Alico Summit Backpacking Hiking Boots (For Men)

Daily hiker and backpacking. Great comfort and stability; once they're broken-in.

After having the toe cap go out on a couple of backpacking boots I was looking for a 1 piece leather boot. The Alico fits the bill and then some. The craftsmanship is top notch and I can see these lasting for many years to come. As they're leather they need to be weather treated and the break in period is rather long but you'll be rewarded with a boot built like a tank that is suitable for those week long heavy backpacking trips.

As long as they keep making them, I will continue to buy them. I have run four pair of these into the ground and continue to use them for a combination of Northeast hiking and timber work. If you like a full leather boot that forms to your foot these are the ones. No frills but that is the beauty.

As an inhabitant of the great (wet/cold/rough) PNW by choice, boots are as important a choice as one can make, assuming the choice to do anything outside has been made. "Light" will rarely cut it here, as our summers are very short, and even when it isn't cold, it's usually wet. The only flat terrain is liquid - everything else is some degree of vertical, and all of it is made entirely of rock ranging from bus sized boulders to endless scree slides. Being cheap by nature, it was a long process choosing the boots I'll be wearing the next 10 years or so, even at the great prices at STP. My last pair were salomons, and they came from STP also, and have survived over 5 years with periodic repairs. As I get older, I have gravitated to heavier socks, and the salomons were just a touch tight in the width, heavier and stiffer, and more mountaineering-oriented than I care to remain. They've found a good home on my son, and we're both very pleased. (Let the young guys climb the rocks - I'll take the pictures.) I ordered these a 1/2 size bigger than my old pair to allow for cushy socks. I primarily got these due to their being the last leather lined, non-plastic, non-gaudy, sewn-on good old fashioned vibram montagne soled boots I could find for under $400, which is more than double what I'd ever be willing to pay. I grew up at timberline in Colorado, and I still remember the screaming feet from breaking in the old waffle-stompers we loved back in the 70's, and these remind me, but in a much more refined, gentler way of how long it can take. A week or more is a conservative estimate if you wear them all day, and do so on a variety of terrain. They are old-school tough, extremely well made, sturdy as all get out, and (I think) quite nice looking - understated but obviously of high quality. Think Carhartt logging jeans - not anything you'd see in GQ, but something you love and would want to be wearing when/if the zombies come. They may not be designer wear, but you'll never have to waste a moment's thought on whether or not they'll do their job. Functional perfection, and the definition of durability. They aren't hard-core mountaineering boots, and I'd hate to spend all day kicking toe holds with the wide noses they have, but as an all-around, actually wearable and useful boot, I don't think they have any competition. Good lace lock so you can adjust for up or downhill travel, good heavy leather that will soak up about half a jar of sno-seal, stitching looks solid, sole is perfect for my terrain, and the leather lining (once they're broken in) makes them feel like soft, fluffy slippers - albeit heavy slippers. Excellent rock protection, great ankle support, and with a good insole, plenty of toe wiggle room and zero heel slip. Even the break in period is blister free with the leather lining. The only drawbacks are that you do need to buy a good insole (if you wear them 18/7 like I do), and they are SO tough it will take a while to beat them into not looking like brand new boots. Like the old day's stompers, the more beat up they get, the better they'll look, and the more you wear them, the better they feel. I wouldn't use them in heavy snow, just due to the height of the collar, but for everything else, even though they're still new, they already perform like an old friend. No regrets.

the boots were well made and very sturdy. unfortunately they just didn't fit me. as I have a sierra trader close I returned the boots (by mail) and chose another pair at the store. it was easy to return which is why I trust choosing one of their products

Well, these have a zillion reviews so here's one more. I bought them as replacements for my Asolo TPS when the sole was done for. Overall, very pleased with the quality of the leather, sole and other materials. Top notch. Mine arrived with a few loose ends and the inside of the boot feels too big, so I think construction is not the best. It's like there is too much space between the top of my foot and the boot (not the length). Layering thick socks fixes the problem but limits usefulness for me. I'll see how they break in and wether I can tighen the toe box more, but my Asolo's had a better fit out of the box.

Comfortable Italian leather boots. I changed the laces to leather and the insole to a green superfeet insole. Perfect addition to my shoes collection :)

Combine with green Superfeet for a superlative general purpose hiking and backpacking boot. Outstanding fit and finish. I'd buy a spare pair but I'm not sure I can wear these out within a few years. Value approaches the [$] range. Highly recommended.

I just purchased my 3rd pair of these boots. I use them 200+ miles a year through extreme conditions and each pair has lasted at least 3 years. The best hikings boots I have used.

The only negative is that not made in USA.