Customer Rating: 
Summary: Best Hikers for the Price
Comment: I've done a lot of hiking and backpacking, but I've never made an investment in really "good" hiking boots. Finally I decided it was time when I decided to go on a four day backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail last October. I couldn't afford the higher end boots ($160-250), so I settled on these as it was a brand I knew and they were the cheapest I could find with GORE-TEX and Vibram.
Now, EVERYONE, knows that you never, ever, ever go on a backpacking trip with new boots. Ever. I knew this, so I ordered these well in advance. Unfortunately ShoeMall (whom I ordered from) took a really long time to ship them, and they came less than a day before I had to leave. I didn't really have any choice but to wear them, so I splurged on some Smartwool socks (HIGHLY recommended--backpacking with them is a totally new experience) to try to alleviate the blisters.
Well, I never expected what I got. These boots were very, very comfortable. I have high arches and under-pronate--how they would work for people with other types of feet I can't say, but I suspect it wouldn't much matter.
The boots have good ankle support--not super, but good--and that was all I needed. I'm young and have strong ankles, and I'd rather have less weight than more support. I did sort of twist my foot once on the trip, but I was fine. People who need a lot of support might look elsewhere. This isn't a shortcoming of the product--it's just a characteristic.
The grip is excellent. That's to be expected, they have Vibram. I did slip a few times, but it was on really wet rocks, and it may have been, as my friend put it, a user issue.
As for the waterproofing, well, you could spend $300 and you wouldn't find a more waterproof boot. It rained the first and second days, and I never felt the tiniest drop of dampness. At one point I literally submerged my foot in a river to see if any water would get in. Nada.
Overall these boots have everything I want. They may not be perfect for everyone, but if you don't have special needs (like extra support), this is the best bang you'll ever get for your buck. As I said, I took these on a four day backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail without ever wearing them before. I had a 30 pound pack. On the last day I hiked 17 miles--lots of up and down. I didn't get any blisters. None. At the end of the last day I was starting to get a small hotspot on one foot, but that was all. I'm not suggesting you take these backpacking without breaking them in, but these are as comfortable as you'll get. Just make sure you invest in some good wool hiking socks as well.
