New Salewa Rapace boots review
Having reviewed and killed my old style Salewa Rapace boots I contacted Salewa directly and they agreed that the damage wasn't ideal. This lead to some rather prompt service and a shiny new pair of the new model appearing at my house. I've had them on my feet on and off over the summer and here's my thoughts...
Whats Good?
Wow! Out of the box these are a good looking boot. They look a bit odd in photos and I had been a little concerned when Salewa told me to expect the new version. However they certainly looked the part when I first stuck them on. The bright red works a lot better in real life too. My inner gear geek was impressed and they have had similarly positive responses to the previous pair.
There are decent features too such as a lacing system that goes right down to the toe. This gives easy tightening and lends a precise feel on steep ground. Like the predecessor the new Rapace takes a semiautomatic crampon. A narrow fit and decent level of rubber around the toe lends the boot the ability to get kicked and wedged into places similar boots may fail. Along with a decent sole these points allow you to be pretty precise though. The new version is more nimble and comfier to walk in than its predecessor, which is no mean feat.
I still dispute how useful a "climbing zone" and the wire 3F system are, but hey; to some these may be more than a fad. What isn't is the clever insole that comes with the boots. It is customisable to fit different foot types and rather comfy as well as simple to use! You simply add or remove bits of it dependent on the amount of support you require. The parts are held in place by simple velcro tabs. Admittedly I later changed mine to a pair of Superfeet, but I had no issue with the stock pair: they are far better than the competition.
What's Bad?
Unfortunately the lacing system from the old Rapace seems to be the only thing that remains! It still looks flimsy for a boot designed for rock and the laces remain very slim. I worry about the longevity of both. Having said that mine have taken some wearing this summer and so far so good. It may be that my old pair are the odd ones out!
The new Rapace feels more flexible than the old pair I own. Although they take a semiautomatic crampon they are not massively confidence inspiring. On flat snow thats fine, but on steeper stuff or angled glacial ice you end up craving the sure footedness of a stiffer boot. Similarly this flexibility that lends itself to comfy walk-ins is also offsets the toe features that make it as good as it is for edging. Having said that we're talking two steps forward, one back: they are still a step up on the predecessor for comfort and climbing. The only loss in ground for me is on the white stuff.
Quality
So far the quality seems good and the boot is well thought out. The only damage I would not expect is a small gash to the inner side of boot. I don't remember doing this but it was significant enough to cut through the rubber and part of the leather. I'm guessing it was a stray sharp rock on scree as the boots hadn't met a via ferrata even by this point. The plastics and rubber otherwise seem solid. As previously suggested I have concerns about the lacing system and laces themselves, but this set have held up so far.
Alternatives
Since writing my review of the old Rapaces earlier this year there are few alternatives that I would add to the list. I have been impressed by the pair of Salomon S-Lab X Alp Carbon GTX though while in the french Alps. For a niche use these look great.
The verdict
Great boots for rough walking, easy alpine climbing and via ferrata. They're better than the boots they replace and would serve well as the "one boot to go anywhere" some people look for. They're comfy, light and feel robust. If you're in the market for a different boot to everyone else then these may be the inexpensive option you're searching for. Worth a go.
Old Salewa Rapace update:
Thanks to Salewa I didn't have to send my old pair anywhere so I figured I'd get them repaired. Thanks to the guys at Dickinson Shoe Services here in Newcastle I have a pair of shiny Scarpa lace tethers on my boots for < £10. Not bad!