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I have had these boots for under a month, but I have already had them out on the trail and I know they are by far the best outdoor boot I have ever bought.
Upon first inspection, the boots seemed burly and well built. I was concerned because the company is only about three years old, but I now know they know what the heck they are doing with footwear.
Break-in: These things take some pretty hefty break-in, but what would you expect from a boot one step below a mountaineering boot? It looks like the boot will receive crampons, however.
Fit: Initially I bought the boots in my usual size, which is 12. I wore them for a week, then took them on an overnight backpacking trip. The 12s proved to be too small, much to my amazement. I have never had a size 12 not fit in any type of footwear. I took them back to REI and traded them for a size 13, which fit perfectly. There is no heal slip due to a nifty heel lock system.
Waterproof: Yep, they are. I stood in a flowing stream several inches deep for more than 30 seconds. There was no leakage.
Durability: Much of my trip consisted of a very rocky trail with a bit of climbing and scuffing against rocks and cacti. The boots did not show any real signs of wear, even on the out-sole.
Finish: Both pairs have had nearly perfect finish, and they clean up with a wet cloth.
Torsion and Flex: The boot has an incredible amount of torsion resistance. Flex, once broken-in, is pretty good.
Traction and Trail Feel: I did experience a bit of slippage on a very steeply inclined rock while climbing, but I am over 220lbs and had on a backpack. Maybe Spiderman wouldn't have slipped... I did not feel any rocks through the foot bed, which is something I demand from my boots.
Breathability: The back half of the boot is lined with leather, which I am not used to. I have not yet decided if this aids or hinders breathability, but I have been told it should help with it. I do not recall thinking my socks or feet are any more damp than usual, however. The boot seems to hold a good bit of heat even though this model is not insulated. I will be interested to see how they perform in the summer.
Final Analysis: I love these friggin boots. I wear them daily now, and even tried on a low-cut shoe from the same company to wear when working out and riding my bike. The shoes also seemed to fit a bit small, so that would be my only caution when considering footwear from this company. I am pretty durn impressed so far.
I have had these boots for under a month, but I have already had them out on the trail and I know they are by far the best outdoor boot I have ever bought.
Upon first inspection, the boots seemed burly and well built. I was concerned because the company is only about three years old, but I now know they know what the heck they are doing with footwear.
Break-in: These things take some pretty hefty break-in, but what would you expect from a boot one step below a mountaineering boot? It looks like the boot will receive crampons, however.
Fit: Initially I bought the boots in my usual size, which is 12. I wore them for a week, then took them on an overnight backpacking trip. The 12s proved to be too small, much to my amazement. I have never had a size 12 not fit in any type of footwear. I took them back to REI and traded them for a size 13, which fit perfectly. There is no heal slip due to a nifty heel lock system.
Waterproof: Yep, they are. I stood in a flowing stream several inches deep for more than 30 seconds. There was no leakage.
Durability: Much of my trip consisted of a very rocky trail with a bit of climbing and scuffing against rocks and cacti. The boots did not show any real signs of wear, even on the out-sole.
Finish: Both pairs have had nearly perfect finish, and they clean up with a wet cloth.
Torsion and Flex: The boot has an incredible amount of torsion resistance. Flex, once broken-in, is pretty good.
Traction and Trail Feel: I did experience a bit of slippage on a very steeply inclined rock while climbing, but I am over 220lbs and had on a backpack. Maybe Spiderman wouldn't have slipped... I did not feel any rocks through the foot bed, which is something I demand from my boots.
Breathability: The back half of the boot is lined with leather, which I am not used to. I have not yet decided if this aids or hinders breathability, but I have been told it should help with it. I do not recall thinking my socks or feet are any more damp than usual, however. The boot seems to hold a good bit of heat even though this model is not insulated. I will be interested to see how they perform in the summer.
Final Analysis: I love these friggin boots. I wear them daily now, and even tried on a low-cut shoe from the same company to wear when working out and riding my bike. The shoes also seemed to fit a bit small, so that would be my only caution when considering footwear from this company. I am pretty durn impressed so far.
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