La SportivaMens Makalu Mountaineering/Hiking Boots

Mak's = AwesomeI've worn some boots in my days trudging around this pale blue dot we call Earth, but nothing to date compares to my Makalu's. These boots can take a lickin' better than Muhammad Ali. Be sure to throw in some  Superfeet REDhot Trim-to-Fit (7100) Mens Cold Weather Insoles Shoe  and your feet will stay nice and toasty. Of course, these boots need more than just insoles, leather, and rubber...you definitely need a thick wool Wigwam pair of socks to round it all out.Now down to the nitty gritty: these boots have full shanks, so the sole is stiff...as it should be. If you plan on doing light hiking in these, I suppose you can, but plan on probably being unhappy with the lack of flex and light weight. I have hiked trails with <20lb pack, but then again, I was in the USMC and when people complain about "heavy" boots, I laugh. These boots aren't that heavy, in my opinion. There is a significant break-in period...+/- 50 miles. On sizing...I wear an average US size 10, but with these boots I sized up to EU 44 for two reasons, extra room for 2 pairs of socks, and I also have bunions from the crappy boots I wore for years in the Marine Corps. I started with size 43, pinched too much and my toes could feel the end of the boot...so I went a whole size up which is roughly 2/6" larger from 43 to 44. The key point is that I wear thick socks and more than one pair...normally a liner plus thick hiking sock. No complaints. However, if I were to attempt just a liner sock...i would be close to swimming in empty space.If you plan on humping a heavy pack, kicking steps in snow, and/or wearing crampons for technical ascents...then these are your boots. La Sportiva is legendary in their craftsmanship, and these boots carry on that standard of quality. Only unknown is whether you can get up icefalls with these bad boys. My guess is it is doable since these are a great all-around mountaineering boot.

It fits snug to your foot. Make sure you buy 1/2 inch more of your normal size. Great boot to gaffe poles.

Exceptional Quality and absolutely the most comfortable boots I’ve owned. I’d buy them again over and over.

Very comfortable. I wear these boots every day for tree work. They last me almost 3 years. Most boots only last eight months.

I'm a lineman apprentice so I had to see what all the hype was about. I haven't climbed with them yet but when I first got then they felt like they fit good but they seemed very narrow and were very uncomfortable and made my toes go numb, but don't get discouraged they are just extremely stiff and after a day or so of working in them they loosened up and started to feel great. The Asolo hiking boots are definitely more comfortable but these seem like they will be great for climbing and will hold up very well, maybe I'll give it that 5th star once they break in better and I see how they are climbing. They are a very strong durable and stiff boot. Very much worth the money, a must have if your a lineman or a tree climber, etc!

I worked at a ski resort in Utah. I wore these boots all winter. My feet stayed dry, and the ankle support was amazing. This year some of the resorts in Utah had 800 inches. I used snow seal and appreciated the traction these boots provided on steep decents. They are great mountaineering boots. Thank's LA Sportiva.

I have owned this brand AND model ..,they are the best boots I have ever owned - the last pair lasted nearly 20 years and I expect that this pair will be the same.

Ordered these hoping they’d be comfortable and long lasting. Wore them for three weeks and the leather just ripped. Climbed in them twice. Never got caught on anything that should of ripped them like this.