Raichle Ranger Gore-Tex® Hiking Boots - Waterproof (For Men)

As a meter reader I walk 10 to 15 miles a day. They are still new, but I don't ache at the end of the day. Hopefully they will last a long time.

I took these boots on a 3 mile trek through the Southern California foothills. The Vibram sole performed admirably on a variety of terrains and grades. Steep inclines yielded zero slippage. Descents were nearly as competent with minimal traction loss on dry, firm soil. The ankle support was excellent and the gusseted tounge kept all debris from entering the footbed. The boots are confortable out of the box and do not require break-in. I could easily insert my orthotics in them as the toe box is geneous. They are not stiff Alpine boots meant for serious expeditions but are very competent for hiking. The stiff soles were very slippery on wet pavement. Very good boot, I've found a suitable replaced my Eccos!

Listed sizing confusing - had to order 3 different sizes to get it right and they still felt big overall. Stiff in the ankles. Would need some breaking in time. Looked well made but did return them

For those who claim that sizes are too small, NEVER buy hiking boots without trying them on first! And those that say that the soles are too rigid - duh! These are hiking boots for difficult terrain. I bought these shoes in Switzerland for difficult hikes more than a year back, and after hundreds of kilometers through difficult terrain, including snow and rain, I am impressed! I bought them for more than twice the current listed price (and it was on sale then!), so I think it is a bargain as listed. It is completely waterproof (one can walk through water), has excellent ankle support, and great stability on rocky and steep terrain. If your use is for standard terrain on paved/ well treated walkways, then go with a more flexible sole, but this shoe's soles are solid on tough terrain. It's a pity that many US stores don't stock Raichle any more - they make some of the best outdoor gear. It does take time to break in (at least if you plan to go on a difficult hike). So make sure you wear it around town for a week or so. Just yesterday walked up and back almost 3000 feet on a super steep grade, and was amazed at how well these shoes behaved. The sole is guaranteed for 700 km! Get high quality hiking socks to go with it - they are necessary.

Order a size larger, These boots are also slightly narrow. Be patient, they take awhile to get broken in.