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Which Mountain Boots? 23-Oct-2008 At 4:12:58 PM GoUp!

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Bit of a tuff topic this one but my two cents worth includes:
If your doing a course are you sure your going to go launching on technical mixed terrain this season? Plenty of examples exist of Aussies getting the chop by not understanding how to survive in the hills and by being too ambitous with limited experience. Doesn't NZ technical stuff start kicking in around Gr 4 - thats starting to get pretty exciting in the hills! Plus heaps of the rock over there aint that flash - there are some modern alpine rock routes but in my opinion you'd be better off doing them in rock boots. I know of some exceptions but most don't seem to have the experience, balls, committment, stupidity etc for that caper for at least a few seasons - I may be a soft nancy though.......but I'm still alive too!
Anyway, regardless.............
Boots with a camber are great for long approaches.
Double boots (eg plastics) have there upside as you can dry the inners (well, at least keep them from freezing) in a sleeping bag (guys have lost bits of toes etc when stuck in storms even in summer). They can feel clunky though esp of rock. But can be a lot cheaper too. Also can feel a bit warmer and more protective whilst wading through snot on return from the objective.
Single boots are also an option and there are some really great looking ones out there like the La Sportive Nepal Extremes. I reckon they would be the bizz if you were doing 1 to 2 day trips from a comfortable base like in the Euro alps etc where you have shorter approaches, better rock, and less chance of being stuck out for a few nights in a row. Comfortable and probably great for walking distances in on slopes. Perhaps not as warm and harder to dry? Maybe i'm too oldskool but I do have an attachment to my toes.
Whatever you do, I reckon get a quality footbed to make them more comfortable and do some preparatory walks and bouldering in them - getting used to how they go whilst in the hills can be a recipe for disaster. Consider sizing them generously I know my foot seems to expand a bit after hours of plodding with a heavy pack.

Failing all of the above - I'm sure the course provider rents some out - nothing like trying before you buy.