La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Sustainability Report

This boot uses high-quality nubuck leather with some mesh venting for breathability. The Vibram outsole is sticky and durable, while the leather upper, when maintained, resists abrasion well. Expect solid longevity with softening leather over time.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The La Sportiva Nucleo II High GTX’s insoles contain 15% recycled foam and 5% recycled rubber. Additionally, the boot’s laces are made of 100% recycled polyester. In 2024, 80% of La Sportiva’s synthetic apparel was made with at least 85% recycled fabric (up from 75% in 2023). Additionally, La Sportiva exclusively uses recycled down fill, and all of its recycled materials are certified to the Global Recycled Standard to ensure traceability.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

The durable water-repellent (DWR) coating on the Nucleo is PFAS free. La Sportiva has phased out intentionally added PFAS from the majority of its products, but as of 2026, some high-performance mountaineering equipment still contains forever chemicals. Products containing PFAS are clearly labeled with a warning from La Sportiva, and the brand plans to complete its phase-out by 2027.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The Gore-Tex waterproof membrane on the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX is PFAS free. La Sportiva has phased out intentionally added PFAS from the majority of its products, but as of 2026, some high-performance mountaineering equipment still contains forever chemicals. Products containing PFAS are clearly labeled with a warning from La Sportiva, and the brand plans to complete its phase-out by 2027.

The membranes of certain waterproof products, including rain jackets, ski jackets, ski bibs, hardshells, and hiking footwear, commonly contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The material used in the Nucleo complies with Leather Working Group (LWG) standards. All La Sportiva leather is certified to Leather Working Group standards, but the brand does not disclose which certification tier its suppliers meet.

Companies typically source responsible leather from suppliers that meet the Leather Working Group Standards (LWG). LWG is a third-party non-profit organization that assesses the environmental impact of leather manufacturers and ensures compliance with its standards. This includes assessing water and energy use, waste and chemical management, air and noise emissions, traceability, health and safety, and the use of restricted substances. The LWG also gives tanneries ratings (bronze, silver, and gold), which we take into account when making our ratings.

There are no Bluesign-approved materials in the Nucleo. La Sportiva has been a Bluesign System Partner since 2012, and it began using Bluesign-approved materials in its products in 2014. In summer 2025, it used 40% Bluesign-approved materials (down from 55% in 2023).

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 30% Bluesign-approved accessories.

Approximately 60% of La Sportiva North America’s products are manufactured at its Italian factories, with over 80% of climbing shoes, 60% of mountaineering boots, and all ski mountaineering boots made in Italy. As a result, the brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria. Products made in Europe are subject to strict labor and environmental regulations and typically have a lower carbon footprint due to reduced transportation between global factories. Still, around 28% of La Sportiva products (primarily those outside the above product categories) are made in China, and 12% are made in Vietnam.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

All La Sportiva footwear boxes are Forest Stewardship Council-certified. The Forest Stewardship Council ensures that wood and paper products are sourced from responsibly managed forests that protect forest ecosystems, reduce climate impacts, minimize chemical use, and support worker welfare and indigenous rights. Around 95% of these boxes are made from recycled content. Additionally, La Sportiva’s poly bags are made from recycled plastic. We were unable to confirm what other packaging materials the brand uses.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

La Sportiva does not offer resale or recycling services.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

La Sportiva has been certified to The Climate Label (formerly Climate Neutral) since 2023, meaning it works to reduce its emissions while funding greenhouse gas reduction projects (such as renewable energy production). The brand aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and its Scope 3 emissions by 51% per million dollars of revenue by 2030, compared to its 2022 baseline. Its targets are not verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative, but by 2024 (the most recent available data), the brand had significantly reduced its emissions compared to its 2022 baseline.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

La Sportiva has published an annual impact report outlining its sustainability progress since 2016. The report provides emissions-tracking data and information about recycled and responsible material use, but it lacks details on PFAS across La Sportiva’s product lines. Compared to similar reports, it is relatively comprehensive, but less detailed than the best we’ve read. As of 2026, the brand’s most recent report details its 2024 data.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.