Hanwag Makra Trek vs Combi

Joined
Aug 31, 2022
Messages
9
I will start off by saying I have been a silent consumer of Rokslide information for over half a decade, simply by googling the product I wanted to know something about followed by Rokslide. I decided a couple months ago that I wanted to start giving back after all of the information I have taken and this is going to be my first real post.
To start the year I really wanted to find some detailed information about the Hanwag Makra Trek vs Combi. I hated the fit of the Crispi Colorados that I was using and wanted to make the jump (loved the stiffness). I found the Treks at a local store and really liked how they fit my foot, and ended up also buying the Combis later on as they are pretty much the same upper. Here is a comparison for folks out there and I hope it helps:
Upper: Of course it changes foot to foot, but I find a high amount of variability to lace these boots down and form them to my feet. They are the same upper construction for the most part. I was wary about there lacing system not being metal, but have had no problems and it holds well. There is a little larger rand surface area on the Combi but not by much.

Insoles: Just replace them on any footwear you buy as usual.
Outsole: The Treks have deeper “lugs” and are better built for softer/wetter ground, and have a toe cap unlike the Combi. The outsole on the Trek has more cushion than the Combi and this appears to be by design. The Combi is noticeable stiffer than the Trek and really starts to perform in the alpine off trail with foot stability in my opinion.

Final Notes: If you are a hard packed trail pounder in the summer to stay in shape and looking for one pair of all around boots, I would gravitate toward the Trek in my opinion. The Combi becomes very thin in the outsole at the toe (to be more delicate and technical in alpine terrain) and to me becomes very uncomfortable after a lot of miles especially moving briskly because there is no cushion there. I took the Combis up Mt. Elbert for a test run, they were a dream going up, but became very uncomfortable descending after a few miles due to the lack of cushion, my feet felt pretty bruised. Off trail, they are great as I stated for foot stability. The Trek to me offers more all day comfort on your feet. The imagine the story will be a little different slowing hunting vs getting places quickly in the off-season, but for my alpine fishing obsession I tend to grab the Trek.

I enjoyed sharing my OPINIONS here, and hope this helps someone that is on the fence.
 

BronkoRob

FNG
Joined
Aug 3, 2021
Messages
61
out of curiosity, what did you hate about the colorados? Im in a similar situation. ran the colorados for a week last fall, but the toe box ended up being too narrow. Went up a size and still the same problem. Bearable flat ground and climbing, got real uncomfortable downhill.

Looking for a replacement. Like you I liked the stiffness of the colorado, just need the rest of the boot to fit better. I liked the materials and lightness as well, which is why I started looking at the Makra Combi. Seems like a similar design and hoping the fit to my foot is a little better.
 
Joined
Mar 4, 2014
Messages
2,268
I had a similar issue with Crispi. The worst boot/shoe I have ever put on my feet. I recently tried the Combi and the Alverstone. Both were very comfortable but the Combi had a tad bit of heel slip and the ankle support was better in the Alverstone. I went with the Alverstone mostly for the ankle support. I did think both models were good and everything seems good so far.
Thanks to 1Shot Gear for the help with the boots.
 

WBrim

WKR
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
368
I like my crispi summits, but I also like to try new things. I just picked up a pair of makra combis (for a sweet deal) and they fit my foot so well. I haven’t got any real miles on them yet. A new insole is probably in order, but initial impression is very good.
 

WBrim

WKR
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
368
I also had a pair of Colorados (in a half size too big?) that just did not fit. It was wide enough, but stubby and short. I wanted to like them, but they did not work at all for me.
 

RAG

FNG
Joined
Feb 16, 2025
Messages
24
I will start off by saying I have been a silent consumer of Rokslide information for over half a decade, simply by googling the product I wanted to know something about followed by Rokslide. I decided a couple months ago that I wanted to start giving back after all of the information I have taken and this is going to be my first real post.
To start the year I really wanted to find some detailed information about the Hanwag Makra Trek vs Combi. I hated the fit of the Crispi Colorados that I was using and wanted to make the jump (loved the stiffness). I found the Treks at a local store and really liked how they fit my foot, and ended up also buying the Combis later on as they are pretty much the same upper. Here is a comparison for folks out there and I hope it helps:
Upper: Of course it changes foot to foot, but I find a high amount of variability to lace these boots down and form them to my feet. They are the same upper construction for the most part. I was wary about there lacing system not being metal, but have had no problems and it holds well. There is a little larger rand surface area on the Combi but not by much.

