I bought this a few months ago. It wasn't my number one choice for a boot, but I've got monster feet and they seemed like the best shoe I could find in my size. First, let me tell you- these things are heavy. More heavy than Asolos. More heavy than Vasques. They're the heaviest boot I've ever seen. And suuuuper inflexible. Like, mountaineering boot inflexible. When you first get them, you walk like Frankenstein 'cause the boot won't bend at all. Even now that they're broken in, I can barely bend the sole even while using both hands.
But let's get to performance. I've walked in these boots a lot. Before I ever took them out, I probably walked 50 miles in them. Then i went and hiked 30 miles in Kings Canyon National Park. Inclines hurt like hell. My heel smashes into the back of this boot every time I take a step on even the slightest incline- not just backpacking up a mountain, mind you, but the smallest tuft of dirt. At the end of the first 7 mile day, I had blisters on the back of my heels. This is with smartwool liner socks and smartwool trekking sicks, mind you, and green superfeet insoles. By the end of the second 7 mile day, the blisters were even worse. So, on the third day, I decided to hike 14 miles back.
I don't think 14 miles is a lot to walk in one day. I've done 20 in other, crappier boots (ie- dunhams), and I never had a problem. By the end of my 14 mile trek back, I had blisters all over my feet. I had them on the tops of my toes, the aforementioned heels, the sides of my feet, the balls of my feet, etc. I had two black toes even though there's plenty of room at the front for my feet. In short, my feet were destroyed.
I've only taken these boots on small hikes since and my heels still hurt going up inclines. I wondered if maybe the boots still weren't broken in, but if I can't break in boots after what I've done to them, then I don't know how to break them in. They're a very high quality boot. The leather is very fine, and they're gusseted all the way up to the top. The tongue and the ankles have the nicest padding I've ever seen on a boot. They run a bit narrow. I ordered a wide for my D sized feet, and they still feel a bit narrow. The vibram soles will serve you well on sharp pointy rocks, but they're a bit slippery on wet stuff. The boots are SUPER waterproof. There was this point on the trail, where 6 inches of snow run off ran down the trail for about 100 yards. I swear, I thought I was hiking in a creek! But my feet never got wet.
But honestly, I wish I would have returned them when I had the chance. I can see how they'd be great for most people, but I don't think they're going to get any more comfortable for me. Oh well, I guess they're going on Craigslist!
