La Sportiva G2 SM Initial Review
The G2 SM is a newer (and 200g lighter) double boot option compared to La Sportiva's other offerings (the Spantik and Baruntse).
As for sizing, I wear a 42.5 in the Trango Cube GTX and chose the same size for the G2. The sizing is spot-on - there's plenty of room in the boot for a thick sock and toe-bang shouldn't be an issue.
Quoted weight for the G2 is 1024 g. I measured the following:
G2 SM left shell: 944 g
G2 SM right shell: 941 g
G2 SM left liner: 109 g
G2 SM right liner: 106 g
Left total: 1053 g
Right total: 1047 g
I think the quoted weight is for a size 42, so about 25 g more per boot for a size 42.5.
The outer shell has an integrated gaiter composed of an elastic Cordura and a waterproof zipper with velcro flap closure over it. There's a drawcord around the very top of the boot to tighten up the gaiter to one's leg.
The boot itself has a dual Boa closure, consisting of a Boa knob for tightening the boot below the ankle and another knob for tightening the boot above the ankle.
One concern is the Boa knob on the side of the shell getting knocked into rough surfaces and breaking or abrading the yellow elastic Cordura. Time will tell.
The liner is very light, consisting of separate velcro closures for below and above the ankle. It's a pretty simple, very light, insulating foam liner. The bottom of the outside of the liner has a very rough, almost sandpaper like coating on it to grip the interior of the boot.
I fit two different crampons to the boot (fully-automatic Black Diamond Serac and semi-automatic Petzl Sarken). Both crampons fit sercurely with no slop or movement.
I only wore the G2s around my house, going up and down the stairs. It has a stiff sole and ankle articulation has good range. I was in a warm house (not ideal conditions, obviously), and the G2 was quite warm, I had to take it off after a few minutes.
I'll use this boot for winter mountaineering in the Sierras, I'll try it out ice climbing, and hopefully Rainier, Denali, and some 6-7000 meter peaks. Futher reviews coming.
Outer shell and inner liner
Wearing the liner
Inside the shell is a perforated liner with thermo-reflective aluminum for warmth. There were two glue spots on the yellow footbed on each boot, one at the heel and another at near the toes, presumably from constructing the midsole. This was easy to peel off.
Inside the shell
It's very easy to get the liner into the shell (when it's on your foot).
Liner in the shell with Boas tightened
Fully zipped up, drawcord around the very top of the boot tightened
Pointing out where the Boa knobs are when the boot is fully zipped up
Showing the sole on a level surface. Note the very thin arch.
Inner liner compared to the Dynafit DyNA PDG liner in size 27. The G2 liner is a bit smaller.
PDG liner is 146 g with the footbed included. G2 liner is 109 g.
Showing the size difference between shells for the G2 and Dynafit PDG (size 27). G2 is a much larger boot. The PDG is a very small, low volume ski boot compared to most.
Side view comparison
Top view comparison
Front view comparison with Trango Cube GTX. Both boots are size 42.5
Top view comparison
Side view comparison
Comparison of all three boots
Sole length comparison of PDG and Trango Cube
Sole length comparison of PDG and G2
G2 with Black Diamond Serac crampon fitted, side view
G2 with Black Diamond Serac crampon fitted, front view
G2 with Petzl Sarken crampon fitted, side view
G2 with Petzl Sarken crampon fitted, front view
G2 with Petzl Sarken crampon fitted, inside view
G2 with Petzl Sarken crampon fitted, top view
