User Review: Scarpa Super Manta M4

Reviewed April 12, 2001 by Jerry S.

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Materials: Leather Heavy Duty Mountaineering Boot
Use: Mountaineering
Break-in Period: Fifty Miles (give or take)
Weight: 4.2 lbs.
Price Paid: $239

I purchased these boots back in December after waiting for the new updated model to arrive at the local mountaineering shops. Being that I have been climbing with older Italian classic boots such as Pivetta 8's and Galibier SG's, I didn't know how I would like the new types of boots.

Know what? I absolutely love the new M-4's a whole lot! In the past, I have suffered with vicious heel blisters while breaking in new pairs of mountaineering boots. With the Scarpas, the break-in period hasn't been too much of a problem at all. Granted, I am using state of the art Smartwool Liners coupled with Bridgedale Trekker socks. Nevertheless, after four months and approximately 200 miles, I can easily go five to ten miles without any blisters at all. I have a slight rough spot on the top of my ankles, even with the generous padding. I believe that one of the lacing grommets is rubbing me a bit there. I'm hoping that as the uppers further break in, this slight discomfort will go away.

All in all, these Scarpas are everything I had hoped for in a boot. The boot securely cradles my feet and they feel totally protected. One optional accessory that I added was the SofSole Athlete's Cushioning insole and these make my feet feel fine as well. There's enough room in the boot for this cushy insole and I removed the standard Scarpa insole and put this into my recently resoled pair of Pivetta 8's. I'll be taking the Scarpas for some spring climbing with crampons soon as from what I've heard, the Scarpas perform equally flawlessly with step in crampons. The M-4's are definitely recommended for people who want a stiffer boot without paying the price of the usual harshness of a stiff boot.

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