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76% of Fit Survey respondents said this shoe "Felt true to size"
87% of Fit Survey respondents said this shoe "Felt true to width"
67% of Fit Survey respondents said this shoe had "Moderate arch support"
Customer Rating/Review
La Sportiva Makalu
Number of reviews: 11
Average customer ratings:
Overall:
Comfort: Look:
2009-11-03 22:51:51 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Satisfied O from Wasatch Range, Utah
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Excellent arch support
These are the best boots I have ever owned. I had several pairs of leather boots before these and always got blisters and suffered general discomfort and soreness in my feet. I've hiked my Makalus in extreme weather and elevation and never, ever had a blister. Not even once. Amazing. I can hardly believe it myself. I love these boots and have had them for 8 years now. Outstanding comfort, protection, support, grip. They work great for snowshoeing and with a pair of gaiters are great for hiking through deep snow.
2009-08-02 08:59:20 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Jesse Baldwin from The Eastern Sierras
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
I love these boots. First pair lasted hundreds of miles of hiking off-trail and was also my primary work boot as a ski lift maintenance electrician. In my job, other boots lasted one year or less. These lasted three years and I used them as my primary backpacking shoe. They would have lasted longer if I only used them for hiking. Unfortunately, they finally succumbed to the tough steel edges at work that occasionally grabbed the heels. Stitching tore and finally blew out. The soles were still in pretty good shape, which was amazing given the harsh metal grating and boulder hopping I put them through. With both pairs, I had to play with the detachable tongues a lot to get the right feel. Cannot recommend them any more highly.
2009-01-01 15:06:38 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Anonymous from Minnesota
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Excellent arch support
Great - These boots are all around awesome. Warm, comfy, sturdy and pretty good looking too. I recommend these boots.
2008-12-08 09:21:12 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Mike D from British Columbia
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Good, solid boot - This is my third La Sportiva boot. I'm a fire crew leader so wear out a lot of boots (and feet). First was the Glacier, what a surprise! Comfortable, grippy but worn out after one season. Second was the Makalu. It should be tougher, and was: lasted two seasons. I'm replacing it with another pair. Plusses: comfortable, solid, good grip Minuses: fabric lace loops wear out (get a shoe repair place to rivet on metal loops), foot beds pound out quickly (so replace them) Overall: best boot for the job I've tried yet.
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: La Sportiva Glacier
2008-03-09 07:45:28 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Anonymous from San Marcos, Texas
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Take some time to break these in, and I definitely recommend getting a pair of custom "Superfeet" insoles with them - makes all the difference in the world. After a couple of weeks, they're almost as comfortable as work boots. It does take some time to get used to the overall stiffness, but that has saved me from what would have been ankle-busting falls on several occasions. My advice: go grab a pair as quick as you can, break them in, and get your lazy ass away from that television!
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: Salomon XA Pro - great for trail running.
2007-10-28 09:02:00 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Tommy D from Southern NV
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Good lasting boot! I've worn these boots for nine or ten years and really like them! They are heavy, but they protect your feet and offer great support. I bought them for hiking, but I ended up wearing them to work everyday because I walk at least ten miles a day. I had them resoled about four years ago and I am finally replacing them due to abuse more than anything. I will probably just buy another pair of these!
2006-06-25 09:33:46 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Joe R from Colorado
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
La Sportiva Makalu...a good massive boot - I spend several weeks of my summer fighting forest fires where we are required to have 8 inch high boots. I have always hated the typical high-heeled 'Whites' type boot with no ankle support. I bought the Makalu as it just meets the 8 inch high requirement. I also have high, rigid arches and heels that are rotated inward. So new boots are a frightening thing, with a long break-in period usually required. Well the Makalu felt great right out of the box and on short flat hikes. I have gotten in a 10 mile walk without a significant load and still no foot problems. These feel like great boots. They are heavy but repay you with great ankle support and a rigid sole that will support crampons. And they are nearly half the price of Whites! The insole insert is the typical useless piece of thin foam. Put in a good support like 'Superfeet.'