Insoles: Just replace them on any footwear you buy as usual.
Outsole: The Treks have deeper “lugs” and are better built for softer/wetter ground, and have a toe cap unlike the Combi. The outsole on the Trek has more cushion than the Combi and this appears to be by design. The Combi is noticeable stiffer than the Trek and really starts to perform in the alpine off trail with foot stability in my opinion.

Final Notes: If you are a hard packed trail pounder in the summer to stay in shape and looking for one pair of all around boots, I would gravitate toward the Trek in my opinion. The Combi becomes very thin in the outsole at the toe (to be more delicate and technical in alpine terrain) and to me becomes very uncomfortable after a lot of miles especially moving briskly because there is no cushion there. I took the Combis up Mt. Elbert for a test run, they were a dream going up, but became very uncomfortable descending after a few miles due to the lack of cushion, my feet felt pretty bruised. Off trail, they are great as I stated for foot stability. The Trek to me offers more all day comfort on your feet. The imagine the story will be a little different slowing hunting vs getting places quickly in the off-season, but for my alpine fishing obsession I tend to grab the Trek.

I enjoyed sharing my OPINIONS here, and hope this helps someone that is on the fence.

So I just ordered a pair of the Hanwag Makra boots for my son, because they were on good sale...and good sale is key here, because my kid is 13 and outgrows boots like crazy, so I refuse to pay $275. Actually bought him two pairs...the first one was this Makra Trek pictured here:1739737671587.png...and I was a bit confused reading this post, how it appeared to be the same upper as the Combi. But then, I bought him another pair of boots a size too big, to fit him down the road, and it was this boot...which has the same identical name,...which must have been the version of Makra trek being discussed here, as it looks like they fitted the Combi upper to the Integral Light Sole (which, conceptually I much prefer that sole for our terrain). Anyhow, confusing as heck how they have two different boots with the same name!
1739737608225.png
 

RAG

FNG
Joined
Feb 16, 2025
Messages
24
But since purchasing, I recall reading a couple reviews that indicated the waterproof membrane didn't hold up long in the Makra Treks...which, I believe were in reference to the red and black, Combi look-alikes. Or maybe the reviews were in reference to the Combi themselves, I can't recall...but the uppers sure to appear to be 100% identical, so such reviews are a touch concerning. So I would wonder (if you are even still on this forum), if you've had any such water proof issues with them?
 

GIS

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 19, 2016
Messages
152
Location
SD
I have had three pairs of the treks (red/black). They are one of my favorite boots and haven't had any issues with them leaking. The issue I have had is they have all shrank about half a size after 12 months of hard use. I've read this is a common problem.

Last year I got a pair of the kalixfors and love them. They breath as well as the treks but are leather and haven't had any issues with them shrinking.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk
 

RAG

FNG
Joined
Feb 16, 2025
Messages
24
I have had three pairs of the treks (red/black). They are one of my favorite boots and haven't had any issues with them leaking. The issue I have had is they have all shrank about half a size after 12 months of hard use. I've read this is a common problem.

Last year I got a pair of the kalixfors and love them. They breath as well as the treks but are leather and haven't had any issues with them shrinking.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk
Okay, that's good to know, on both accounts! I don't want my kid getting wet feet, obviously; in his case, due to how fast he's growing, the shrinking issue won't be issue because he'll only get about 15 uses (one season) before he out grows them anyhow. Come to think of it, I saw post where somebody said they are done with Hanwag and this boot due to this issue, but I assumed it was the Perwanger leather version of the Makra Trek, not the predominantly cordura black/red version.

BTW, do you know what the story is with the perwanger leather version of the Makra Trek? Is that the new version replacing the black and red version maybe? I really don't understand why they would give it the same name with now differentiation.
 
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