The Charmoz are an entry level boot in Scarpa's Technical Mountain boot category. As a mid-range manufacturer that makes this the Charmoz a entry level to mid-range mountaineering boot. Within their technical mountaineering category there are a few other options offering lighter weight materials and some with a more technical toe welt in addition to the heel welt found on all their mountaineering boots. Scarpa also has a standard Mountaineering category which offers a couple selections that sit between their Technical Mountain category and heavy backpacking boots.
I bought my Scarpa Charmoz from MEC in Calgary. I tried on every pair of mountaineering boots they offer short of plastic. Probably around a dozen different pairs ranging from entry level boots like Scarpa Escape up to the super technical and rigid La Sportiva Nepal Evo. None of them felt great. It took more than one visit for me to settle on the Charmoz but they definitely felt the best on my feet.
The Charmoz left my feet sore and blistered after the first two trips. First a hike and then a 11,000 mountaineering object paired with crampons. I was about to give up on them and return them but elected to give them one more shot on a scramble. My feet emerged from the third trip unscathed and have since become my go to footwear for any trips with technical fourth class scrambling and simple fifth class climbing.
These boots really shine in situations that involve scrambling. Foot placement is extremely precise for a boot of this bulk and the soles are very grippy. I've used them to climb a 5.9 crack in quartzite and plenty of granite slabs. The soles smear and stick to tiny lips nearly as well as a rock shoe.
Even with little to compare to, I'd recommend these boots to anyone that likes the way they feel in the store.
The Charmoz left my feet sore and blistered after the first two trips. First a hike and then a 11,000 mountaineering object paired with crampons. I was about to give up on them and return them but elected to give them one more shot on a scramble. My feet emerged from the third trip unscathed and have since become my go to footwear for any trips with technical fourth class scrambling and simple fifth class climbing.
These boots really shine in situations that involve scrambling. Foot placement is extremely precise for a boot of this bulk and the soles are very grippy. I've used them to climb a 5.9 crack in quartzite and plenty of granite slabs. The soles smear and stick to tiny lips nearly as well as a rock shoe.
Even with little to compare to, I'd recommend these boots to anyone that likes the way they feel in the store.
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