2006-06-20 14:58:20 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Chris from Denver
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt wider than marked
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Keep looking if you like long backpacking trips. I purchased my boots about 4 years ago. At that time the fit was perfect and I thought the boot was great, but it has changed over the years. I do long day hikes or 2-3 overnight trips in CO and MT with these boots. Until recently the sole began to fall off or break off. It is hard to describe. Almost a flaw in design. I don't feel that it is wear and tear, but La Sportiva warranty dept does. I paid about $260 dollars for these boots and would have expected a longer life from them. Although I use them for what they are intended for I am only a weekend warrior and can only get out maybe 5-7 times a season. Which could be a max of 28 hikes or a total of 280 miles, an average of 10 miles per hike.
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: Timberland hiking boots
2005-08-22 14:24:24 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Martin L from connecticut
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Excellent arch support
awesome! I am a profesional tree climber and I am hard on boots, about every 6 months I replace your average logging boot....I'm on my 2nd year with these boots....and I'm just now looking for a new pair ( and having trouble finding them!)....the only boot I'll buy as long as they are avalible!!
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: none
2005-03-21 06:45:14 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Anonymous from Durham, North Carolina
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt a half size smaller than marked
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Makalu's are great! Well designed boot that is way sturdy. Wore them for 4 days at Disney which provided for an excellent break-in period. Fit in well on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride! Tight in the toes at first with some tingling which resolved by day three of the break-in. This is a serious trekking boot which runs about a 1/2 size small in my experience.
2005-02-16 14:51:57 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Jason R from Thames, New Zealand
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:
Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Excellent all round boot - I've used these boots for everything from ice field walking, through alpine snow and tussock country, to river walking and general tramping. Once they moulded to my wide feet they were excellent.
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: La Sportiva Glacier
Top
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other Zappos.com customers!
76% of Fit Survey respondents said this shoe "Felt true to size"
87% of Fit Survey respondents said this shoe "Felt true to width"
67% of Fit Survey respondents said this shoe had "Moderate arch support"
Customer Rating/Review
La Sportiva Makalu
Number of reviews: 11
Average customer ratings:
Overall:
Comfort: Look: 2009-11-03 22:51:51 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Satisfied O from Wasatch Range, Utah
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Excellent arch support
These are the best boots I have ever owned. I had several pairs of leather boots before these and always got blisters and suffered general discomfort and soreness in my feet. I've hiked my Makalus in extreme weather and elevation and never, ever had a blister. Not even once. Amazing. I can hardly believe it myself. I love these boots and have had them for 8 years now. Outstanding comfort, protection, support, grip. They work great for snowshoeing and with a pair of gaiters are great for hiking through deep snow.
2009-08-02 08:59:20 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Jesse Baldwin from The Eastern Sierras
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:I love these boots. First pair lasted hundreds of miles of hiking off-trail and was also my primary work boot as a ski lift maintenance electrician. In my job, other boots lasted one year or less. These lasted three years and I used them as my primary backpacking shoe. They would have lasted longer if I only used them for hiking. Unfortunately, they finally succumbed to the tough steel edges at work that occasionally grabbed the heels. Stitching tore and finally blew out. The soles were still in pretty good shape, which was amazing given the harsh metal grating and boulder hopping I put them through. With both pairs, I had to play with the detachable tongues a lot to get the right feel. Cannot recommend them any more highly.
2009-01-01 15:06:38 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Anonymous from Minnesota
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Excellent arch support
Great - These boots are all around awesome. Warm, comfy, sturdy and pretty good looking too. I recommend these boots.
2008-12-08 09:21:12 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Mike D from British Columbia
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Good, solid boot - This is my third La Sportiva boot. I'm a fire crew leader so wear out a lot of boots (and feet). First was the Glacier, what a surprise! Comfortable, grippy but worn out after one season. Second was the Makalu. It should be tougher, and was: lasted two seasons. I'm replacing it with another pair. Plusses: comfortable, solid, good grip Minuses: fabric lace loops wear out (get a shoe repair place to rivet on metal loops), foot beds pound out quickly (so replace them) Overall: best boot for the job I've tried yet.
