Scarpa vs La Sportiva boots

Fit and lasts

Every brand builds boots around lasts, the foot-shaped forms that set the volume, width and toe shape. Scarpa's walking boots such as the Terra and Ranger are often described as having a classic, fairly roomy fit that suits many British feet. La Sportiva boots are often described as narrower and more precise, a fit that comes from its climbing heritage.

These are general impressions, not guarantees. Both makers use several lasts, and La Sportiva sells Wide versions of some models, such as the Ultra Raptor II Mid Leather Wide GTX. Try both brands on with your walking socks before deciding, and read are Scarpa boots true to size for Scarpa's sizing in detail.

Sizing quirks

Both brands use EU sizes as their main scale, with UK equivalents on their charts. Because EU sizes step in smaller increments than UK sizes, conversions are approximate and one brand's EU 43 can feel different from another's. Many walkers find they take the same EU size in both brands, others go up or down half a size.

The safest approach is to measure your foot length in millimetres, check each maker's chart and allow a thumb's width of toe room. Our boot size converter and walking boot size chart help with the maths.

Four models compared

The table lines up a walking boot and an approach shoe from each brand. All facts come from the amazon.co.uk listings.

How the ranges line up

For everyday walking, Scarpa's Terra, Ranger and Cyrus and La Sportiva's Nucleo, Trango TRK and Ultra Raptor cover similar ground. Scarpa's line-up has more traditional leather walking boots; La Sportiva's leans towards lighter, sportier and more technical designs.

For approach shoes, both are leaders: Scarpa's Mescalito and Crux and La Sportiva's TX range and Boulder X are common sights on British crags. Our best approach shoes guide compares five of them.

Both also make stiff mountain boots for winter and alpine use. Check each maker's own crampon guidance for any model you plan to use with crampons, and get proper instruction before heading into winter mountains.

See Scarpa boots compared →

Membranes, soles and materials

Both brands use Gore-Tex in most of their waterproof walking boots and approach shoes, and both often use Vibram outsoles, though La Sportiva also uses its own soles on some models. Scarpa's newer leather boots such as the Terra GTX and Kinesis Pro GTX list Gore-Tex Standard ePE linings, a newer membrane generation that the listings describe as PFAS free.

On materials, Scarpa's walking range has more thick leather and nubuck boots, while La Sportiva mixes leather boots such as the Nucleo High II with lighter mesh and synthetic designs. If you want leather, both have options; if you want the lightest possible boot, La Sportiva's Ultra Raptor family and Scarpa's Rush and Ribelle models are worth comparing in our lightweight walking boots guide.

Which to choose

Choose Scarpa if you want a traditional leather walking boot with a widely liked fit, or if La Sportiva feels tight. Choose La Sportiva if you have a narrower foot, like a precise, sporty fit or want a technical boot or approach shoe. If your feet are wide, look at Scarpa or at La Sportiva's Wide models, or at our walking boots for wide feet guide.

Whatever you choose, try boots on in the evening, check for heel lift on a slope and give leather boots a few short walks before a big day.

Frequently asked questions

Is La Sportiva narrower than Scarpa? Many walkers find so, but both brands use several lasts. Try them on.

Do Scarpa and La Sportiva size the same? Both use EU sizes, but fit differs. Some walkers take the same size, others change by half a size.

Are La Sportiva hiking boots good for UK walking? Models like the Nucleo High II GTX and Trango TRK GTX, with Gore-Tex and leather uppers, suit wet British hills well.

Which brand makes better approach shoes? Both make excellent ones. Pick by fit and by whether you want a membrane.