We have entered a new age of alpinism where fast and light, done-in-a-day pursuits are now the norm. To meet the needs of this new breed of climber, our gear has had to quickly evolve as well. Part trail runner, part technical alpine boot, the new Ribelle Tech OD alpine boot from Scarpa sees you through from the valley floor all the way to the top of the mountain, without the need to ever change your footwear.
To much fanfare, the Ribelle (or Rebel in english) Tech OD won product of the year at ISPO last week. Given that it was designed together with Ueli Steck and Hervé Barmasse, you can see why.
The lower section of the boot delivers the performance required for more technical alpine climbing. The sole is stiff enough for moderate grades and is semi-automatic crampon compatible. A Vibram outsole provides plenty of grip over varied terrain.
The top of the boot delivers the comfort and lightness of a trail running shoe thanks to the built-in gaiter with a sock-like fit construction. A waterproof cover secures over the speed lacing system to keep out water, snow, and debris.
This dual construction not only makes the boots more comfortable to wear lower down on the mountain, but also makes them super light at only 500 grams. Fully lined with OutDry technology, the Ribelle Tech OD is both waterproof and breathable.
The Ribelle Tech OD will actually start shipping in July — just in time for the summer alpine season. The alpine boots will retail for 399 euros. As they can be used for everything from hiking and via ferrata to mountaineering, they could become your one all-round boot for any mountain adventure.