving effort and energy on your adventure. In footwear, a weight difference of 50g can easily add up to hundreds of kilograms lifted over the period of a hike or scramble! We wore size 10.5 US which weighs a mere 1180g! I enjoyed feeling light and nimble on my feet thanks to these boots weighing a fraction of my old pair! Thankfully, these boots don't seem to sacrifice durability for weight. Mammut chose quality materials like Vibram, and Schoeller soft shell material, Ripstop textile and mesh protection in the areas where it is needed the most.
Other Features
Mammut's Taiss Light Mid GTX boots do not leave you longing for much! These lightweight boots are packed with many features like a Gore-Tex membrane which makes the boot waterproof and breathable, and heel welts for quick, easy, and secure crampon attachment.
Final Thoughts
A painless break in period, perfect amount of stiffness, foot confidence, and a lightweight design make these mountaineering boots a must have. They are light enough for long approaches and have proven to be excellent on rock, snow, and ice as well. As I retired my previous pair of boots, and think of all the places they have been, I am excited to have these boots as my new ground connection and see the places they will take me.
Mammut Taiss Light Mid GTX
At Mammut, they apply the most demanding standards to Mammut's mountaineering shoes. The Taiss Light Mid GTX® Men takes these requirements in its stride: the combination of Contact Control and vibram® Litebase creates an optimum balance between lightness, durability and performance, while Mammut's proprietary Georganic 3D technology ensures a perfect fit. With the Taiss Light Mid GTX® Men, you can enjoy smooth ascents in alpine terrain, leaving you free to concentrate on your activities on rocks, ice and snow.
