La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX review

I’ve been testing the La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX boots for the last month on all of my hikes, and they’ve proved to be some of the best hiking boots for any season and any terrain. They look the part too, which helps me feel unstoppable on the trail.

The boots are comfortable out of the box and offer excellent traction as well as good cushioning and support on the trail. They are waterproof for all weather and are very durable with a tear-resistant upper.

Bear in mind that these boots have a narrow fit and don’t come in a wide size option, but that’s the only real downside to these excellent stompers. To find out more about my experience, you can keep reading this full La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX review.

La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX review: Specs

La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX review: Price & availability

The La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX hiking boots are available to purchase on the La Sportiva website for $249 in the U.S. and £220 in the U.K. The color selection differs between territories. In the U.S., there are only two choices — Carbon/Redwood or Mocha/Redwood — and in the U.K. you can choose from Cypress/Azalea, Carbon/Redwood or Gravel/Cypress. You can also purchase the shoes on Amazon for $310 in the U.S., but sizes and colors are limited.

When deciding on the boot size, you will need to convert from European sizing, since this is how the boots are sold on the site. The boots are available in women’s EUR sizes 36 to 42.5 with half sizes, and men’s EUR sizes 40 to 48.5 with half sizes. I’m usually a U.K. size 5 and needed to size up since the boots have a very snug fit. I ended up purchasing an EUR size 39, which is a U.K. size 6 and a U.S. women’s size 7.5.

These boots are certainly on the more expensive side, but it’s not hard to see why. They’re very well made and comfortable to walk in. Also very supportive are the Scarpa Cyrus 2 Mid GTX. These boots cost $240, but this is the price to pay for a boot you’d happily spend your life walking in.

Another boot with excellent ankle support is the Keen Targhee IV, which costs $169. They’ve been my go-to boots for taking on the outdoors for over a year now, but I think the La Sportivas could end their reign.

La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX review: Design & build

After speaking to friends and colleagues, it turns out the La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX boots are a bit like cilantro — you either love it, or you hate it with a burning passion. But to me, they’re perfect. I like the look of the boots and the available colorways. They look like they mean business when you’re out on the trail.

The boots are perfect for narrow feet, and lace up for a snug, albeit supportive, fit. However, there’s no wide fit option, so those with wide feet need to look elsewhere, such as the Keen Targhee IV.

Upper

The upper is made from nubuck leather and a breathable Gore-Tex lining for a water-resistant finish. They coped well with heavy rain and deep puddles, and are also tear-resistant, so they can withstand even the rockiest terrain. The lacing system is very supportive, and cinched in all the right places to ensure a comfortable walk.

Although the laces get tight, my ankles moved freely. In other boots, I’ve been used to having a limited range of movement around my ankles like the Scarpa Cyrus 2 Mid GTX, but these felt a lot more forgiving.

Insole

The La Sportiva boots have a footbed boost of 5mm, which is simply the insole height. This contributes to the cushioning of the boot and felt like it contoured to my feet. The drop value of 8mm (from heel to toe) also helped me get the best posture possible.

Usually, in other boots, I experience some strain on my lower back as a result of a smaller drop value, as there’s more pressure on my calves. Instead, I felt supported. The flex system with the CM EVE foam (a lightweight, rubber foam) also helps with rebound.

Outsole

The outsole provided me with a lot of grip for every terrain I walked on. The lugs of the boot, which dig into the ground to provide traction, measure 4.5mm tall. This is a good height for grip and I find it to be the sweet spot, with most of my Keen boots also sitting in this range. The soles are made of Vibram rubber, so they absorb a lot of the impact of the ground, which helped reduce strain when walking over longer distances.

La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX review: Break-in & comfort

I have no complaints about the La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX hiking boots and their comfort level. I wore them right out of the box with no issues. My first walk in these boots took me through gravel, muddy fields, and shallow running water. The traction and flex felt great right off the bat.

Comfort

The toe box of the boots is quite narrow, but this really wasn’t an issue for me. In fact, since my feet are very narrow, the ideal fit gave me more control, providing a more stable hiking experience.

My only very slight qualm is that my feet naturally swell from heat when walking, so the boots can start to feel a little tight. It’s obviously good that the lace-up system doesn’t slip, but sometimes, a little bit of give is a good thing, as you can move more freely. With that said, it didn’t cause me any major pain or blisters.

Cushioning in these boots is ideal. It took away some of the impact, especially when walking over bigger rocks and generally rough terrain, but I could still feel what was going on underfoot. The Scarpa Cyrus 2 Mid boots also let you feel the ground beneath your feet through the soles, and this is a feature I’ve come to really appreciate.

La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX review: Performance

The La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX hiking boots are easily some of my favorite boots.. They’re comfortable, cushioned, and support me across any terrain. The cushioning helps support my knees by reducing impact.

Grip

The 4.5mm lugs on the outsole of the hiking boots made me feel stable across all terrain I walked on. Even on slippery surfaces like wet rocks, the Vibram soles provided a lot of grip, and I didn’t slip once despite my clumsy disposition.

Support

The arch support is great, and this in turn improved my posture. Since the lace-up system is tight for narrow feet, I felt a lot of support from the side walls — these two things combined stopped my feet from turning inward as I walked and boosted protection for my ankles by increasing my overall stability.

Flex

The boots have a moderate amount of flex, but never bent too much. I had complete support where I needed it. The most flex is happening in the toe box, which worked perfectly for me, especially when navigating uneven, tricky terrain.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing on the La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX boots is very effective. I went out hiking in the pouring rain, and my socks stayed completely dry. My walk also took me through puddles and shallow running water, and luckily my feet stayed dry and warm. I know I’ll be able to rely on these boots for all seasons.

La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX review: Maintenance

The La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX hiking boots are easy to maintain, just like any other leather boot. If they get muddy on the trail, remove the laces and gently brush off any dry mud. Then, use a damp cloth to remove any stubborn stains. Let the boots air-dry naturally and avoid artificial heat, as it can compromise the boot's integrity.

La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX review: Verdict

The La Sportiva TX5 Evo Mid GTX hiking boots are some of my favorite boots. They were comfortable and ready for a long walk right out of the box, and felt durable, even on trickier terrain. The boots provided excellent traction and stability across mud, gravel, and sand, and the waterproofing withstood stormy weather.

Although the cushioning and support are good, it’s worth noting that the boots fit narrowly. For people with wider feet, this boot simply won’t fit even if you size up, and unfortunately, La Sportiva doesn’t offer a wide fit option.

Nevertheless, this is still a great all-rounder boot to support you on the toughest adventures, and one I certainly recommend.