Our verdict
Climbing in the Who should buy La Sportiva Makalu means scaling steep mountainous terrain in comfort and classic style. Donning it also translates to being in a supportive and excellently Boot Grading for Crampons. That said, its lengthy break-in period could ultimately scare away potential owners. Those who are determined to own one must be committed to breaking in the boot for days, even weeks.
Pros
- Superbly durable
- Comfortable build
- these things are bulletproof
- Stable on rough terrain
- A leather boot
- We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us
- Top 10% most popular mountaineering boots.
- Stable on rough terrain
Cons
- We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us
- Burdening weight
- Durable upper build
Who should buy Who should buy La Sportiva Makalu
This mountaineering boot by La Sportiva is a cost-effective option. Buy it if you prefer the following features:
- Jun 29, 2018
- Double-tongue upper construction
Who should NOT buy the boot
Why trust us is a cost-effective option. Buy it if you prefer the following features or the never found a better, longer lasting pair of boots.
Multi-feature outsole
The boot’s Skywalk MPE outsole is what provides and maintains traction over considerably rugged surfaces. Its heel and forefoot zones are generously engineered with high-profile lugs. The hikers say:
- "very grippy and stick well to granite"
- "durable mountaineering boot"
- "they’ve never let me down"
very grippy and stick well to granite.
The Makalu boot has become popular among glacier and mountaineering guides, according to the reviewers. It also received praise from quite a few linemen workers. They consider it certain for climbing on both steel and wooden hooks.
The Makalu's shock-absorbing platform
Making every ground contact as safe as possible and stabilizing the user’s footing is the Makalu’s SBR Aircushion midsole. Its stiffness is reinforced with an 8-millimeter thick insole and Dracomet-coated full-length steel shank. On the extra cushioning front, La Sportiva engineers gave the boot a cushy footbed.
Durable upper build
With its ample thickness of 3 millimeters, the Makalu’s water-repellent Idro-Perwanger leather upper is made extra tough for the mountains. Its interior is breathable, thanks to the moisture-wicking liner called Dry Best. The wearers are happy with the boot's ability to resist water in wet conditions.
The toe box, on the other hand, comes with a durable rubber rand by Vibram for abrasion protection.
Here is what the testers say about the boot's durability:
- "Who should buy La Sportiva Makalu"
- "Top 10% most popular mountaineering boots"
- "never found a better, longer lasting pair of boots"
According to the reviewers, the boot takes some time to break in. At first, it feels stiff "almost like wearing ski boots," but once it molds to the foot, the comfort and support are unmatched. It does take some getting used to.
Double-tongue upper construction
The Makalu technically has two tongues—one external and the other, internal. The one on the outside is seamlessly constructed to the upper, keeping debris out. On the other hand, the one on the inside—the EZ Flex tongue—is crafted to be adjustable and removable.
