Years of backpacking, years of pain, years of $$ spent on fancy boots with fancy sales pitches--favorite, the description of the 'aggressive tread' of one model-almost scared me! Finally found a way to move back to Colorado 15 years ago and also got my first pair of Cresta Hikers--three pairs later (I still have them all, but, for me, the Gore-Tex will wear around the toe box eventually and compromise the waterproof seal), I'm about to buy another. I'm actually only buying them because they are on sale, not because I really need them right now-but because I know I always will. As I get a little older, I can still hike like a younger woman--thanks in part to my Crestas! Thank you LLBean.
I am extremely hard to fit and have had to throw away many boots. These fit perfectly and, after breaking them in, I have worn them for years of hiking and multi-day backpacking trips. They are heavier than partly fabric boots, but the comfort is worth it. Totally waterproof even after a dunking (unintended!). I highly recommend them for any serious hiker.
These boots would be great for hiking and heavy brush yard work. They are also attractive. They come up a bit too high around my ankles for my liking however as they are very stiff and sturdy and interfere with ankle movement.
I bought these boots about three years ago; I was in college and had to walk to campus every day. I was getting frustrated in the winter and during rainstorms because my feet kept getting wet and frozen. I wanted a comfortable waterproof boot that I could use to walk to class and also for general hiking all year round. I came across these on the LL Bean website and really liked the look of them. Being naive and never having bought hiking boots before I ordered my size right off the website, and when they arrived they were perfect! The combination leather and gor-tex materials make them waterproof and yet breathable in the summer. I have walked through snow and slush without getting wet or cold. Rain, puddles, mud, streams - nothing gets in unless the water comes in over the top. Fantastic traction, they work well on wet surfaces and are relatively good on ice. They are great throughout the year and are comfortable and stylish enough even for everyday casual use.
