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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.
By Davimdram from Cleveland ,oh on 11/26/2007 Best Uses: Backcountry, Everyday 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: I am on my fourth set of soles in about 3 years wearing these boots daily doing construction. They took a long time to break in (several months of daily use). The lining is now giving out and I have to go through breaking in a new pair. Its great to see that they are still available.
I placed a 1/4" cork under the inner foot liner and the replacement soles are softer than the original but the system works for me.
Again, it is difficult to get these boots broken in. The occasional hiker would never get them broken in to the point where they could truly appriciate them. I would say I nearly went through a set of soles before they were broken in.
By Thermal from Big Bear City, Ca on 10/31/2007 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Day hikes, Everyday 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: These boots were noticeably lighter than my old, very heavy, old-school boots that have seen better days after 15 years. I did not expect the Alicos to last as long, but they are awesome! After a week of wearing them around the house, I used them to hike the JMT, no blisters, sore spots or any ther kind of problem! Bought a second pair in case I live long enough to wear these out.
The oiled nubuck Alicos are GREAT! By asiago from Berkeley, Ca on 10/20/2007 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable Best Uses: Day hikes, Everyday, Working in a lab 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: I wear these to work daily, spending the day walking and standing on concrete floors, and they were comfortable from the moment I put them on. I bought them as a last-ditch effort to cure my plantar fasciitis, figuring they were designed for all-day walking, and they did the job. They flex enough that they're fine for driving too. My first pair (oiled nubuck) is still going strong after about five years of daily work use, but could use new soles on the heels. The new pair is for work, so I can use the old ones for hiking. However, I was NOT happy with a pair of the smooth brown leather ones, as they are SO stiff, even after repeated wearings. Maybe someday I'll manage to break them in, but the nubuck ones were good to go on Day One. I feel so lucky to have found another pair available in my size!
By Hank the landscaper from Augusta, Georgia on 10/18/2007 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Very supportive Cons: Heavy, Not Water Resistant Describe Yourself: Landscaper Sizing: Feels true to size Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I needed a pair of boots that would last more than 6 months and decided to spend some real money. These boots are a bargain at their price. I will have a year on them this January. I have enjoyed them thoroughly. They are heavy and not water-proof. The soles are starting to wear and I will need to replace them January for sure. They stand up to anything that you throw at them. I have rotated these boots out with a pair of Georgia boots and North Face trail runners. Yes, the sole is still about to wear out. I would strongly recommend these boots to anyone looking for a bargain and wanted a TRUE hiking boot. I am thinking of buying another pair to keep just for personal outdoor adventures. They should really last a lifetime then.
Great 'old school' leather hiker By Arr-gee from New York on 09/27/2007 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole Cons: Heavy, Not Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Backpacking, Bushwhacking Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer, Avid bushwhacker Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Heavy for their level of stiffness (4 lbs. a pair), but that's to be expected from an all-leather boot with Norwegian welt construction. Super high quality leather is very supportive and durable. Vibram soles give really good traction on everything short of wet, slippery logs. These boots have protected my feet through all kinds of bushwhacking and trail hiking.
The boots' old-school Norwegian welt construction lets them stretch in all the right places for a great fit (after they break in).
I've backpacked frequently in them and climbed many northeastern mountains through rain, snow, slush and our lovely mud. These Alico boots always get me through. With proper care and cleaning, and since they have replaceable soles, these boots should last years, years and more years.
My only complaint is that they can get very wet after a couple of days in cold mud and melting snow. But they're not designed for that, so maybe that's not a fair criticism. No Gore-Tex, so you'll need to waterproof the leather with something like Limmer Boot Grease. SnoSeal or other beeswax products don't seem to work as well on these oil-tanned leathers. I've completely soaked my Summits in swamps, mud and falling into beaver dams, and they've always bounced back. At any rate, I bring a pair of waterproof overboots for when it's really nasty, and that does the trick quite nicely.
Highly recommended, especially if you're not a fanatical ultralighter and you can do without a Gore-Tex liner.
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
By Brooks from Hilo Town, HI on 09/18/2007 Pros: Beautiful, Classic, Comfortable, Quality, Stable Cons: Needs a toe cap, Not Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Day hikes, Everyday 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: I love these boots! Soft leather inside and rustic leather outside. They're roomy and comfortable. They start out fairly stiff, but break in quickly. They're a bargain, as well. The only thing that's missing is a durable toe cap. I anticipate that their lifetime is limited mainly by rocks eventually chewing up the toes. They're only minimally water resistant unless you apply some sort of serious waterproofing stuff, so don't ruin them by wearing them for long enough to soak through on particularly wet days. I trek across lava fields and through rainforests in my first pair, which is VERY hard on them, but I have very happy feet.
Note, these medium width boots are slightly more roomy in width and volume than I expected for the size. (I don't have wide feet) The length was about as expected. This is super for installing a nice sturdy insole and wearing a great big cooshy pair of Smartwool mountaineering socks. Even with those it takes a strong pull on the laces to get them perfectly snug.
By lou from ny on 09/15/2007 Pros: Bombproof, Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Cold weather, Day hikes, Everyday, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer, Casual/ Recreational Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: i was going to purchase limmers. then i saw the alicos; these boots are constructed with similar materials/soles in a similar way as the limmers. they were a third of the price of the limmers. i had also read a review of alico yohos in backpacker about 14 years ago, and the reviewer said they were world class boots.i bought a pair from [...]. they fit big, to accomodate liners and thick socks. i put a pair of dr. scholl's gel insoles in them.with the insoles, and after about two weeks of break in, these boots are my favorites, ever.they are bombproof, very difficult to scuff, very supportive (i am 6 ft. tall, 200 pounds). The vibram soles are very supportive and grip rocky trails of upstate NY like billygoats. they are also comfortable on the streets of manhattan and brooklyn. i love my alicos and expect them to last a very long time.
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