G-Tech and G-Summit: specific features and technical elements of two top-of-the-range mountaineering boots

Similar in appearance, these two boots differ in their intended use and technical features, while overlapping in terms of certain constructions and material choices. G-Tech is incredibly lightweight, designed for more specialist ice-climbing on ice and modern mixed climbing, while the G-Summit shoe is dedicated to specialist mountaineering at high altitude, with vertical stretches and marked exposed sections. Both have a construction made with Core-Wrap™ technology, for maximum comfort and thermal insulation, and BOA® Fit System closure, for precise but quick adjustment.

G-Tech and G-Summit are closely related: in this article we will help you understand the characteristics and specific features of each.

G-Tech: the perfect boot for mixed terrain and ice

G-Tech is the mountaineering boot designed and developed for vertical climbing on mixed terrain and on ice, where the use of crampons and ice axes is required.

Gulleys, waterfalls and frozen walls require the use of highly specific equipment. For this reason La Sportiva has raised its standards of performance and comfort with G-Tech, positioning itself as a benchmark in the area of mountaineering equipment including ice-climbing and modern mixed climbing.

G-Tech consists of a waterproof, heat-sealed and elasticated external gaiter with excellent abrasion-resistance and adaptability to every type of foot. This houses an innovative internal construction, obtained thanks to the La Sportiva patent, CORE-WRAP™ construction.

In this boot, comfort and precision of use are guaranteed by an overlap construction with high thermal insulation and structural reinforcements, thus generating a large entrance opening ensuring maximum ease of fit, without ever losing precision and sensitivity even in the most challenging situations.

The locking system is located in the upper part Power Strap and the BOA® Fit System – an adjustment system located on the outside of the gaiter which allows for maximum ease of adjustment in any situation, even with gloves.

The sole is compatible with automatic crampons equipped with Vibram Ice-Tech™, divided into two parts to maximise performance when climbing and walking.

G-Tech is a shoe that can be reused in its entirety or – if only partially worn – only in the front part, in order to reduce environmental impact.

La Sportiva strives to reduce its consumption of raw materials and evaluate the sustainability of production choices in all its actions, translating this objective into a series of virtuous best practices. Resoling is one of these best practices aimed at limiting resource waste, encouraging consumers to extend the service life of their product without affecting how innovative, functional or comfortable it is in any way.

La Sportiva's outstanding dedication has helped produce a highly specialist yet comfortable boot weighing just 630g, making it ideal for ice-climbing and modern mixed climbing, in high mountains and through gullies.

G-Summit: the ideal product for high altitude mountaineering

With G-Summit, the La Sportiva Footwear R&D Team has once again made every effort to develop an advanced and revolutionary product, arising from close collaboration with our athletes and highly specialist external laboratories, in order to collect fundamental thermal and performance data.

The result is top-of-the-range high altitude mountaineering equipment, with climbing on highly specialist mixed terrain and with vertical stretches and marked exposed sections, even on ice or snow, where the use of ice axes is always required.

G-Summit is today the most versatile, lightweight and precise specialist mountaineering product on the market. This success was achieved by being able to use the boot with or without an internal liner, in order to customise the fit and degree of thermal protection in simple steps. In fact, we can use the boot with the liner when we need greater warmth and comfort, or by removing it and inserting the supplied thermal insole. This will make for a warm boot with greater internal volume, yet is precise in fit and feel.

As with its younger brother G-Tech, the G-Summit provides the CORE-WRAP™ construction patented by La Sportiva. The purpose of this technology is to guarantee maximum lightness and thermal protection to the product. It is made up of multiple synergistic layers: the inner shoe, the gaiter and the carbon insole. The water-repellent, highly wear-resistant gaiter is glued directly to the ultra-light assembly insole, entirely made of carbon and equipped with special  PU TechLite™ rubber edges.

As for lacing technology, G-Summit is equipped with Power Strap at the top and the BOA® Fit System outside the gaiter, thus allowing comfortable adjustment even with gloves and in the most demanding conditions.

La Sportiva Ice-Tech™ by Vibram exclusively developed for La Sportiva, however, is a sole which adapts to all the main types of automatic crampons, thus improving performance during ascents and walkability. Divided into two parts, it gives you a choice when resoling: you can replace only the front part or the entire tread.

Having a standalone weight of 810g (850g with liner) it is currently the lightest and most thermally insulated boot on the market for high altitude specialist mountaineering. Ideal for ice climbing and climbing big walls, technical treks in winter conditions and staying in extreme places at low temperatures.

For further information: what is CORE-WRAP™ construction?

CORE-WRAP ^TM is a technology created and patented by La Sportiva. The aim is to guarantee maximum lightness and thermal protection to the product. It consists of three layers:

• Internal shoe
• Gaiter
• Carbon insole

This technology is highly revolutionary in creating the inner shoe. Unlike other products, this one is very lightweight, waterproof and very well thermally insulated at the same time. This shoe is also wrapped in a water repellent gaiter, with high abrasion-resistance properties and water-resistant internal bellows. All seams are taped, enhanced by a zip that closes laterally to make walking easier.

These various layers are glued to the carbon insole and structurally strengthened by TPU inserts; to complete the sole, which is compatible with automatically attaching crampons, a Vibram tread specifically designed for this shoe type is present.

 To protect the gaiter, PU TechLite ^TM edges are present.

To make the lacing comfortable in outdoor environments and situations, the boot features a Boa with external adjustment, while the internal shoe is enhanced by a Velcro, closing the upper part of the ankle.