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These are the F1 class in hiking boots! By waveraider from Peru, Illinois on 02/11/2008 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Cold weather, Day hikes, Everyday, Motorcycle riding, Mountaineering, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: If you are looking for a hiking boot that is in it for the long haul, this is it! They are super comfortable, easy to lace correctly, and the laces stay tied! As far as weight goes I had a pair of Vasque boots about 30 years ago that were heavier than these --- the weight doesn't bother me at all. These boots are all about quality and craftsmanship, they are the Ferrari of hiking boots. You will find no finer boot anywhere!
By Adam from Helena, Montana on 01/08/2008 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Day hikes, Everyday, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Impressive craftsmanship
By Randy the Sign Electrician from Boise, ID on 01/07/2008 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Climbing ladders Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: These are perfect work boots if you climb ladders and need superior traction and mobility.
By jason from Seattle, WA on 12/19/2007 Pros: Bombproof, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Cold weather, Mountaineering, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels full size too big Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I've been looking for a sturdy backpacking boot for quite a while. In the past, I've owned two Vasque and a Montrail boot with no complaints. However, I wanted a traditional Norwegian Welt style boot that I could simply replace the tread from time to time, vs. breaking in a new boot.
Make no mistake, these boots are stiff and will take considerable day and urban hikes to get comfortable. But once they're broken in, these boots are gold.
By Herb from Missoula, MT. on 12/06/2007 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Stable Best Uses: Backcountry, Cold weather, Day hikes, Everyday Describe Yourself: Professional Guide Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I'm a forester in Montana. I've never had a pair of boots last two years, these have. In everyday use, down through the slash, boulders and brush, (rarely on trails), nothing compares. You'll forget about their weight (3 lbs. apiece) when you feel the support. It's good to know that a missed step won't cost you a snapped ankle or worse.
Greatest hiking boot ever By Timbo from St Louis Mo on 12/05/2007 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Cold weather, Day hikes, Everyday, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: These boot are the real deal. If you are looking for a cheaply constructed shoe just to get by. then pass on these. They are comfortable, durable and stylish at the same time. These boots reek of QUALITY.
Bomber 'old school' mountain boot By Arr-gee from New York on 09/27/2007 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Cold weather, Rugged climbing Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels half size too small Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: The New Guide is a throwback. I remember big boots like this back in the 1970s. Remember Fabiano? These are similar. HEAVY! Maybe too heavy.
This is a Norwegian-welted 'light mountaineering' boot, meant for climbing and hiking rugged terrain, not for day hikes, light backpacking or rolling terrain. Good for rugged rocks, heavy backpacking and will work pretty well even for ice and snow. They look and feel like they should last forever.
The good points are that these are stiff, supportive (steel half-shank), well-made and aren't too much of a chore to break in. They have ultra-high quality Ido Perwanger chrome-tanned, waxed leather uppers, which are relatively warm and waterproof, and are as rugged as it gets. The leather is thick enough (3mm) that it repels water very well, even if you're sloshing through cold mud for many hours. The boot seems bombproof. It also fits well and looks like a classic.
The bad point is that all this ruggedness makes the boot extremely heavy - 6 lbs for the pair. I actually had to work my legs into shape for hiking in these. I got leg cramps the first time I took them out on a big hike.
I use these boots for winter hiking and northeastern US mountain climbing, often with snowshoes or strap-on crampons. I'll also use them if I know I'll be carrying a very heavy pack load.
I'd only recommend these if you're looking for an all-leather, light mountaineering boot like those from days of yore -- but only if you don't mind their heavy weight. If that's what you're looking for, then these are the real deal!
BOMBPROOF BOOT FOR SERIOUS BACKCOUNTRY By Todd from Bozeman, Montana on 09/26/2007 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great ankle support, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Cold weather, Day hikes, Everyday, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels half size too small Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: The best boots I've ever owned!!! These boots are nearly indestructible! The leather is stiff and heavy with great foot protection and ankle support. Even side-hilling, running or sliding down a talus slope through the rocks will not damage these boots at all. I've been wearing a pair every day from about March 1 to late December in the backcountry for work and play for years. It's the only boot I will buy for my backcountry trail work, backpacking, off-trail hiking, and hunting. Keep them treated with a waterproofing or conditioner and your feet stay dry all day in snow or rain. I now have four pair. One I keep just for hunting in the snow with a sharp-edged sole. Two are used daily for either work of play in the mountains. The last pair is still in the box just in case. :) NOTE: I buy these boots a size larger and wear two pair of heavy Smartwool socks for extra cushion against any rubbing or possible blistering. (my feet don't sweat, so not a problem with two pair of socks) These boots are very stiff and do not flex much, so one could get hot spots or blisters on the heels when accending up steep slopes or trails. It takes about a year to break these bad-boys in. HINT: If you get the boot a size larger, a 2"x2" piece of neoprene taped into the back of the heel of the boot, will greatly reduce heel rubbing and blisters. I double a piece of duct tape to one side of the neoprene and just stick in in there to curve around the back of your heels. But the boot has to be big enough or your toes will be too tight against the front. I also do things a little different than most and keep the boots loose so my heels slide up and down easily when going uphill. For me, this prevents the harsh rubbing that creates hot spots or blisters in a stiff boot. The boots are so stiff that they give great support even when loose. BOTTOM LINE: Excellent boots if you like 6 pounds of indestructible stiff, traction strapped to your feet. Just wear thick, cushy, moisture wicking socks to prevent possible blisters or try the neoprene trick. Most people I know think they are too heavy and bulky, but I love the durability and the leg workout. Hope this helps. Todd
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