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: La Sportiva Glacier
2008-03-09 07:45:28 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Anonymous from San Marcos, Texas
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Take some time to break these in, and I definitely recommend getting a pair of custom "Superfeet" insoles with them - makes all the difference in the world. After a couple of weeks, they're almost as comfortable as work boots. It does take some time to get used to the overall stiffness, but that has saved me from what would have been ankle-busting falls on several occasions. My advice: go grab a pair as quick as you can, break them in, and get your lazy ass away from that television!
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: Salomon XA Pro - great for trail running.
2007-10-28 09:02:00 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Tommy D from Southern NV
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Good lasting boot! I've worn these boots for nine or ten years and really like them! They are heavy, but they protect your feet and offer great support. I bought them for hiking, but I ended up wearing them to work everyday because I walk at least ten miles a day. I had them resoled about four years ago and I am finally replacing them due to abuse more than anything. I will probably just buy another pair of these!
2006-06-25 09:33:46 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Joe R from Colorado
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
La Sportiva Makalu...a good massive boot - I spend several weeks of my summer fighting forest fires where we are required to have 8 inch high boots. I have always hated the typical high-heeled 'Whites' type boot with no ankle support. I bought the Makalu as it just meets the 8 inch high requirement. I also have high, rigid arches and heels that are rotated inward. So new boots are a frightening thing, with a long break-in period usually required. Well the Makalu felt great right out of the box and on short flat hikes. I have gotten in a 10 mile walk without a significant load and still no foot problems. These feel like great boots. They are heavy but repay you with great ankle support and a rigid sole that will support crampons. And they are nearly half the price of Whites! The insole insert is the typical useless piece of thin foam. Put in a good support like 'Superfeet.'
2006-06-20 14:58:20 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Chris from Denver
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt wider than marked
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Keep looking if you like long backpacking trips. I purchased my boots about 4 years ago. At that time the fit was perfect and I thought the boot was great, but it has changed over the years. I do long day hikes or 2-3 overnight trips in CO and MT with these boots. Until recently the sole began to fall off or break off. It is hard to describe. Almost a flaw in design. I don't feel that it is wear and tear, but La Sportiva warranty dept does. I paid about $260 dollars for these boots and would have expected a longer life from them. Although I use them for what they are intended for I am only a weekend warrior and can only get out maybe 5-7 times a season. Which could be a max of 28 hikes or a total of 280 miles, an average of 10 miles per hike.
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: Timberland hiking boots
2005-08-22 14:24:24 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Martin L from connecticut
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Excellent arch support
awesome! I am a profesional tree climber and I am hard on boots, about every 6 months I replace your average logging boot....I'm on my 2nd year with these boots....and I'm just now looking for a new pair ( and having trouble finding them!)....the only boot I'll buy as long as they are avalible!!
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: none
2005-03-21 06:45:14 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Anonymous from Durham, North Carolina
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt a half size smaller than marked
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Shoe Arch: Moderate arch support
Makalu's are great! Well designed boot that is way sturdy. Wore them for 4 days at Disney which provided for an excellent break-in period. Fit in well on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride! Tight in the toes at first with some tingling which resolved by day three of the break-in. This is a serious trekking boot which runs about a 1/2 size small in my experience.
2005-02-16 14:51:57 La Sportiva Makalu
Reviewer: Jason R from Thames, New Zealand
Overall:
Comfort:
Look:Shoe Size: Felt true to size
Shoe Width: Felt true to width
Excellent all round boot - I've used these boots for everything from ice field walking, through alpine snow and tussock country, to river walking and general tramping. Once they moulded to my wide feet they were excellent.
Other shoes recommended by reviewer: La Sportiva Glacier
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