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Kayland M11+

rated 5 of 5 stars

The M11+ has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best mountaineering boots for 2024.

photo: Kayland M11+ mountaineering boot

Five stars! Bought them a year or so ago. I think one should write a review after you have been out there. Sometime I read reviews of over excited gear junks that come home and get their new stuff out of the box and tell that it is great.

Anyways… what to comment on? Fit? Fit on the foot? Ease of walking? Fit and crampon? Stiffness? Climbing performance? Weight? Waterproof? Durability?

How critical can you be about boots, since every one’s last is different. They fit me as a glove.

This is a serious boot for the real stuff. Intended use: ice, mixed and winter climbing and high alpine summer climbing, mountaineering.

Although there is a little curve in the sole they are pretty stiff for walking, but I find that on the walk in you can adjust the laces pretty easy due to a snap system on the instep of the shoe. The lace system is in fact quite conservative,; so it works and is reliably. It works really well and makes walking comfortable.

They are waterproof. I didn’t notice any built-up of moisture. e-vent works well in different temperatures. I use Rohner liner socks in combination with Smart Wool.

The gaiter keeps snow out. I tuck them inside my trousers, hard shell or soft shell. (I keep the trousers down by using a bungee cord under the shoe.) The gaiters are elastic/stretchy and are not intended to give support climbing steep ice. Small but they work really well.

The laces are easy to adjust and give a lot of support to climb really steep stuff. The fit of crampons is for Grivel G20 perfect. Also hardly any built up. Even Rambo’s do fit as well as the mountaineering crampons G12 (I think?).

They are well insulated so your feet don’t get to cold on those belays where you have to wait for hours. But the “dexterity” is so to speak still there for mixed climbing.  They don’t get wet that easy as said and they dry quite well.

Weight wise they are much lighter then say La Sportiva Battura’s. The only wear I notice so far is that the reflective paint comes of the gaiter. They are not built to last forever; they are made first of all to climb steep stuff.

A really nice, comfortable boot for not too much money. Recommended with five (5) stars. 

Price Paid: € 300

Figures I find what is the best boot I've owned and can't find a full line Kayland seller anywhere.

Right out of the box these are soooo...comfortable. They walk smoothly up and down hills and the rocker makes a true mountaineering boot on flat surfaces move with ease.

Pros

  • Comfortable out of the box.
  • Warm....very!!!

Cons

  • Can't find 'em anymore. I think Kayland has been bought out and can't really find any of their stuff much in this country.

I would wear these all year with a different insole (the Primaloft one is overkill even for the 20 degree weather I've hiked in).

I have a pair of Vasque H2's that with the same sock combo makes for cold feet when in the 20s and 6" of snow. I also have a pair of Kenetrek Grizzlies that trust me are warm, but clunky at best and do not have the rigid support that the M11+s have.

I love the lace lock that allows a tight fit around the foot and loose fit around the ankle or visa versa.

I wear an 8.5 US in about everything and got these in a 9 and can easily wear a thin liner and a heavier wool sock.

Kayland appears to be a great company that puts together a quality product.

Awesome boots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: below retail...c'mon who pays retail anymore?

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Specs

Men's
Price Historic Range: $263.97-$439.95
Women's
Price Historic Range: $175.98-$439.95

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