Snowbird's Pass (Mount Robson Provincial Park, B.C.), elevation 2,408 m (7,898') - Cresta Hikers on the left!
I felt a bit of trepidation when I purchased these boots over 10 years ago. There are no LLBean stores in Alberta so an online purchase was my only option. I think a hiker is only as good as their feet so the prospect of buying boots without even trying them on went against all my instincts. I have to thank one of my University professors who unwittingly coerced me into making this purchase. In his business class, he explained how LLBean has one of the best "satisfaction guaranteed" policies out there - that sealed the deal for me! Once I put these boots on, I never looked back! They have have dragged me up countless mountains on hiking and backpacking trips and spent many seasons lugging me through forests for field work. They have safely led me up twisiting trails of sliding, broken shale... they have helped me tightrope my way across wet logs 10 feet above the forest floor... they have withstood the rigours of countless ATV rides through muck, sloughs and rivers... they have dug countless beds and fish ponds in my gardens over the years and still these boots don't give up! They have been unbelievably comfortable from the moment I tried them on and if I make the effort to brush the mud off, they still look good enough to wear around town. These boots are an incredible buy!
Felt like ski boots the first two times I wore them around the house. Kept reading the reviews about "fit right out of the box". Not true for me, but then I put them on in the morning rather than evening. Felt better so I decided to keep them. Glad I did. Two days of yard work and my feet are feeling good. I knew L L Bean wouldn't disappoint me....
These boots are smooth! I put them on with the Cresta socks and they fit like a dream...no pinch, no rub....snug, but not too snug. Plenty of room in the toe box too.
I am on my second pair of Cresta hikers, after wearing a pair out after 10+ years. The fit is perfect and there is no breaking in, at least for me. I am so glad that Beans did not try to 'improve' on a great hiking boot!
