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brokesomeribs
Dec 6, 2009, 11:14 PM
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Anyone have any experience with the Mad Rock Alpinist? I'm specifically wondering about warmth. I need a general waterproof winter boot for Catskills and Adirondacks peak pagging, but I have half a mind to get a better pair of crampons, some ice tools, and start tagging along with my ice climbing buddies in the Daks and the NH Whites.
So my primary usage would be general mountaineering/alpine climbing, with maybe a couple days of ice, all below 10,000 ft. Maybe, maybe, a winter ascent of Mt. Washington is in the cards this winter, but unless we have a freak week of unseasonably warm temps, I'll probably wind up scrounging a double-plastic for that.
Thoughts?
The last thread on these boots was back on '06 and consisted only of people asking about these brand new boots - but no one had them, so no answers.
(This post was edited by brokesomeribs on Dec 6, 2009, 11:15 PM)
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reno
Dec 7, 2009, 1:07 AM
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Having spent $60 on a pair of their shoes that lasted for around 20 pitches before the rubber on the sole had a hole, I wouldn't put much faith into the durability of their alpine boots.
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joeforte
Dec 7, 2009, 1:17 AM
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I'd check the local classifieds for a used pair of boots. For the same price as a new pair of mad rocks, you can get a used pair of REAL boots, like la sportiva nepals, that'll last you 10x as long. Neice had several boots in their classifieds last time I checked. They pop up on craigslist from time to time as well. The most important thing though is that you try them on first. These things must fit properly, or you'll be sufferin' and cussin'!
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brokesomeribs
Dec 7, 2009, 1:24 AM
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Yeah, I've heard reports both ways on the durability of Mad Rock stuff. Maybe 5-6 years ago my brother was climbing on the shoe that preceded the Hooker (it had a clear/white rubber webbing over the toe). It wasn't amazing, but didn't fall apart on him either.
Still hoping to hear some first hand experience. Some detailed Googling found a couple short blurbs here and there, mostly positive, but would definitely like to hear it out of the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Anyone else?
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brokesomeribs
Dec 7, 2009, 1:27 AM
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joeforte wrote: I'd check the local classifieds for a used pair of boots. For the same price as a new pair of mad rocks, you can get a used pair of REAL boots, like la sportiva nepals, that'll last you 10x as long. Neice had several boots in their classifieds last time I checked. They pop up on craigslist from time to time as well. The most important thing though is that you try them on first. These things must fit properly, or you'll be sufferin' and cussin'!
Normally I'd agree with you but cosmetic seconds are available for $159 w/ free shipping in all the sizes that I might potentially fit into. Assuming I decide to snag a pair, I'll order 3 pairs, keep the one I like, and send the others back. Problem solved.
Oh, and in NJ, it's pretty rare to see mountain boots on Craigslist 
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brokesomeribs
Dec 7, 2009, 1:47 AM
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Cool tip on the crazedlist.com - never knew about that.
FWIW, both those locations are about 4 hrs away, maybe a bit more. BUt I appreciate the ideas, don't get me wrong.
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Alpine07
Dec 7, 2009, 2:00 AM
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I've not used either of the Mad Rock mountaineering boots. But everything that I have heard about them is that they fall apart pretty quickly.
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johnwesely
Dec 7, 2009, 2:40 AM
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reno wrote: Having spent $60 on a pair of their shoes that lasted for around 20 pitches before the rubber on the sole had a hole, I wouldn't put much faith into the durability of their alpine boots.
All of my Mad Rocks generally last between 8 months and a year.
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no_limit
Dec 7, 2009, 2:50 AM
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I have a pair of the Mad Rock Alpinists. I have been wearing them for the past couple of months. They are pretty comfortable, fit my feet well and are warm. However, they do have noticeable wear in the sole already.
I wore them to the summit of Mount Washington the other weekend in around -15F temps and high wind. They kept my feet warm and functioned well (better than I thought they would).
So, they should meet your requirements. Just beware, they will wear out quickly. I would imagine they will last for one season, MAX.
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angry
Dec 7, 2009, 3:11 AM
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I was definitely impressed with how light they were when I saw a pair.
I guess I'd shy away because I've had the same experience with most mad-rock stuff as anyone else here. The other reason is that I've only ever seen them at Pagan in Moab, and unless they have your size you can't really try them on. I'm just not a fan of mail ordering boots.
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jumpmedialtd
Dec 23, 2009, 3:42 PM
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I have the Mad Rock Mountains. The original sole sucked, so I had them resoled with Vibrams and they are great. They fit my feet well and I ice climb with them in warmer temps (20 and up).
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