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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very comfortable and a good value, August 25, 2009
This review is from: Hi-Tec Men's Natal Mid WP Light Hiking Shoe (Apparel)
I've not been much of a hiker but was invited to go on a 50 mile weeklong backpacking trip with some friends in California's Emigrant Wilderness (it turned out to be just over 60 miles in the end!). My main criterion in choosing boots was that they be sturdy, waterproof, and not too expensive (purchasing for your first real backpacking trip is expensive).
And they held up very well considering how rough the trail was - climbing over rocky passes, areas with lots of loose rocks (and even some deep sand), some muddy meadows, and wading across several small streams. Even though my feet were often tired and burning after 9 or 10 mile days, I never felt uncomfortable with these boots. And they were comfortable right from the beginning, as I only wore them an evening or two (to break them in ostensibly) prior to starting the hike. The only wear and tear visible (other than a complete covering of dust right now) is some slight separation of the rubber sole on the toe of the left boot, but only a couple of millimeters. My brother-in-law, who was also on his first big backpacking trip, experienced similar sturdiness with the same shoes although he developed several large blisters (I had none). The only explanation I can find - we both wore both thin dry liners and thick wool socks - is that his feet are perhaps a bit smaller and narrower than mine (or maybe he's just a bigger wimp than I am!), but otherwise a very good hiking boot for the price.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Affordable and dependable, September 9, 2010
I bought these from sports authority for my first back country backpacking to Yellow Stone. I just wore them for a day or two before the hiking.
These shoes are really great for the price. Only problem I faced was the lack of cushion at the base. Otherwise these are great boots.
I suffered no blisters and even the shoes still look in good shape after 5 days of wear and tear.
I walked almost 13 miles on a single day.
Also they are truly waterproof as I crossed several streams without a drop of water on my feet.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The good and the bad, October 17, 2011
This review is from: Hi-Tec Men's Natal Mid WP Light Hiking Shoe (Apparel)
I've purchased this shoe twice in the past 2 years. If you want a comfortable hiking shoe that's waterproof AND don't expect it to last beyond 6-8 months this is a great buy. I was looking for some shoes/boots that were inexpensive for my daily walk in the woods with my dog. The path we travel has some steep slopes and rainy days turn parts of the trail into mud puddles, so I needed a shoe that had good treads and would keep my feet dry. This shoe fit the bill. After about 6 months the sole (which was initially very firm) got very soft so I began to feel all the rocks on the trail. Shortly after that the shoe laces began breaking and the toe end of the sole separated from the canvas part of the shoe. I immediately ordered a new pair of the exact same shoe. I figured it must be a fluke that all of this happened around the same time. Well, not so much. The second pair pretty much followed the same life cycle. So, again, they start out great. Just don't expect them to last long and you'll be fine.
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