Hanwag Makra Light GTX vs Crispi Lapponia II GTX

[gtriple]

Down to these two boots. I've been running the Hanwag Alverstone II GTX for the past few years and love them, but I'm looking for something a bit lighter and for less technical terrain.

These two are about the same weight and flex rating. I like the idea of the locking buckle on the laces because I've had a bit of slip on the Alverstones. The Crispis can be found much cheaper. The Hanwags can be resoled.

Has anybody tried both of these and have a comparison?

 

[Samson7x]

Picked up some makra lights for a lighter hiker style boot and really like them. Enough support but more range of motion with the 6” height. They aren’t as flexible as I was anticipating but no break in needed. Plenty of grip and I like the lace lock, never had to worry about it. The tongue is a crossover style so be aware of that. I didn’t know that when I bought them and was skeptical. I don’t have any issue with it after wearing them, can’t tell a difference. I lucked out and got them for about $100 off from a go hunt sale.

No direct comparison with the lapponia so can’t help there. I did have some summits though. I also want to try the zamberlan salathe that may interest you.

 

[10ringer]

I own both and they are very different. The Makra light is like a low-cut Alverstone like boot. You get a similar footbed and crazy good grip with the added range of motion being a shorter boot. I like these for trail hikes and weighted pack training. They don’t have the ankle support of the Alverstone and lack when side hilling.

The Lapponia is more flexible and feels similar to salmon footwear. It’s taller and provides a little better ankle support. It definitely feels more like a tennis shoe when hiking flat ground. The grip isn’t as beefy as the Makras so you have to be more cautious sidehilling on mud or wet grass. Last note, the Lapponia has a roomy toe box. If you have a wide foot they will work. The makras have an alpine cut and run a little on the narrow size. If you sidehill a bunch, I found the Lapponias slide around more giving me blisters on my toes, whereas the makras hold my foot firmly in place. Always a trade off in footwear


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[nobody]

No experience owning Hanwags, but my favorite boot I’ve ever worn is the Lapponia. I’ve packed some heavy loads and put lots of miles in steep terrain and the soft flex has never been a problem. I tried Hanwags on last summer before buying my Lapponia 2’s and I didn’t even have to lace up the Hanwags to tell they don’t fit my foot. They fit VERY different from one another, so try both on before buying for sure. Lapponias have a very flat footbed with minimal arch, a wide forefoot, and a narrower heel pocket.

Also, Crispi’s can definitely be resoled. Several threads on here about it, including a review that Jim Carr did of Crispi’s resole job provided by their approved cobbler in central Utah. Big players in Crispi resoling circles are Gary’s Shoes in Richfield Utah and Mr. Cobbler Co in Grand Junction.

 

[RAG]

Down to these two boots. I've been running the Hanwag Alverstone II GTX for the past few years and love them, but I'm looking for something a bit lighter and for less technical terrain.

These two are about the same weight and flex rating. I like the idea of the locking buckle on the laces because I've had a bit of slip on the Alverstones. The Crispis can be found much cheaper. The Hanwags can be resoled.

Has anybody tried both of these and have a comparison?

Did you end up picking up either of these boots you referenced? I'm mail order shopping for my son and found good deal on the Makra Light, so that has my interest. Looks to me the Lapponia would be a slightly more robust boot, which actually has my interest to compare to my all-time fav boots, the Scarpa Zodiac Pro.

 

[RAG]

No experience owning Hanwags, but my favorite boot I’ve ever worn is the Lapponia. I’ve packed some heavy loads and put lots of miles in steep terrain and the soft flex has never been a problem. I tried Hanwags on last summer before buying my Lapponia 2’s and I didn’t even have to lace up the Hanwags to tell they don’t fit my foot. They fit VERY different from one another, so try both on before buying for sure. Lapponias have a very flat footbed with minimal arch, a wide forefoot, and a narrower heel pocket.

Also, Crispi’s can definitely be resoled. Several threads on here about it, including a review that Jim Carr did of Crispi’s resole job provided by their approved cobbler in central Utah. Big players in Crispi resoling circles are Gary’s Shoes in Richfield Utah and Mr. Cobbler Co in Grand Junction.

OMG, I think I just fell in love with the Lapponia! You mention it has a flat footbed, which I vastly prefer (and then let the masses install proper insoles to match their desired amount of arch support). You also mentioned wide forefoot and "narrower" heel pocket...I think would fit my foot type. And now, the Laponia III looks like it's coming with a proper sole with deep lugs, which looks to be a huge improvement in my book. Hmmm....because I apparently like collecting boots, I would love to get a pair and see if they can dethrone my beloved Scarpa Zodiac Pro (which the only thing I don't love is that they never seem to go on good sale anywhere...I need them to come out with an updated model just so I can by 3 or 4 pairs of the current version on clearance, ha!).

Anybody try on both the Lapponia (II or III) and the Scarpa Zodiac; it sounds like they both have flat foot bed, and both might have similar shape?

 

[gtriple]

Did you end up picking up either of these boots you referenced? I'm mail order shopping for my son and found good deal on the Makra Light, so that has my interest. Looks to me the Lapponia would be a slightly more robust boot, which actually has my interest to compare to my all-time fav boots, the Scarpa Zodiac Pro.

Yes, I tried the Hanwag. It’s a nice boot, just too stiff for my liking. I run about the most flexible shoes/boots you can find. I always wore low tops playing sports, so that’s what my ankles prefer.

 

[RAG]

Yes, I tried the Hanwag. It’s a nice boot, just too stiff for my liking. I run about the most flexible shoes/boots you can find. I always wore low tops playing sports, so that’s what my ankles prefer.

Right. Well, I'm guessing the mid-and-outsole build/stiffness on the low-cut Makra Light is robust and about like the Alverstone (Makra Trek and others), would you say?

So you're looking for low cut, and flexible sole? I suppose the challenge then, is still having a robust build with proper grippy and aggressove soles. The only boots I have in my arsenal that are completely flexible in the sole would be the Solomon Quest and the Zamberlan Baltoro Lite...so maybe the Zamberlan Salathe or Salathe Trek could be something to look at. Maybe!

 

[gtriple]

Right. Well, I'm guessing the mid-and-outsole build/stiffness on the low-cut Makra Light is robust and about like the Alverstone (Makra Trek and others), would you say?

So you're looking for low cut, and flexible sole? I suppose the challenge then, is still having a robust build with proper grippy and aggressove soles. The only boots I have in my arsenal that are completely flexible in the sole would be the Solomon Quest and the Zamberlan Baltoro Lite...so maybe the Zamberlan Salathe or Salathe Trek could be something to look at. Maybe!

I think my Alverstone II GTX is more flexible in the foot area than the Makra Light is.

I'm currently running the Topo Trailventure 2 WP. It's been a really comfortable, surprisingly waterproof boot. The lugs are so-so, but if I plan on being in any really steep terrain, I'll bring along a pair of microspikes to make up for that.