Trango Ice Cube GTX - Broken Lace Hook

One of the plastic lace hooks got broken in my right Trango Ice Cube. The boots are no longer under warranty. So, I was wondering if someone has experience in repairing this, or I just need to go to cobbler to replace the broken hook with a metal one.

This is a huge problem with those Ice Cubes and it really is shameful that Sportiva took that route both in the design and then later in the warranty process. Sadly, I think the only method to repair is to indeed take to a cobbler and have them replace (all) the plastic hooks with metal hooks.

I’m surprised the hook broke before the fabric eyelet at the ankle wore through (at least, that is where I expect mine to fail).

clint helander wrote: This is a huge problem with those Ice Cubes and it really is shameful that Sportiva took that route both in the design and then later in the warranty process. Sadly, I think the only method to repair is to indeed take to a cobbler and have them replace (all) the plastic hooks with metal hooks.

Thanks! Yes, it is too bad that weakness of these boots (the lace hooks) because I am pretty happy with their ice climbing performance.

That's unfortunate but that particular problem is well-documented with this boot. With it having been in production for three or four years now, hopefully this problem is found mainly in the early models. Can anyone speak to robustness/QC in recently-bought Cubes?

I had mine replaced last winter due to broken lace hooks. I asked to have them replaced with Trango tower extremes but got another pair of ice cubes instead. So far those haven’t broken. 

I was trying on a pair at the LS shop in boulder and broke the eyelet while first lacing up. No aggressive pulling or anything, but I do pull the laces pretty tight. Popped right through. Staff were nice about it and maybe a bit embarrassed. 

Same thing happened to me. Nearly needed a resole before the eyelet broke. Sportiva sent a new pair. Happens to everyone with these boots.

If it helps, i break the lace hooks on the TX5 approach boots as fast as LaSportiva can replace them, and it happens to a couple of others guys I work with. They clearly know it’s an issue, and clearly don’t care. 

It’s a really stupid problem to have...

Thanks everyone, I took it to a cobbler to change the broken hook for a metal one.
Nonetheless, I think La Sportiva should do something to resolve the problem 

I just had this problem with one of the upper lace hooks and was thinking about getting all the hooks replaced. Would getting the hooks replaced damage the boots more than they already are because just by looking at the hooks I see no easy way to do this although I’m not a cobbler. Missing the upper set of ice hooks did not affect performance to any noticeable degree so I’m wondering if it’s even worth it. I’ve also emailed la sportive and am awaiting a response. If anyone has any insights they would be greatly appreciated.

I would be very interested to see photos of any of the repair jobs. Is it just riveted through all the layers of the boot? I presume that is only an option for the lace hooks and not the lower plastic loops?

Had luck with the cobbler route. What size are yours? 

8 Mens

The cobbler's job with a metal hook worked fine.  I did not have any more issues with this one, or the original plastic hooks.  I am a men's 13.

Fernando Pazwrote:

The cobbler's job with a metal hook worked fine.  I did not have any more issues with this one, or the original plastic hooks.  I am a men's 13.

would you mind sharing some pictures I'm curious about how this repair is done. Do they have to go through the fabric or is it a surface fix?

Sure, I will share the picture shortly