Raichle All-Degree Lite SL Gore-Tex® Mountaineering Boots - Waterproof (For Women)

These boots seem awkward, lightweight, and quite wide.

These are NOT day-to-day hiking boots! They are mountaineering boots, and as such are VERY stiff soled (but surprisingly light-weight for mountaineering boots). This can be awkward to walk in for daily use or casual hiking, but that's not what they are meant for. They are unbelievably comfortable as mountaineering boots - possibly the most comfortable shoe I own straight out of the box, which is saying a lot. I bought them for a summer Cascades mountaineering trip, planning to "break them in" now, but find I hardly have the need. Note that ordered 1/2 size larger than normal to account for thick socks and kicking with crampons - 9 is perfect in these boots where I'm an 8.5 for daily wear shoes.

I ordered these boots for a Teton climbing trip after I couldn't break in Scarpa Summits. These boots were way more comfortable than the Scarpas. I assume that the Raichles run wide b/c I have wide feet and they didn't pinch my toes. I got a 1/2 size up to account for liner socks and thick mountaineering socks, which worked. My only complaint is that on my "training hike" to break these boots in, I got serious bruising over my ankle bones - it didn't feel like there was sufficient padding there. I'm going to try to pad this area with some foam rubber or something. But my feet themselves felt really good, and these boots are very good for most alpine conditions like the Tetons or high Rockies (but not for serious snow like Baker, probably). A great buy for the price.

The fit is great. The ankle is very stiff at first, but then again I have never owned mountaineering boots. I assume this is the norm. These boots are super supportive and have a ton of traction. Definately a lucky find!

This boot would have been perfect had it fit right. It rubbed on my heel no matter what sock or sock liner I tried. I decided to return.