Owned these for about five years now and they are easily the best boot I've ever owned. They do everything - I've taken them to the deserts of New Mexico, all over the White Mountains of NH, into Nepal for trekking/mountaineering in the Khumbu region.... they've handled everything. They're a heavy duty boot and they fit me wonderfully - but I have wide, flat fleet. With a many coats of mink oil, they are 100% waterproof. They aren't insulated, but can still handle snow and even vertical ice if you've got a nice warm sock. Buy these boots - you won't regret it.

I could walk around the world in these. And they could completely suck for you. Finding the right boot is not a team sport I'm afraid. But for me, as long as they don't pull a Vasque, I'm a La Sportiva fan for life.

I bought Makalu in the summer. Comfortable, if you have chosen the proper size. I like this classical style. During the summer climings and hiking (I've got twisted ankle and was not able to wear my hiking shoes), sole's stability and flexibility of the Roughout leather become me to walk without any support from other teem members even on slippery surfaces.
But for 12 hours hiking ventillation was not enough. I hope, next time I will try La Sportiva Makalu with Gore-Tex ))))

I bought a pair of these boots 3 months ago and have 2 hard packing trips in them and no issues. They are a fairly stiff boot and mine broke in fairly quick. I never got a blister/hot spot or pinch out of these boots. I will agree with the other guy and say order a 1/2 size bigger than you should. This is my second set of sportivas and my last set I did'nt know they would shrink and they are now 1/2 size too small. So whatever fits perfect get the next 1/2 size up. At first you will curse me and in 6 mo to the life of your boot you will thank me.

Love them
Had mine now for 5 years and they have been all around the word. Done quite a bit of mountain climbin in New Zealand in these boots, Climbed Mt Cook in them. Even on the rough shrap rock in NZ they held up and still look great. Can be worn as a bush boot as well and even keep my feet warm at -20 temps in Canada. They do take awhile to break in about 3 months wearing them every 3rd day or so, but if you can get through that then there worth it.
10/10

Had these boots for 6 years and still going strong. Done everything from 100+ miles trips in the Windrivers to summiting Rainier in them. They work well for just about any activity down to freezing temps. They dry fast and are very water resistant right out of the box. The only con is that they do run a little narrow (easily alleviated by either trimming the insoles or custom footbeds) and they do need substantial break-in time, but once its done these boots will provide years of reliable service. My next boots will be LaSportiva.

I bought a pair of these when they first came out about 12 years ago. I wore them on a 7 day backpacking trip off the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with a fractured large toe and they are so stiff & heavy they keep it well protected. After that I did a solo trip in Northern California and they tore my feet up so bad I had to hike out barefoot! I was so pissed off at these boots that I threw them in a trash barrel at the trail head. They are very, very heavy - as heavy a boot as you can get before going to plastics. They are good with crampons. I have a wide food and that's probably the problem with these boots, but even with narrow feet I still cannot recomend them expecially since their are much better options out their today then this old design.

I purchesed the first generation of the Makalu back in the winter of 2001 and they are still holding in there for the long haul. I have doen 30 day backpacking trips with them, Winter camping, and daily foot were fo wintery days in northern Vermont. You will get your moneys worth out of them. I am going to be said when they are finally worn out but there are a few more miles to go with them.

My toes are getting worn out from years of skiing, hiking, playboating, longboarding,etc. Wanted a full shank boot to help protect them from getting jammed / aggravated. These boots are perfect. The shank is very stiff but not totally inflexible. The upper is supple enough that the ankle support doesn't make each step an ankle gouge like my plastic boots. Fit following la sportiva fit guide is right on and I can wear out of box with no blisters as long as I'm careful about lacing.

Unexpected but awesome features:
- "soft shell" style breathable, water repellent leather
- removable, adjustable tongue. Keeps enough downforce on foot to prevent slippage.
- lace locks hold forefoot tension between uses, simplifying lace up next time.
- toe bumper rubber keeps off dew very effectively.

These boots are a bit harsh on impact walking on solid surfaces and not light. I put in better superfeet orthotic like insoles which help. But of course one expects this for a boot with this protection factor. Ankle support seems best for french crampon technique rather than german.

Worth every penny.

I bought the boots for work, I am a lineman in Houston, Tx. They are the best boots I have ever owned. Took them with me to WA. state and hiked the coast, and the Olympic National Park. I absolutely loved them. Never got a blister or hot spot and they broke in very quickly. I wear them to work everyday, I build powerlines so the steal shank is very nice when you are working off a pole in a set of pole gaffs. The best all around boot you can buy. Defenitly will buy another pair when these wear out.

I'm on my feet 8-10 hours a day five days a week. I wear the makalu. I fits like a slipper. I have a wider foot which makes it hard to fit in some traditional european mountaineering boots. These babies slipped on with no break in period. I'll be on the Whitney trail in Aug 09' smiling all the way up. I did romp in Mammoth in the march snow fall and sadly to say the makalu's did not hold up to the chill and wet like i thought they would. Look to the glacier version if you intend to park em' in the white stuff.

the shoe is great i had bought it from nepal
and its very nice and comfortable shoe just worried about the sole as small pieces had brokrn out
but no worries shoes are great

I purchased these boots for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Everything about them is GREAT, except that they have a FULL steel shank and I need a boot for flat land hiking/patrols. I will return them and purchase the Glaciers. This was MY FAULT because I though Makalu was a Mtn range on the big island of Hawaii NOT the 5th highest peak in the world.
Italy makes the best hiking boots in the world and these are testimony to that belief!!
CSM Recon

I've worn the Mac's to work in a manufacturing plant year round and played in them through snow and ice. Five years old now. Mid-sole cracked in half after a year and a half and the outsoles are totally shot. The outsole finally split this winter and wet feet insued. The lining on the heal is worn through to the leather. Love the look and feel of these boots but I thought I would get longer life out of them. Maybe all the urban terrain and constant daily wear just ate them up. Contemplating pair #2.

order a half size bigger. they tend to shrink a little over time. sounds funny but trust me they do