Go Light, Tread Hard: Crispi Lapponia III Hunting Boots Review

It never fails to snow a solid 8 inches the night before my first day of turkey hunting in Colorado. As usual, 2025 delivered a heavy blanket of snow to my turkey camp, not the conditions I’d expected for testing the uninsulated, lightweight Crispi Lapponia III hunting boot.

But there I was, awake in the dark at the tail end of a spring blizzard, taking my first steps into the rolling ponderosa forest, 8 inches of fresh snow on the ground. I kicked some steps into a steep hillside, feet biting hard into the partially frozen soil. The boots on my feet were brand new, but with each step, my confidence grew.

By the end of a 2-day hunt, I could confirm that the Italian brand Crispi built one fine boot in the Lapponia III. I’d covered about five off-trail miles in 2 days, through heavy snow, mud, and ice-covered logs. I never once slipped, and my feet were happy as could be.

In short: The Lapponia III is one of Crispi’s lighter, more flexible boots. It aims at turkey, early-season elk, and upland game hunters who will cover off-trail miles with light packs. And for those fast, light hunts, it’s incredibly capable, especially with the newly added Vibram outsole. The flexible sole is more forgiving than some aggressive mountain hunting boots. The lightweight makes every step a little easier. It doesn’t provide as much support as heavier offerings, though, so keep that in mind if you carry very heavy packs.

Compare the Lapponia III reviewed here with the best hunting boots.

Crispi Lapponia III Hunting Boots

The Crispi Lapponia III was updated in 2024 as an evolution of the lightweight Lapponia line. With a flex rating of 2 out of 5 on Crispi’s stiffness scale, it’s one of the brand’s softer boots.

For those used to trail-oriented hiking boots, that does not mean soft. These are still very stiff compared with popular trail boots like the Salmon Quest. But for a serious hunting boot, they flex pretty easily.

And some flex can be a really nice thing, especially for hunts that do not require huge climbs or heavy backpacks. That was exactly my test scenario, with camp set right by my truck and just a light pack for day hunting.

The Lapponia III has a waterproof Nubuck leather upper. At 8 inches tall, it falls into the middle of the road for boots, but is a touch shorter than heavy-duty hunting boots. The upper has an asymmetrical lacing system that allows for really good customization of the fit.

I found this important, as I think the pair I tested was just a little large for me. I usually wear a 9.5 and felt that I could have possibly downsized to a 9, but I may be between sizes on this pair, and the 9.5 functioned well. I’d recommend getting these well in advance of use and possibly downsizing based on my experience and other user reviews.

It has a triple-stitched, polyurethane-coated leather rand around the lower portion of the boot to protect it from abrasion. It should add to longevity and, frankly, it makes them look pretty badass.

Under the ultralight dual-density EVA midsole sits what I found to be a star of this show, the Crispi x Vibram Megagrip outsole. This outsole is new to the Lapponia and was added after feedback from hunters who found the old sole wore out too fast. The Vibram outsole is extremely grippy and comfortable, and I would expect it to last a very long time given my experience with Vibram.

A Brief Test and Review (So Far)

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m still in the early testing stages of the Crispi Lapponia III. My Colorado spring turkey hunt consisted of one very active day of hunting in a steady snowfall, in which I covered a solid 5 miles or more. Then on the second day, I did a large hike on a ridge at dawn. Finally, I filled my tag over decoys on an afternoon sit.

During this hunt, I put the boots through what I’d consider a good break-in. I hiked snow, a lot of mud, and up and down some really steep ridges.

Mostly, I really liked these boots. The sole stiffness is ideal for this style of hunting. It’s stiff enough to claw into muddy hillsides and grip well onto slick, wet downfalls. But these boots are still pliable enough to walk easily on flatter terrain and not clomp loudly over rocks or trails. It’s a nice compromise that seems great for a lot of hunters.

With a heavy, wet snowfall before the first day of hunting, the boots proved to be waterproof and, while not insulated, warm enough to handle freezing temperatures. I wore the boots nonstop for the first day of hunting and only returned to the tent for a brief brunch midday. I covered a lot of miles looking for turkey tracks, and throughout the hiking, my feet were generally very happy.

My only concern was that of a slight heel slip that happened when I climbed steep hills. I noticed it immediately and was worried it could lead to blisters. An adjustment to lacing and my gait helped a lot, and by the second day, it was much less pronounced. It may have been part of the break-in process, or I may have slightly too large a boot. I’ll update this point after more testing.

Crispi Lapponia III Fit

I have a very average foot, and would say this boot should be a really good option for a lot of people. It seems to aim right down the middle in terms of width. And the asymmetrical, board-lasted design allows for a good degree of adjustability.

I do think the boot runs just a little large. I normally wear a 9.5, and the 9.5 I tested is just a little loose. It’s not even enough for me to send them back, but if I were to buy a new pair, I would probably try a half-size smaller and see how they fit. A lot of consumers also report these running large, so be advised that you may want to size down a half size.

Crispi Lapponia III: Who Should Buy Them

The Lapponia III reviewed here is, at first blush, a wonderful and versatile hunting boot. It’s relatively light, grippy, durable, and supportive enough for a lot of off-trail hiking with light loads. I’ve really enjoyed testing it so far, and will update this review in the fall once I’ve had more hunting days afield in them.

In the meantime, I think the Lapponia III will serve a lot of hunters well. Crispi and other brands offer many heavier, and a few lighter, hunting boots. Those who want a relatively light and flexible boot that’s still burly enough to cover big miles in mountains or off-trail terrain should consider the Lapponia III.