Women’s La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX Review

Bottom Line

The La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX boots are one of our go-tos for situations that require a bit more support than a trail runner can provide. They are also reliably waterproof with a GORE-TEX membrane and tough leather upper, and the Vibram outsoles provide reliable grip even on challenging terrain. In fact, these boots stood out as some of the grippiest in our lineup.

We wore these boots on spring hikes outside of Durango, Colorado, and they stayed perfectly dry when hiking through mud and snow patches. They were also easy to trust on big descents and when hiking over rocky terrain – all while coming in at a very competitive weight.

One drawback to note is that the impressive waterproofing leads to warm feet on hot days. Additionally, though the boots were very comfortable thanks to their wide toe box and relaxed fit, the flexible collar offers limited ankle support. If those are dealbreakers for you, there are plenty of alternatives in our guide to the best women’s hiking boots.

How We Tested

We tested the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX boots primarily around Durango, Colorado, on day hikes and one backpacking trip to Petrified Forest National Park. We wore them on hikes up to 13 miles long on dirt roads and singletrack trails. Due to the spring season, they saw terrain from dirt to mud and even patches of snow. In order to get a better feel for these boots, we also wore them on walks around town and to the office.

Comfort

The first thing we noticed when putting on the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX for the first time was how spacious the toe box felt. Compared to most other boots we tested, these have plenty of room for the foot to expand. This is a huge contributor to overall comfort, whether you’re out on a short stroll or an all-day hike.

The TX Hike boots are also offered in a nice range of sizes, including European half sizes, which is a plus. We do wish that the laces had a bit more adjustability – and potentially another set of locking eyelets – for dialing in a more precise fit.

In the field, we enjoyed the boots’ low weight and wide toe box. The only time comfort suffered was on less forgiving surfaces like paved roads and concrete floors. In these situations, our feet grew fatigued after wearing the TX Hike boots for around half a day. To be fair, most traditional leather boots have stiffer soles, and you can always add aftermarket insoles if you’re concerned about the rigidity underfoot.

On the flip side, we did not experience any fatigue on an 11-mile hike in the San Juan National Forest that was entirely singletrack. In fact, the stiffer sole was welcome while hiking over rocky terrain, effectively protecting and isolating our feet from the rough ground below.

Durability

Over the course of multiple day hikes, we did not see any noticeable signs of wear or tear. The lugs looked practically brand new, and the only sign of use was dried mud from a recent hike. Vibram rubber is known for its longevity, and the roughout leather uppers are very resistant to abrasion.

Our only real concern with these boots is the lacing system, which uses thin fabric eyelets rather than standard metal hooks. These could be a potential point of failure over time, although we have not had any issues thus far. The good news is that there are minimal seams and stitching, which bodes well for long-term durability. 

Ankle Support

The TX Hike Mid Leather GTX trades some ankle support for comfort, with a thinner collar that doesn’t add much structure. Comparing the TX Hike to other leather hikers in our lineup, the collar is much more bendable, which makes these boots easier to move in and less likely to cause rubbing. However, the trade-off is that they do not provide nearly as much support when shuttling a heavy pack or navigating unstable terrain. 

On day hikes, we found that the TX Hike boots had adequate support for walking on rocky trails with little weight on our back. They felt stable but not restrictive when walking over rocks in a wash. That said, if you have weak ankles or simply put a premium on support, there are better options available. 

Traction

Traction is a big strength for the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX boots thanks to grippy Vibram rubber and an aggressive tread pattern. Vibram is known for having exceptional grip, even on wet or off-camber terrain. Bigger lugs result in more surface area to grip the ground, particularly on uneven surfaces. The multidirectional layout of the lugs maximizes grip on steep ascents and descents. 

We did not have any issues with grip, even on aggressive hills in the San Juan Mountains. We were able to walk through snow and cross creeks on slippery rocks without worrying about falling down. Given our experiences, the TX Hike boots have become a go-to choice when traction is a top priority.

Weather Resistance

The La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX boots kept our feet nice and dry on muddy trails in the San Juans. They performed similarly well during our submersion test, staying completely dry when placed in a bathtub. The GORE-TEX Extended Comfort lining is very reliable, and the water-resistant roughout leather uppers add another layer of assurance.

We tested these boots during the spring season in Colorado, which means we ended up hiking through a lot of snow patches and mud. This was a great opportunity to test waterproofing in the field, and we purposefully walked through as much muck and water as possible. As long as snow did not enter over the collar, the interior stayed completely dry. One thing to note is that these boots may need to be paired with gaiters if there is a lot of snow or rain to keep moisture from entering at the ankle. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the impressive waterproofing makes these boots less breathable and much warmer to wear on hot days. We noticed our feet became sweaty when walking in direct sun. If this is a concern, synthetic boots – especially those with a lot of mesh – are generally more breathable than leather hikers.

Weight

We loved that the TX Hike Mid Leather GTX boots felt lightweight underfoot – a nice upgrade from leather boots of old. Though heavier than a true trail runner and even some trail runner-inspired hiking boots, the TX Hike’s added heft wasn’t noticeable unless we wore the two styles back to back. On long days, the boots never felt heavy or like they were slowing us down. It was nice to change out of them, but we weren’t in a rush to do so.

We were also pleased to find that these boots weighed a little less on our scale than their advertised weight. Our pair came in at 1 pound, 11.4 ounces, while La Sportiva lists them at 1 pound, 12.4 ounces. It’s not a big difference, but weight can add up quickly on the trail. 

Should You Buy the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX?

There’s a lot to love about the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX boots. Their lightweight feel and roomy footbox reminded us a lot of trail runners, making them a great middle ground for those who want to balance weight and support. The GORE-TEX membrane offers top-notch waterproofing, while the Vibram outsole is long-lasting and easy to trust.

That said, those with weak ankles or who will be carrying a heavy pack may want to consider a boot with a stiffer and more supportive collar. We also found that breathability suffered as a result of the stalwart waterproof membrane. And if you prefer a cushy feel underfoot, you’ll likely want to soften things up with an aftermarket insole. 

What Other Women’s Hiking Boots Should You Consider?

Not quite what you are looking for? Check out some of our other favorite hiking boots for women.

La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Review: Like the TX Hike Leather, La Sportiva’s Nucleo boots feature a reliable GORE-TEX membrane and tough leather upper. They cost a little more than the TX Hike and require a longer break-in period but get the edge in ankle support and breathability.

LOWA Renegade EVO GTX Mid Review: One of our top performers, the Renegade EVO earned high marks in comfort, durability, support, traction, and weather resistance. You do pay a bit of a weight penalty with the Renegades coming in at over 2 pounds for the pair, but there’s little to knock from a performance standpoint.

Altra Lone Peak 9 Waterproof Mid Review: For those who value a lightweight feel underfoot, the Altra Lone Peak Mids are a nice cross between a trail runner and a hiking boot. The Lone Peaks are flexible and fast-moving, although they’re not as durable or supportive as the beefier TX Hike Mid.