These boots rock! They are really sweet for kicking steps in steep snow fields and they keep you dry even after slushing through a diecent amount of snow slush or puddles! If you over do it with the snow seal though you feet get wet from your sweet. But thats you not the boot! Climbing steep terian tends to wear away your heel. I have put probably 300-400 miles on these boots and the tread holds up good! You can have these boots resoled for about 50 dollars too! They are expensive but you deffinitly get what you pay for! These are boots you will have for a VERY long time! I love mine. If you plan on doing mid winter backpacking in cold temperatures make sure you have good curculation in your feet. Like ant leather boot the leather freezes solid over night. Only a good solid hour of hiking is goin to get them warm again after a sub zero night!

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ASOLO's tread bytes it! It wears down fast and costs way more to have resoled!

I have to agree with Doug below. These boots are bombproof and they take forever to break in. I bought these because I was tired of buying a pair every two years and I needed more support for my ankles. I went backpacking right before school started and made hamburger out of my feet but I have seen people with these boots and they say once you break them in you will love them. I know I will never buy another pair because these will last forever.

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One Sport lightweight boots and Asolo AFX550

Quality boots. These went from the box to Cascade Canyon for a 2 night trek behind the Grand Teton. No problems. Like all boots they must feel good at the store, however, if you like them inside just wait till you hit the mountains. The boot fit works well with a pair of Smartswool and liners. The shank is stiff, however, still friendly enough for day hikes. I like these boots so much I bought a pair of Makalu Hikes. The M-Hike is the same upper with a softer flex. Thumbs up LaSportiva!

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The LaSportiva Makalu is specifically desinged for the environment of the mountain, not the approach to the mountain. If you break this rule with these boots, you will pay the price with the worst blisters that you can picture on your heels. They are made stiff because that helps with crampon placement. If you use these for what they are intended for, they will perform perfectly. If your looking for a boot that is rugged and well made this is one to consider. I warn you, however that if you have a long approach to the mountain, dont start out with these boots, use one of LaSportiva's approach shoes (like the boulder) they are light and flexible enuff for two week approaches to the climb. Remember, no one boot is universal, meaning you need a specific boot for what you are doing, moreover, the Makalu is your choice for the mountain environment only. As you read the other entries, notice they all talk aboit breaking the boot in, look, these boots are made to be stiff and stay stiff, if you walk with them and try to break them in, that will make them flexible, but they will then not function well with crampons!!! ( assuming you are in serious terrain ).

Customer Service

LaSportiva is a very patient company, they will give you advice and guide you with making decisions, I had no problem dealing with them. Thye are aware of the quality of their product.

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I like to use my LaSportive Boulder approach shoes and carry my Maks on my pack, when I arrive at the climb, I am blister free. The boulders are light and flexible. Also I like LaSportiva's Tibet GTX for backpacking, however with heavy loads I use the Makalu Hiker type or my Danner Ranier Welt boots. I never , never ,never us one boot for everything, and my feet thank me for it.

Tough, tough, tough. Break in was not too bad, but definately needed (as with any good, stiff soled leather mtn. boot). These boots have done snow, mud, rock, water and moderate cold (upper 20's) and I've never had a problem with them. Dry, warm and good fitting. I'm just dissapointed that I've outgrown them, but at least I get to try the LaSportive Karakoram GTX now! They may seem a bit expensive to some at first look - but considering you won't have to replace them unless you outgrow them, it's worth it.

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Scarpa

Bought a pair of Makalu's in '96 and after some argument between foot and boot the boot finally gave way and they are great friends ever since.. The moderate break in period is to be expected of a boot that could very well last a life time. Postholing was a fine way to break them in, in the same sense that the best way to see if you like to run is to challenge an Ultra-Marathon, I use Ultimax socks exclusively and have had no worries with blisters. I have really enjoyed these boots carrying heavy packs in the Alaska Range and down south in the North Cascades. As to who should use these boots I would say anyone who does backcountry travel where there is no established trail and you are forced to carry heavy loads.They would be overkill on established trails with lighter loads. Also they work well with crampons although the toes were beginning to wear down from many steep ascents in shale/scree. A great stout leather boot in the tradition of great stout things like say Guiness which I also happen to really enjoy ;-)

Customer Service

Ended up breaking the shank in the left boot this summer, don't ask how... E-mailed LaSportiva in Boulder and their customer service guy was surprised and somewhat amused. He replied the next day and advised me to send them in for a look see. In a couple weeks he wrote again to say that they were sending a new pair from Italy and I should have them in a couple months...good thing it's winter and I don't need them now eh... Overall he was very helpful and they are sending NEW Boots so I get to break them in again, Oh Happy Day!!!

: I bought a pair of Makalus in Boulder in 94 and played snow football that night and got nary a blister! They are watertight (using Biwell cream), scuff proof, solid soles, excellent ankle support, crampon compatible with excellent grooves, low profile for a mountaineering boot and light enough to backpack in! I love mine! Perfect for light alpine climbing or summer snowfields

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Vasque Sundowners - too narrow and cuff cut my achilles tendon (but they Do come in widths and the cuff has since been redesigned - way waterproof!) Asolo Meridians - Light comfy, supportive, not too sealable. Lowa Civettas - very warm and pretty light, low profile, decent ankle flex but French technique is still tough in plastics!

The Makalu is the best leather mountaineering boot I've owned so far. the fit is superb with the smoothest break-in period I've ever experienced, no blisters or discomfort...amazing! My first real outing with them involved a steep snow and eventual ice climb with BD Switchblade crampons, no problems in a true mountaineering environment. although I do get a bit of flex with them, they are perfectly at home with a rigid crampon even on steep ice in moderate temperature conditions. I won't expect them to keep my feet warm in full winter conditions, but they do stay surprisingly dry when other leather boots wet out. This is a fine leather mountaineering boot with comfort and fit that exceed expectation.

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These boots are awsome!! After breaking them in, I have to say that these are the best boots I have ever owned. I had a pair of Raichle spirits and La Sportiva Pacific Crest Trails before and these are far superior in that they are stiffer, offer more support and are far more water resistant, even when it was raining at Shasta!!

Customer Service

As far as the customer service, I had problems with my Pacific Crest Trail boots. I called and emailed but they never responded. Maybe they think that their product is so good that they don't need a customer service dept.? Anyway, these boots are awsome and will serve you well, buy them.

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These boots are great, extremely waterproof. The lacing system prevents my toes from smashing into the front and keeps them snug against the back. Have a bit of a problem with the left boot pressing against the top of my toes when they bend. I'm still breaking them in and hopefully it will go away.

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