recommended foot equipment

FOOTS

Double boots

For high altitude camps, choose one of the following:

  • All-in-one | Best choice, great comfort
  • Double heigh boots | Most commonly used
  • Double plastic boots | Low-cost, heavier and rigid

All-in-one or triple boots

We recommend the following triple boots:

  • Scarpa Phantom 8000
  • La Sportiva Olympus Mons Evo
  • The North Face Verto S8K

They are the warmest types available. They have insulated and integrated gaiters and offer more warmth and waterproofness than high altitude double boots.

Double height boots

We recommend the following double-height boots:

  • La Sportiva Spantik
  • La Sportiva G2
  • La Sportiva Baruntse 20 GTX
  • Asolo Manaslu GV

They can be worn with a soft synthetic or hard plastic exterior designed for use with a height-designed liner. These boots are warmer than single mountaineering boots. They are manufactured with a removable insulating lining in a durable and waterproof outer boot. They are made with fully rigid soles to climb flat to vertical terrain with or without crampons.

It is recommended not to walk with the double boot’s interior since this provides shelter, and the rocky terrain of Aconcagua it usually breaks.

Estimated rental price: USD 250.

 
Double plastic boots

Low-cost option, low-performance, the most frequently used are:

  • Asolo AFS 8000
  • Scarpa Omega
  • Scarpa Vega
  • Koflach Artic

This plastic double boot option has a flexible plastic upper and a soft, flexible inner boot designed to fit inside the plastic shell.

They are heavier and colder than the previous ones; however, they are good enough for Aconcagua. If you opt for these boots, it is recommended to bring foot warmers or combine them with gaiters

Estimated rental price USD 135


Boots not suitable

Simple boots are not suitable to climb Aconcagua, some of them are:

  • La Sportiva G5
  • La Sportiva Batura
  • La Sportiva Nepal Extreme
  • La Sportiva Nepal Cube
  • La Sportiva Trango Ice
  • Scarpa Phantom Guide
  • Scarpa Phantom 6000 (double but not suitable for 7000m)
  • Scarpa Grand Dru
  • Scarpa GTX
  • Boreal G1 Lite
  • Boreal Stetind
  • Mammut Eiger Extreme
  • TNF Verto S6K

Simple boots are rigid and haven’t a removable sock. Climbers cannot use them in Aconcagua because they don’t provide adequate protection against low temperatures. They are designed for mountaineering or climbing below Aconcagua, generally ideal for use with crampons. The use of these boots in Aconcagua implies the risk of frostbite.

Trekking boots

Are recommend shoes with a lot of space in the toe area and good support when approaching the base camp. Are ideal as it is a dry trail with a lot of sand and dirt. 

Trekking shoes or boots must offer excellent traction with a flexible sole that provides comfort and cushioned support underfoot. They are used to approach the mountain and to take shorter walks at low altitudes. Breathable and waterproof models are preferred.

Estimated rental price: USD 60

Rest footwear

Other footwear that can be worn as a complement, although they do not replace light trekking boots, and is useful to wear when there is a lot of snow at base camp. We suggest wearing only one of these optional shoes to avoid weight.

Warm and waterproof boots


These boots must be very comfortable and need not be technical; you will not walk or climb with these boots.

Weight and volume are not a concern for this type of shoe; the important thing is warmth and comfort.

 


Booties

It is recommended to be used for greater comfort around the base camp, in the high camps, and inside the tent. 

Synthetic models stay warm even when wet but are heavier and less compact than down boots.

 


Trekking shoes (optional)

Can wear sneakers or tennis shoes to walk comfortably during the rest days at base camp. 

They are also useful as a spare if your Trekking boots are wet and need drying.

Sandals (optional)

They can be water shoes, crocs, or similar footwear that fit the heel to cross rivers. Not flip-flops.

Not usually used by Normal Route (depending on the level of the rivers). The Polish Route requires them.

Crampons

Crampons attach to boots for traction on slippery surfaces of snow, ice, and stones. Semi-automatic is preferably used, but it can also be automatic or tape.

We recommend 12-point steel crampons with anti-balling plates over 10-point aluminum or rigid crampons because the traction offered is superior. They stand up to the potential time spent walking on rocks, and they fit modern boots well. Testing the fixation of boots + crampons as a set is essential, as different double-layer boots may require different crampons.

Estimated rental price: USD 55

 
Recommended
  • Black Diamond
  • Petzl
  • Grivel G14
 
Not Recommended
  • Foot Fangs
  • Simond Scorpions
  • Grivel model Rambo 

Avoid crampons with rounded or deformed points.

Gaiters

Most double boots require the use of gaiters. Gaiters are a fabric tube that you wrap over boots and are used to prevent snow and other debris from entering your footwear, and allow to preserve the temperature in calves and ankles.

They should be tall, durable, waterproof, and fit snugly to eliminate gaps between the gaiter and the boot without squeezing the ankle and calf, and size suitable for double-layer boots (bigger than for regular boots).

Estimated rental price: USD 29

Socks

We recommend 6-8 pairs of socks. The more you have, the more comfortable you will have in clean, dry clothing, but this will also add more weight to your personal gear.

Midweight socks

Midweight socks are designed to offer comfort and warmth at moderate altitudes in moderate to cold weather They should fit over liner socks without constricting blood flow and be constructed of merino wool or synthetic fiber (2 pairs).


Thick warm socks

Thick warm socks (Polar Tec) made of synthetic material. 2 pairs recommended for use on cold days + 1 pair for the summit day.

 

 



Liner socks

Very lightweight synthetic socks are designed to quickly move moisture away from your skin, reduce blisters’ appearance by absorbing friction, and keeping your feet dry. Liner socks are typically constructed from synthetic materials, nylon or polypropylene, for first skin. 3 pairs + 1 pair is recommended to wear on Summit Day.


Foot warmers (optional)

Foot warmers may be worn to provide greater comfort. 6 pairs are recommended.

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