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The intent is to allow sweat to escape below the foot, working in conjunction with the vented Nano-Cell upper to dump heat. La Sportiva opted for Gore-Tex Surround waterproofing with the Nucleo High GTX, which is designed to boost breathability without sacrificing wet-weather protection. It’s not quite as capable as an approach shoe, but it’s tougher and provides better coverage than most hiking boots. Added up, the Nucleo is a great match for off-trail use and light scrambling. Finally, the upper portion of the boot around the ankle uses thick padding and foam, and there are even dedicated panels of thicker foam at each side. Further, the Nano-Cell technology-designed to increase breathability-means you get added rubber along the sides of the foot for extra buffering (the sides of the foot can be a weak point on leather boots). First, you get a serious rubber toe cap along with a stiff, reinforced heel. Despite the low weight, these boots are impressively hardwearing. Protection is another strong suit of the La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX. All in all, because of its low weight, the Nucleo doesn’t feel cumbersome or unwieldy underfoot, yet it’s noticeably more supportive than most hiking shoes we’ve tested and a standout in the lightweight boot category. It’s also quite easy to tighten the laces securely around the foot and ankle, and we experienced no ankle rolls or signs of weakness or instability while scrambling over rock. First and foremost, the boot has a notably high cut, so you get more ankle coverage than with standard mid-height models. The La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX offers impressive stability and support, particularly for such a lightweight design. We consider it overkill for strictly on-trail use given the high cut, but it’s a nice match for those who like to put their footwear to the test on tricky and technical ground (and for hikers who simply prefer the additional ankle support, of course). All told, for those who like to get off trail, the Nucleo is a very capable summer hiking and backpacking option. You get a Vibram outsole with a fairly aggressive lug pattern, which we found to be grippy over a variety of terrain including established trails, scrambles, and even wet and muddy conditions. Given La Sportiva’s climbing roots, it comes as little surprise that the Nucleo High GTX scores high marks in the traction department. In the end, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a lighter boot that offers similar levels of support and protection. The next step down in weight consists of trail running-inspired designs from brands like Hoka One One and Altra, but those shoes compromise big time in terms of stability and durability in order to shave weight. Most comparable boots are heavier: the Asolo Falcon GV is 2 pounds 2.6 ounces and less supportive, and the Oboz Sawtooth II Mid clocks in at 2 pounds 6 ounces. The ultra-popular Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX weighs less at 1 pound 15.7 ounces, but that has more of a hiking shoe build along with a lower cut.

Over a variety of terrain in Patagonia, it felt lighter and less obtrusive than most other hiking boots we’ve tested while still providing ample cushioning.Īt 2 pounds 1.6 ounces per pair, the Nucleo High GTX is one of the lighter boots on the market, and especially when stacked up against other high-cut models. In use, the Nucleo required very little breaking in and immediately was comfortable on the trail. The materials are premium throughout, the leather upper is soft but still able to snug down tight via the lacing system with grommets running high up the boot, and the padded mesh that wraps around the ankle is both nicely cushioned and close-fitting. Notable changes include a wider last, new OrthoLite insole, and slight tweaks to the Vibram outsole.ĭespite running narrow, which is a common theme among La Sportiva footwear, the Nucleo High GTX is a very comfortable and modern-feeling boot. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best hiking boots.Įditor’s note: We tested the first-generation Nucleo High, and La Sportiva recently released the Nucleo High II. Below we break down our experiences with the Nucleo High GTX. It’s undeniably pricey at nearly $200, but after testing it in Patagonia, we came away with few performance-related complaints.

Among their growing line, the Nucleo High GTX is a standout and one of the more capable and well-rounded lightweight boots we’ve tested. La Sportiva is a climbing company first, but that expertise has transferred over nicely to the hiking footwear market.