Alico New Guide Mountaineering Hiking Boots (For Men)
Closeouts. For good reason, these classic hiking boots from Alico come recommended by expert mountaineers. Superb heavy-duty hiking boots are crafted to take on rigorous alpine terrain. Beautiful, one-piece leather protects your feet, and the leather-lined interior is breathable and nearly friction free. Created in a small factory in the Dolomites by skilled artisans, these are boots you'll treasure.
Average Rating based on 232 reviews
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Reviewed by Steve B from Central Florida on Tuesday, May 14, 2013I am now working on my 2nd pair of these boots and have a 3rd pair still in the box at home. I work in Central Florida in the land management department of a government agency and my days can take me from dry upland pine forrest to wetland marsh to open grazing land (sorry no mountains in Florida). The Alico Guides, which I wear every day, have consistantly outperformed all the other bootsI have owned from almost all the other major manufacturers. Yes they are big and heavy but to me that just says sturdy and reliable and its is something you quickly get accustomed to. As far as quality goes, nothing else I have owned even comes close to the superb craftsmanship of the Alico Guides, you can see it as soon as you open the box. Sizing is just about spot on and it has been my experience that these boots are good to go right out of the box with little or no break in. A good set of aftermarket insoles and a good pair of marino wool hiking sox keep my feet comfortable all day and periodic application of silicone based waterproofing keep them dry in most conditions. I can not give these boots a higher recommendation and the same goes for their price at Sierra. Just get ready for the " Red Shoelaces" comments, they have become my "trademark" at work and I have actually found a supplier of exact replacements for them.
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Reviewed by Alaska Expeditioner - Owen B. from Nevada/Alaska on Thursday, May 09, 2013I always forget to write reviews, but for these I will. I have the Alico Summits, to, and after 1,000+ rocky Nevada miles over 7 ears, they fit like slippers and I am considering getting them resoled and fresh stitches. Four stars only because they really are not for everyone. I had the Guides bought for me for a 6 month research expedition in Kodiak, Alaska. I used them for 8 or more miles each day, kicking steps into scree and rock on steep slopes in constant rain whilst looking for nests of Kittletz's Murrelets. I also walked through miles of mucky bogs and soggy tundra with very heavy packs. In all, they took about 600+ miles that season. They still have hundreds of miles left in them, if not more. I need to resole them, because the vibram is very rounded from the rocks. The boots of my crewmates (an Asolo heavy hiking boot...forget the model, and Scarpa Charmoz) were unserviceable after the same abuse. Their waterproofness was great for a long time...very good. But i mistakenly put mink oil and other products for full grain leather on them, and it killed the Perwanger leather for waterproofness. Get the silicone stuff made for them mentioned in the other long review. These were hard to keep warm with my feet and lots of socks while hnting caribou on the North Slope...not meant for winter really, unless it's mild (above 20defF). When soaked and wet, each boot is about 4 pounds or so. Pretend you're skiing. The bottom line is that these are incredibly sturdy boots of a very high quality. They are called the Guide, I have come to realize, because you almost have to be a guide (doing gnarly stuff EVERY day) for them to make sense for you to own. Tips if you buy these: -Have a good reason to go with such a heavy boot. Construction, trailwork, heavy/daily hiking/mountaineering tasks. -Give yourself a few weeks of daily mellow use to break them in. Wear good socks whilst doing so. I didn't have time to break them in, and regret it. -Get some real insoles. Superfeet or better yet Sole. -Order a size that will allow for a sturdy insole and some thick socks. -Be aware of creasing patterns as the tongue gets situated. The tongue hardly responds to lace tightening when new, but eventually will. Make sure the fold is even on both sides as they begin to soften. -They may pinch/rub the tops of your toes as they fold, but just tough-up and get through it. Won't be forever. -Get a pair of spring-loaded shoe horns or shoe trees to keep in these guns when it's off-season. -Prepare for a lifetime of use, and ridicule from folks using super light boots made of light materials. Their jeering might be right...this boot might be overkill for what you do. I think you know if you are the type of person who needs such a heavy and rock solid boot. These things are not for trail hiking hikers or daytrotters. If you want these just for their looks, they will probably destroy you. I wish I could go and tell the bootmakers in Italy who make these things all the times I've had while laced into these incredible pieces of craftsmanship.
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Reviewed by old man adverturer from Western PA mountains on Tuesday, March 26, 2013With pleasure, I write this review. Thirty years ago and I'm 60 now, I bought a pair of "seriously stout" European boots. It was then that I learned the benefits of a stiff, 3/4 or full shank boot that yes, takes time to break in and requires continued leather care, but it's worth it. I live in the mountains of western PA where I hike and hunt, but I have also been fortunate to have used boots like this one in the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire as well as New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. There is nothing like a heavy-duty European boot to traverse rough terrain. We have lots and lots of hunters and hikers in this area and I honestly don't know how they deal with their flimsy boots; I guess they just don't know better. With regard to the Alico's, I am breaking in my first pair and ordered a second pair as back-ups; by the time they are worn out, I should be ready to be 6 feet under. I am using a mini-smartwool sock as a liner with a heavy sock on top of that. Wear your boots around the house, at the office, up and down steps, etc. I just started light hiking and can tell that they'll be golden. Of course, I put a heavier duty insole in them. The Perwanger leather is just awesome. With both socks on and inside the house, the boot still breathes. Google Perwanger and read about the history of the tannery, as well as the care. I just put my first coat of Natur-Seal that is manufactured by Trondak (google it) and distributed by Red Wing. They also distribute under their name Aqua-Seal. I learned of their products when they marketed the product for Vasque before Vasque moved their production to China. It's a silicone based product; Perwanger is saturated in silicone. This product is approved by Gore-Tex, too, which shows that it does not clog pores. In summary, this boot is not for city-slicker backpacker wanna-be's. It's a serious boot that is built like a brick poop house with quality name-brand products like Perwanger and Vibram and by "real" bootmakers. The boots fit very true to size. I ordered an 11 and 11.5 as I am about an 11 1/4. Sure enough, the 11 was a hair too small and the 11.5 a hair too big, but the insole fixed that plus the worst thing you can do is to have a boot where your toe touches the front as you go down a hill. Try the boot on with the socks that you are going to wear, snug up the shoe strings and push it against a wall and/or walk down a set of steps. Lastly, keep buying from Sierra Trading. They are good folks to deal with. Enjoy
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Reviewed by Stoney from DUBUQUE, IA on Thursday, January 24, 2013I was so pleased with the boots I ordered a second pair, in case this style was discontinued.
