When the Soles Wear Thin: Deciding When To Resole Your Trusty La Sportiva Mountaineering Boots

La Sportiva makes some of the most popular and trusted la Sportiva mountaineering boots for challenging mountain terrain.

But hardcore use can take its toll, gradually wearing down the soles over time.

So when is the right moment to invest in resolving your boots to restore grip and extend their life?

Early Warning Signs Your La Sportiva Boots Need a Resole

Keep an eye out for these key indicators that your boots are due for fresh soles:

• Deep lugs worn down 50% or more
• Flat spots are visible when the sole is viewed edge-on
• Slipping, loss of traction during climbs
• Toes, edges visibly rounded and smooth
• Cracks or damage in the sole’s forefoot or heel

The more of these signs present, the sooner it’s time to resolve before serious safety or performance issues arise. Monitor high-wear areas like lugs and edges especially close.

Primary Factors That Impact Sole Wear

Several variables influence how quickly your La Sportiva boots will need resolving:

Mileage and Use

• More miles = faster breakdown. Light use may mean 5 years per resole. Heavy use could be less than 1 year.
• Off-trail miles wear faster than maintained routes
• Backpacking wears faster than day hiking

Weight and Fit

• Heavy pack weights increase wear
• Good boot fit reduces abnormal sole friction

Terrain and Conditions

• Rocky, jagged terrain accelerates wear
• Wet conditions erode soles faster than dry

When To Resole by Boot Type

This table provides a general guide on typical resole timeframes by category:

As always, inspect your actual wear and sole condition rather than going solely by mileage or time. But use these numbers as a general guide on when to start checking closely.

When Damage Risk Outweighs the Cost

Ultimately, the right time to resolve comes when:

• Sole damage is noticeably impairing traction, stability, and control during climbs
• Further, wear likely risks boot failure shortly
• Resoling cost is less than the risk and consequence of damage during a climb

It also never hurts to resolve one season earlier if funds allow, preserving your boots to maximize long-term use. 

Consider it cheap insurance to avoid being forced into an untimely resole just before a major climb!

Extend Your Resole Mileage

You can’t prevent sole wear indefinitely when heavily using your La Sportiva boots. But these tips help slow deterioration:

• Clean Often: Rinse off dirt and debris that abrade soles faster
• Store Properly: Allow boots to fully dry out before storage to prevent moisture deterioration
• Reinforce Early: Apply protective rand and sole patches at initial signs of wear
• Smooth Surfaces: File down sharp points or edges that accelerate uneven wear
• Replace Hardware: Old grommets, hooks, and lace hardware can tear soles from the inside

Those trusty La Sportiva boots have carried you up plenty of peaks already. Keep them climbing strong by watching for resole warning signs and acting before it’s too late!