My husband and I bought these boots for our Camino - a long backpacking trip across Spain. Unbelievably, we just did not have time to break them in at all, other than trying them on and walking around the block - so there we were, crossing the Pyrenees in brand-new boots. But our Cresta Hikers were comfortable that first day and for the whole 500 miles. There are hiking boots that are lighter, but many times we were grateful for the extra support and stability that these boots gave us, in a variety of conditions. We couldn't have been happier with them. (And they are still good for quite a few more miles!) Thank you, LLBean!!
My first pair of hiking boots was great and lasted for about ten years. When it was falling apart, I bought an identical pair to replace them. But this pair did not work very well - I heard that the company had switched the supplier. On one hike my feet had so many blsters that it took me an hour to limp a mile.
I bought a pair from LL Bean at $99. It has canvas and very stiff leather. It worked OK on my first hiking trip. On my second one, after a 16 mile hike on a very hot day, my feet swelled so much and got terrible blisters. I hiked in pain for the rest of the trip. I think it's because the stiff leather did not accommodate my wide feet.
So I bought this pair of Cresta. I wore them while carrying the $99 pair with me in the car as a backup plan. But my Cresta worked like a wonder. After hiking 60 miles on very rugged terraine (including going up to Wheeler Peak), I did NOT even have a single blister!!
I have very wide feet. I bought 6D Cresta. This obviously is the best pair in the world for me. I am ready to buy another pair to stock up - just in case LL Bean changes suppliers.
I also want to buy my husband a pair. He has wide feet. too.
Trust me. For wide feet, these are the BEST boots you will ever find. I think it's because the Italians use high quality leather. Not all leather is the same.
I love these boots and had them stretched 3 times to fit my wide foot. I am sure there are other woman with wide feet out there. I would gladly pay twice as much for a truly wide woman's boot!
I just returned from Yellowstone tracking Grey Wolf and Grizzly Bear in the Lamar Valley. Without a doubt these will be the only shoes I will EVER buy again. Great comfort, outstanding support, and when we crossed shallow creeks my feet stayed pretty dry. The long hike out of the valley my feet remained comfortable. After 4 long tracking days not even a hint of a hot spot or blister. If you don't love these shoes, I would be mighty surprised!!
