Identify my boots?

Andinista

02/09/2011 at 18:53

About 10 years ago I bought a beautiful pair of electric blue, leather La Sportiva boots from Rock Bottom for £70 down from £150+

For the last decade they've been my go to winter boot. No goretex lining, vibram soles, I was told crampon compatible etc. A quick search suggests they might be La Sportiva glacier boots, women's model! ( no one mentioned that in the shop...)I'll post up a pick when I get the chance, but anyone know anything about them? They're still in great nick and I plan to get a bit more serious Winter use out of them if they're suitsble...

Sandpiper

02/09/2011 at 19:17

A picture would indeed help

La Sportiva Makalu Women? The older models are pale blue, stiff vibram sole and crampon compatible.

Andinista

02/09/2011 at 19:26

I've just taken a picture but can't figure out how to include it in post without first uploading to an image hosting site...

Andinista

02/09/2011 at 19:33

http://www.backcountry.com/images/items/medium/LSP/LSP0020/LSGLACIB.jpg

Look to be the same boot...

Women's Glacier.

It's the Winter/crampon compatibilty I'm concerned about. In the morning I'll dig out the name of the crampons I've got (bought courtesy of a panicked conversation in broken Spanish prior to a trip up what turned to be a bone dry Mexican volcano - the permanent snow field of the guide book having long since vanished...)

Mrs. Nesbit

02/09/2011 at 20:17

From the photo and the limited info I can find online they'd certainly be suitable for walking crampons and possibly more...

Andinista

03/09/2011 at 15:46

Cheers Mrs N. Playing around today with a set of Black Diamond Sabretooth crampons (stepin/clip on) shows that they fit fine, toe and heal welts work well. I'll give them a proper test (somewhere safe!) when the snows come...

...leaves me with the odd question of, if I've been wearing women's boots in blissfully ignorance for all these years, what exactly is the difference between a Man's boot and a woman's boot?????

Andinista

03/09/2011 at 15:49

That said, I'm not 100% convinced by the toe end, whiter the "welt" on the boots is truly deep enough to secure the clip on crampons. Hmm.

Toadinahole

03/09/2011 at 21:54

If my memory is correct, the Makalu was a B2, and the Glacier was a B1 i.e. recommended for strap-fit crampons only. So, suitable for winter walking and glacier (sic) crossings. I think they had a 'chunky-looking' sole and a substantial rand; a useful-looking boot.

Hope this helps.

Roos Eisma 2

04/09/2011 at 11:27

I think I have a pair of Makalu of about the same age and they are compatible with step-in crampons. The sole is fully rigid, with a good rocker, and there are the dents for the crampon to clip into. How bendy are your boots?

The folk at Glenmore lodge assessed them when I did a winter skills course and they were happy to use them with the step-ins.

(they're also about half a size too small for me so would consider selling if someone is after a pair of women's size 7 winter boots)

Mrs. Nesbit

04/09/2011 at 11:42

More photos here

There appears to be a heel welt so they may take a newmatic type binding, but I don't see any sign of a toe welt for a step in crampon.

If you can't find any definite info I'd err on the side of caution and use a strap on. (Oooerr)

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