Mammut Samurai

Even gold medalists have imperfections

Samouraï means litterally 'the one who is usefull'. In the Japanese empire in the Middle-Age, the samouraïs were considered as a special social class. These people lived following the Bushido code, the way of the warrior, a fighting philosophy implying loyalty, honnor and trust until death. By choosing a name like that for its new shoes, we could wonder if Mammut didn't want to make it the climber's best companion...

Three months later, I still don't have a solid opinion. This lacet shoe from Mammut is a real pearl who convinced me that to pass to another brand from time to time permits to find something better or something different. The Samourai are well made shoes that really surprised me. At first sight, their agressive look is the first thing you notice.
Every person who saw me put them on said 'well, seems painfull but really good'. But the painfull side quickly disapeared after a few climbing sessions and still it was only when putting them on. Once the shoe were adapted to my foot, it was like puzzle pieces fitting perfectly together. Never I've had a shoe that fitted so well my heal without being painfull for the toes.

The shape isn't the only good thing about this Mammut model. The rubber Vibram®XSV too. The Pro and Velpro shoes showed that Mammut could make good shoes, the Samourai seems to be the next step. I've tested it on different kinds of rock: precision in slabs at Mozet, traverses with heal hooks in Rodellar, climbing plastic in gyms… Nothing made me thought that I wasn't climbing with the same rubber than usual.
There is this little frequent mistake that Mammut should correct - I hope – quite soon. As well the Pro and the Samurai have a problem with the rubber getting unglued from the sole. Quite a shame when you come back to Belgium and that you need precision in Freyr...

A double feeling in the end. Firstly with the rubber that unglues but also by the few differences this model has from another shoes company. Change the colors and the rubber and you'll have another shoe that exists in your hands. Even with that, the Samourai satisfied me very much and gave me much climbing pleasure.
For me a top level climbing shoe who is worth trying next time you'll visit your climbing shop.

Tijl

 

Technical details

• Composition: Leather
• Sole: Vibram®XSV – 4mm
• Use: precision in vertical and steep climbing
• Sizes: 2 – 13
• Public advised price: 120€

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