Mountain Project Logo

Scarpa Rebel vs Asolo Eiger

Original Post
Ryan Neff · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2016 · Points: 15

Hello everyone,

Sorry in advance to make yet another boot thread. I am buying my first pair of mountaineering boots and I need some advice.

The places I am going are Ouray and Stubai Glacier (Austria) for ice climbing. I'll do some summit trips in the sierra in the coming years as well. I am primarily a Southwestern rock climber for the past few years so this talk of warm feet is very new to me. (I am used to my feet burning in the sun, not freezing)

Can anyone give me a take on these two boots? I ordered a pair of Scarpa Rebels to try during back country's free returns but there's no cold temps to try them out with down here. I'll be in Ouray and Stubai in the Dec-Feb period in temps where I am expecting in the range of 5-20 F.

I should also mention that being able to use the boot on via ferrata hikes/climbs would be great for me. There are a bunch down here in AZ and I could get some extra use out of the boot that way. That's why I was looking at the Scarpa Rebel.

Thank you very much for your input.

KC

Nate K · · Bozeman, MT · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 240

I own the rebels and love them. solid boot, great for climbing difficult mixed. they made the rubber on the sole very thin so dont use them to do via ferratae or youll wear them out, get cheap approach shoes for that, theyre better for climbing rock anyways.

That being said if its your first boot maybe dont get the rebels, if you dont have good footwork youll bash your toes up pretty bad because the boots lack protection. Theyre also not very warm, if youre not used to the cold you could be pretty miserable in them. the Asolos would be better for that.

as far as either boot choice goes you honestly you dont need them. I have used a lot of mountain boots, everything from old plastics, newer double boots, and leather boots. If the boot fits your foot well you will not notice a big difference until around WI5. so my recomendation would be save the $200 and go with a leather boot like the old sportiva nepal. (old not new). you wont be a good enough ice climber to notice a difference for at least a couple years and by then youll probably know more about the style of the next boot you want to buy (ie boot for difficult mixed, double boot for expeditions, summer alpine boot)

Nick Drake · · Kent, WA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 651

I own rebels and would agree with what Nate said, they may not be warm enough for you. I have used them for summer routes in the cascades and serac cragging with temps in the high 20s. I don't think they would be warm enough for me below the mid teens with longer belays.

As for the sole wear, I had the first scarpa rebel carbons, which were the same last with no insulation and no toe welt. I used them for two seasons of long cascade approaches and easy to moderate rock routes (climbing nearly every weekend). I wore completely through the toe down to the plastic. Other PNW climbers reported similar wear. I would get a cheaper approach shoe/boot for your via ferrata.

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

I would recommend going to a reputable shop and getting fit for your first pair of boots. If you don't have a good shop nearby, wait until your trip to buy them. Good fitting boots will make hiking and climbing fun and painless or miserable. LaSportiva are good for flat narrow feet and Scarpa are good for wide feet.

I own a pair of Rebels. I also own a pair of Phantom Guides and a pair of 6000s. If I were to have only one pair it would be the Scarpa Phantom Guides. Those boots are good for when it's single digits or near freezing.

The Asolo Eigers would be similar to the LaSportiva Nepals or the Scarpa Phantom Guides. They climb almost as well as the Rebels but they're warmer. I was planning to buy a pair but Backcountry sold the 12s :( I would recommend the Eigers IF you know the right size.

Ryan Neff · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2016 · Points: 15

Thanks for the replies! I am going to try on my Rebels when they come today and make a decision after that then based on your replies. There is no shop near me to go try on a variety of boots, so the internet and a good return policy is my best bet for now.

rocknice2 · · Montreal, QC · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 3,847
Bill Kirby wrote: LaSportiva are good for flat narrow feet and Scarpa are good for wide feet.
Not all LaSportivas are created equal. The Nepals are a wide boot and the Trango are very narrow. I think the Baturas are the same last as the Nepals.

I have the Nepal GTX and wanted the Trango Cubes until I tried them on. Ended up with the Scarpa Rebel Pro, nice a wide.

I haven't tried them yet in cold weather but they were quite warm down to -8c.

Fit is everything in boots. Don't get fixated on a brand/model. Go to a good pro shop where they can professionally fit a boot to your foot. It's the difference between fun and misery, literally!
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Climbing Gear Discussion
Post a Reply to "Scarpa Rebel vs Asolo Eiger"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.