Fabiano Manta

Review Date
November 29, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: DAVID(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Summary:
This boot sells under the SCARPA name in Australia, we've never heard of Fabiano. Bought a pair of the new type of Mantas about a month ago. They apear well made and are VERY stiff compared with my old Vasque Sundowners. The toe is a narrower fit to the Sundowners. The leather is now a "reversed Crosta leather" which is treated as nubuck but is a full grain silicon tanned leather that is turned inside out to save the waterproof outer hide being damaged. Seems like a nice theory, lets see how it works! You can us a wax finish for max waterproofing but this will change the appearance. The cut is quite high, but not quite high enough for military trouser blousing. The achilles area is different from the old Manta in that it dips down to the rear not up like before. Different colours are also available. The footbed is not the best but is probably pretty tough - these aint slippers by a long shot anyway. Cambrelle lining with a soft leather area under the toungue (which is padded). Crampons won't be being used much in our up-to-115+ summer but they might look mean anyway and can be fitted! This means the toe area is rather high in the sole and can trip you up when first worn.
The special speed laces and hooks system looks pretty tough but I guess like all things with moving parts, they might fail if not looked after (cleaned etc.
The ankle is very well protected against twisting, some people, especialy lighter persons, may find this and the whole boot too stiff and hard to break in, however I'm heavy enough to just flex the soles (approx 95 Kilos) and they are just breaking in well now after a month, however I do have weird shaped feet with a large forefoot and skinny ankle. The lacings are wide apart and allow a large amount of room to be taken up.
All around a good "serious" boot, with a bit of pain in the breaking in. No blisters as they are a tight fit on myself.
Not a Gore-Tex lining.
Being involved with Army cadets I got 15% off the retail price so my value rating is, of course, better than normal.

Similar Products Used:
Vasque Sundowners, when they were made in Italy. These were a lot easier on the feet for casual trekking, but ankle support was not comparible. If you want an all round boot, or are lightly built, get something more flexible than the Mantas.

Review Date
August 29, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Gareth WIlliams(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Baltimore, MD

Summary:
Used to sell these a few years back, and always drooled over them. I bought a pair a year ago, and love them. They protected my ankles even while scrambling with 50lbs in my pack, and have broken in wonerfully. They only gave me one blister during the whole break-in period, and even that was because I was stupid and did not stop to put on moleskin. I've used them on and off trails, and with heavy packs and day packs, and have no complaints. They are on the expensive side, but the finish, quality, and durability of these boots more than offsets the extra money. I expect these will last years.

Customer Service:
When I worked at the store, Scarpa/Fabiano was never a problem to deal with. Have not had a reason to contact them as a customer yet.

Similar Products Used:
Montrail, La Sportiva, Asolo

Review Date
April 17, 2000

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: Bill(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Upstate NY

Summary:
These are high quality leather boots with a fairly
stiff sole and crampon notch.. I have been breaking them in for the past 6 months, and I still get heel blisters even with Superfeet insoles. The boots are too cold for winter use, and too stiff for normal hiking.
Wish I could have returned them.

Similar Products Used:
None