Scarpa Gea Boots

Scarpa has a wide range of boots—from the beefiest (and new) Maestrale XT, to the gossamer-light Alien and the  Scarpa F1. The Geas are part of a set-up including DPS Yvette Alchemist 100s and the Dynafit Speed Radical.

Everybody loves a little video, eh? Here’s a great overview from Scarpa on the Maestrale and Gea models. 

Side-view here. This highlights the Gea's Grilamid Evo V-Frame with Outdry (I think that's the metal mesh part). As well provide good stiffness and a little breathability, it also looks spiffy.

Here are the forward and backward views of the boot. We love the blue.

Here's the other side for you. Note the finger-pull loop on the powerstrap and the little RECCO reflector which might help searchers find you if you get buried in an avy.

Isn't it always the little things that count (unless there are too many of them)? Look at the sprung black "governor" mechanism which keeps the buckle in place. This is very handy on the uptrack and if you are looking to do a one-handed buckle up.

Check out the middle buckle here, below. It's a ratchet and part of the Heel Retention System (HRT). This kind of buckle appears on many Scarpa models and is a feature that many Scarpa owners love. It serves to keep your heel in the heel pocket for better control and comfort. 

Last-but-not-least, the forefoot buckle is called the Wave closure. It's actually a little like the Scarpa F1's program, but uses a buckle instead of a BOA. The Wave allows for simple buckling and lighter weight. Win, win. 

Here is the Speedlock Plus walk/ski lever. It's external so easier to maintain in the field. Our tester did comment that the bar/lever connection occasionally got clogged with snow going into ski mode. Just be sure to confirm you are in the right mode before dropping in. Try flexing the boot forward and back and listen for the little click. 

Dynafit certed toe and heel fittings, with Quickstep, are really the only way to go. Look for the plastic orange toe tab upon purchase to ensure your good to go. 

Vibram Cayman PRO soles are under it all. Soft enough to work on rock or at the brewpub.

Outsole: Vibram Cayman PRO (ISO 9523)
Shell: Pebax R-new
Cuff: Pebax R-new
Tongue: Pebax.

• Liner: Intuition Cross Fit Pro Flex G WMN
• Ski/Walk Mode: Speedlock Plus
• Closure: 3 Buckles + Finger Strap
• Recco-enabled powerstrap
• Binding System: TLT, AT
• Country of Origin: Italy
• Scuba Blue / Anthracite

For a woman who doesn’t need a  lot of power and enjoys a warm and comfy boot, the Gea is an excellent choice. Perhaps that is why it’s one of the top selling women’s AT boots today. Women’s specific features,  like a women’s last and less tall cuff accommodate women’s shape. The Recco-enabled powerstrap and new, sustainable plant-based shell material mean she can shred while feeling a little safer and more environmentally conscious at the same time.

The Scarpa Heel Retention Strap (HRT) serves to keep ones heel planted in the heel pocket, the buckles are easy to work with (especially the "wave closure system" across the forefoot). Because my partner is just starting down the AT road, our future fun together depends a lot on the gear helping her along the way. The Geas are comfortable, warm and pretty easy to get in and out of. This makes a big difference and helps ensure that the experience is fun and in no way painful.

Note that this ski is not for a woman who spends most of her time on-piste. For that kind of skier, you should look at the Scarpa GEA RS we talked about earlier. The "regular" Gea is for women who ski the occasional 1/2 day at the resort—but who's real fun is had in the back/slackcountry. It's tough to quantify, but I'd say a good ratio for the Gea would be 25% lift-serve, 75% touring. 

So, all in all, the Gea is a great AT boot. Minor things, like the tricky tongue and ski/walk mode lever freezing up occasionally, are details that just require a little vigilance and all will be good. The Gea's scuba blue colour works really well with the Ferrari red of my anniversary F1s on the uptrack too!