La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX Wins Gear of the Year from Outside

(BOULDER, Colo.) –La Sportiva has been honored with a 2017 Outside Gear of the Year award for the Nucleo High GTX, a lightweight leather hiking boot that uses Gore-Tex Surround® technology. Presented annually to the best products in their class, Gear of the Year is the coveted stamp of approval for outdoor products.

“We debuted Gore-Tex Surround in our hiking line two years ago in models that were all synthetic and they were very successful,” said Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. “However, the meat of the hiking boot market here in the US is still leather boots under $200. With that in mind, we developed the Nucleo to hit that part of the market and we’re delighted that Outside recognized how effective this product is for that segment. Via our retail partner, REI, hikers now have a stable leather boot that breathes exceptionally well.”

The Nucleo High GTX is a light and fast high-cut hiking boot with durable leather uppers and Gore-Tex Surround® for the best breathability in a waterproof boot. Nubuck leather uppers provide protection while Nano Cell™ inserts deliver maximum breathability by working with the Gore-Tex membrane to drive moisture away from the bottom of the foot. The STB control system™ in the boot’s upper wraps the midsole in the medial zone increasing torsion resistance and providing a comfortable, snug fitting, and stable boot. A Vibram® Nano sole with La Sportiva’s Impact Brake System provides traction and grip.

According to Jakob Schiller, who led the hiking footwear test for Outside, “We see a lot of specialty boots, which each have their place, but we loved the Nucleo because it's the perfect all-arounder. If you want one boot to do everything this summer, look here.”

The Nucleo is sold exclusively at REI stores and at REI.com throughout 2017. The complete list of Outside’s Gear of the Year winners are announced today in the magazine’s spring Buyer’s Guide.