User Review: La Sportiva Makalu

La Sportiva Makalu
Above: The current Makalu, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed August 6, 1998 by James

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Materials: leather
Use: Light Mountaineering
Break-in Period: 3 months & still going
Weight: 4 1/2 lbs or so
Price Paid: $235

I had a pair of Solomons that didn't stand up to two years of climbing thru Montana talus fields. The soles held up fine but the leather uppers wore thru on the outer sides, so I decided it was time to upgrade to a boot w/thicker leather. My makalus are a well made boot but I think that they are going to break me in before the damn boots are broken in. I still get blisters on my heels (I must admit that my heels have always been blister prone) and I get foot sore on the return trip from any day hike (5-16 miles).

That said, I believe these boots will last me a long time. I live in Montana & try to go for summits when I hike. (mostly in the Bitterroots). My first trip in the boots was a scramble up Trapper Peak ( 10,000+) and the boots performed great on the snow feilds & talus slopes & wet boulders. We were bushwacking up to the heavenly twins on a subsequent hike and got stuck in some impenetrable undergrowth & blow down, our only option was a 2 mile hike down thru the creek to get back to the main trail. The boots held up beautifully even though I don't believe the manufacturer intended them to be used that way.

One last note: I've tried moleskin, ducttape, sock liners but still my heels are chewed up after 5 or 6 miles. The fit

was correct in the store & my heel is in tight with the great lacing system but still damn blisters!!! Oh yea, one other thing: Expect to initially feel a little clumbsy in these boots if you are used to hiking in lighter backpacking hiking boots these boots are heavy & the sole is very stiff but I guess that is the price u pay for support &

durability.

Where to Buy

Buy Online We found the Makalu at 2 online stores:

StoreProduct DescriptionPrice

Moosejaw
2 purchase options:		Women's Makalu Boot (Spring 2008)$255.00Buy Now
Men's Makalu Boot (Spring 2008)$270.00Buy Now

Backcountry.com
2 purchase options:		Makalu Mountaineering Boot - Men's$269.95Buy Now
Makalu Mountaineering Boot - Women's$269.95Buy Now

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