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Reviewed by Pensioner from Lehighton, Pa. on Tuesday, January 08, 201350 yrs. ago I backpacked in cheap,plastic-soled, 'mechanics' shoes and dreamed of having boots such as these. Got'em 5 yrs. ago or so. They've spent most of the time in the closet because I began to fear they were tougher and heavier than these old feet and legs could handle. Not to mention the laughter of my grown sons at my Frankenstein walk. No more. 4-5 miles a day this fall/winter has finally broken them in. Heavy sock w liner, moleskin, and lace-tightening variations did the deed. I always loved just holding and admiring the materials and craftsmanship of these boots. Now I love putting them on and walking. They're still heavy, but feel great, and offer good support and toughness on rocky trails. And they're probably the only boots in the closet that are going to easily outlast me.
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Reviewed by jdski from Mountains North of Tahoe on Friday, January 04, 2013This kind of quality is not found elsewhere. The lack of comfort is a pair of good arch supports away. Like a great pair of ski boots they are not complete without a custom pair of insoles. Snow Seal them a few times a year and your feet will stay dry. These boots are to thick and lack feel for driving a automobile. It can be done just not recommended. I wore these all summer long in a high desert lava field working (a bit warm for hot weather). They are still ready for many more years of service. My lesser light hiking boots were shredded in 2-3 days.
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Reviewed by Ryan hunter/hiker from Eastern Washington on Thursday, January 03, 2013Please be careful if you purchase these boots. After doing a lot of research I purchased these boots (My first pair of Alicos). I have been completely dissapointed with the boots. They are very, very stiff. I have probably put in 40 or 50 hours hiking in these boots and can not get them broke in. I have tried a number of techniques and none of them seem to work. The boots are still unusable for most uses. If you are just planning on working around the house or are using them for work they would probably still work. I was taking them hunting and was hiking up steep inclines and declines and they have left me with blisters 2 years in a row. This last year after starting to develop blisters again after 2 hours of hiking I decided to put them up and wear tennis shoes on my hunt rather than wear these boots anymore. The 2 main problems that I had were that they are so stiff they slip in the heal area and it doesn't matter how tight you lace them they will still slip. Mine also developed a crease over the toe box area which bruised the top of my foot. You might be able to break these in over a longer period of time, but I bought them and intended to use them in my lifetime. I would just be very careful and make sure that you either have a lot of time and a great technique to break these boots in or that you are not using them for more extreme hiking.
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Reviewed by Joe Doaks from Portland, OR on Thursday, November 15, 2012My 1st pair of serious boots. (you know they're serious from the red laces :) I'm a big guy, played sports when young, and my ankles are shot. These boots give me the support I need. They are big, clunky, heavy and stiff, which is exactly what I was looking for. Boots are a personal item, and I was hesitant to spend so much sight unseen. These work for me though. Fit well from day one and after just a couple days are actually comfortable. I love them. I can navigate uneven ground like a younger man. Everyone's feet are different, so results may vary, but STP has a great return policy.
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Reviewed by GTinVA from Northern Virginia on Wednesday, November 14, 2012Note about sizing: My feet are slightly wide and most of my shoes & boots are 10, with a couple 10-1/2. Based on a review I read about sizing tending big and narrow, I ordered 9-1/2 Wide and they fit my feet PERFECTLY. So anyway, I've been looking for this particular style of hiking boot ever since I tossed out my Dexter Sitkas in 1982. These are most definitely the real thing, with a vengeance. Stiff? Oh, buddy. Might as well be solid PVC. I'm not a "serious" hiker, so the other reviews will tell you about break-in and durability. Having just now put mine on for the first time, I can tell you they are going to be on my feet a LOT, and for a long, long time. When they're not, I will be admiring them. Beautiful materials, impeccable craftsmanship, and the best boot sole on the planet (in my opinion, anyway). I am a very happy customer.
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Reviewed by Liberty1776 from Enosburg, VT on Saturday, November 10, 2012Ok So I bought these boots after reading a ton of reviews that said nothing but good things. And, the reviews were correct, these are heavey duty, excellently made boots, excellent support, excellent traction. Break in period is slow however, due to the thickness of the 15 year leather, but, you can always try the old military trick and fill them with warm water and let them sit over night and saturate the leather, then wear them till the dry out. Use Nikwax for waterproofing, and Seam Grip for seam sealing. Note: These are not for weak of heart individuals, if you cannot stand a blister, or do not know how to look after your feet, then these are not for you. For all others These are one ++ell of a boot!, I am buying another pair so I will have them for the rest of my life!
- Arch Type: Low Arch
- Best Uses: Day Hiking, Everyday, Harsh Terrain, Heavy Loads, Light Loads, Long-Distance Hiking, Wet Conditions
- Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational
- Pros: Ankle Support, Comfortable, Great Traction, Sturdy/Durable, Water Resistant
- Sizing: Feels true to size
- Was this a gift?: No
- Width: Feels true to width
