Do I need mountaineering boots for K2 Base Camp?

K2 Base Camp is a two-boot trip. You do the trail miles in a B0 hiking boot (experienced hikers with light day loads often use trail runners for much of the approach), then switch to an alpine B1 or B2 boot with crampons for the Gondogoro La pass. Epic recommends the alpine boot with a step-in crampon over trekking boots and strap-ons, because deep snow and cold on the pass make the more secure setup worth it.

What's the difference between a B1 and a B2 boot?

A B1 is a stiffer four-season trekking boot with no heel welt, so it only takes a C1 strap-on crampon. A B2 has a rear heel welt that locks in a C2 step-in crampon, and is built for glaciated terrain and semi-technical peaks.

What boot do I need for Lobuche East?

A 6000m double-walled boot, such as the La Sportiva G2 Evo or Scarpa Phantom 6000, for the climb, plus a B0 hiking boot for the trek in through Gokyo. Lobuche East is a semi-technical 6,119m peak with a pre-dawn summit push, and the cold at that altitude justifies a proper 6000er double boot.

What boot do I need for Spantik?

A B3 double-walled 6000m boot such as the La Sportiva G2 Evo for the upper mountain, with a B0 hiking boot for the approach. Spantik tops out at 7,027m, where sustained cold means a single-walled boot is not enough.

What boots do I need for the Ecuador volcanoes?

A 6000m double-walled boot for the glaciated summits of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, plus a B0 or trail runners for acclimatisation hikes. The climbs start pre-dawn near and above 6,000m, which is cold enough to justify a double boot.

What boot do I need for the Snow Lake / Hispar La trek?

A B0 hiking boot for the trekking days and an alpine B1 or B2 with crampons for the glacier crossing over the Hispar La. The glacier travel is the reason you want a boot that takes a crampon securely.

What boots do I need for Madeira?

A B0 hiking boot or trail runners. Madeira's levada and laurisilva trails involve no snow or crampons, so a comfortable waterproof hiking boot (or a grippy trail running shoe if you pack light) is all you need.

Do I need mountaineering boots for the Kokoda Track?

No. The Kokoda Track is jungle trekking with no altitude, so well-fitted B0 hiking boots (or trail runners if you're confident on rough ground) are the right call. Break them in well before you fly, because your feet take a beating over the eight days.

What's the difference between C1, C2, and C3 crampons?

C1 strap-on crampons wrap any welted boot and suit the odd pass or icy section. C2 step-in crampons clip onto a rear heel welt and need a B2 or B3 boot. C3 fully automatic crampons need both a toe and heel welt, so they only fit a B3. Your crampon's C-rating must sit at or below your boot's B-rating.

Find the Perfect Pair of Boots

Don’t know which boot to bring on your next adventure? Fill out the form below with your criteria and see our recommendations!

Wondering what trekking boot to buy? As expedition leaders running trips all over the world, it's one of the questions we get asked most. The right boot comes down to your terrain, how cold and high you're going, whether you'll be on crampons, and how heavy your pack is. So if you're trying to work out whether a standard B0 hiking boot will do, or whether you need a B2 mountaineering boot for glaciated ground, answer six quick questions and we'll tell you the exact type of boot to look for, for your trip and your trekking style.

This tool needs JavaScript to run. In the meantime, read our full guide to mountaineering boots, which walks through B0 to B3 and what to look for.

Some boot and crampon links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Epic may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only point you to gear we'd put on our own trips.

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