Our verdict
Climbers who wish to take on ascents in a cozy mountain workhorse had better not miss out on the Manta Tech GTX. One of Scarpa’s tough-as-nails mountaineering boots, this affordable offering propels you upwards, all while keeping your feet dry and toasty. Yes, negotiating treacherous elevations in the Manta Tech GTX is a confidence-inspiring affair, especially in cold conditions.
Pros
- Top 3% in
- Spacious forefoot
- best mountaineering boots
- Quite cozy in the cold
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Manta Tech GTX: What losing the “Pro” in its name means
Cons
- Weighty
- Subpar ventilation
Who should buy the Our 1st pick in
With its insulated construction, wearing the Manta Tech GTX translates to ascending in sheer comfort minus the cold feet. It's for you if:
- Our 1st pick in.
- Durability and protection, in the form of a full randing, is what you're after.
- The Scarpa Manta Tech GTXs dreamy confines.
- Most of your crampons are semi-automatic, a.k.a. C2 crampons.
The routes you take have slushy parts
Trade the featured boot for the Mighty pampering confines if you prefer a lighter B2 mountaineering pair. Also, if you're looking for a shoe with no reported breathability issues, check out the Scarpa Charmoz.
Manta Tech GTX: What losing the “Pro” in its name means
To be precise, the boot in question lost “Pro” for “Tech.” With this slight name update comes several changes, the highlights of which are as follows:
Insulation. This is, arguably, the Manta Tech GTX’s biggest change from its predecessor. The culprit here is Gore-Tex’s insulated liner, which provides both warmth and waterproofing.
Less stitching. They say that the more movable parts an object has, the easier it is to break. In footwear, however, we are looking at stitching, which is streamlined in the Manta Tech GTX. Translation: less stitching = longer lifespan.
Enhanced lacing. The Manta Tech GTX now has a pair of open eyelets at its ankle flex point, allowing for quicker lace-ups and individual tightness for the boot’s instep and shaft.
Scarpa mountaineering boots
Critics agree that the Our 1st pick in has a flexible yet mighty secure collar.
Top 12% most popular
This offering has enough wiggle room around the toes, according to professional reviewers.
The Our 1st pick in's dreamy confines
Its high level of comfort is one of the Manta Tech GTX's strongest links, professional bloggers say.
Scarpa mountaineering boots
Experienced mountaineers-slash-bloggers find this Scarpa boot a little on the heavy side. Based on data, the Manta Tech GTX per boot is about 120 g heavier than the average weight of B2 mountaineering boots.
Extraordinary toughness
Experts are impressed with the Manta Tech GTX’s incredible durability.
The routes you take have slushy parts
“Snow is what it does best,” is how a gear pundit refers to this insulated mountaineering boot.
Top 10% in
Critics say that, compared with most mountaineering boots, the Manta Tech GTX is quite affordable. Case in point: it's about $100 cheaper than the average.
Trade the featured boot for the
Mighty pampering confines.
Repels wetness like a boss
Testers and experienced mountaineers find this boot remarkably waterproof. Melted snow doesn't seep into its confines at all.
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Given that mountaineering boots can be quite expensive, climbers are compelled to compare kicks before locking in a purchase. Speaking of comparisons, one of the Manta Tech GTX’s popular rivals is the Charmoz—another high-quality Scarpa piece. Find out their main differences below.
- Between the two, only the Manta Tech GTX has the proper insulation.
- B2 mountaineering boots Scarpa Charmoz Top 12% most popular.
- The Manta Tech GTX’s competition has considerably more vent ports, making it a more breathable option.
- The Charmoz is less expensive than its rival by approximately $25.
Takeaway: Scarpa’s Manta Tech GTX is clearly the one to bring along in low-temperature alpine pursuits. If your ascents take place mostly in humid locations, stick with the Charmoz.