I found myself at the top of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire in 70 miles per hour wind with the temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit in my Gore-Tex Cresta Hikers. My feet could not have been in better care. Nothing could penetrate them. The 4.2 mile hike down over uneven terrain of granite rocks and bolders kept my ankles secure. My feet stayed dry with no slipping through ice melted, wet areas. My first pair of hiking boots are the best with no soreness from my feet after the hike.
I went on a 3 week hiking and camping trip to the northwest in June where it rained 17 out of 21 days. I wore these boots every day and I am not exaggerating or lying when I say my feet were the only ones in the whole group (16 people) that stayed dry the ENTIRE TRIP! I believe the boot's construction using a single piece of leather for most of the foot, thereby minimizing seams and potential leaks, was the key to keeping my feet dry. The traction was great as well. Whenever I talk about my trip to friends, I always mention the rain and that my feet stayed dry the entire trip. I would definitely recommend spending the money for these boots to guarantee a comfortable trip in wet weather.
As a mother of 2 boys (one with Autism) I spend a lot of time out doors. I have 2 pairs of these boots, soon to be 3. The old ones are for the garden. They go everywhere in all seasons. Snow, water, hiking around the Zoo. They are the most comfortable practicle shoe out there. They last forever. I love that I can jump in puddles and my feet stay dry. They are all day comfort. I call them my uniform. The hiking socks are fantastic as they wick moisture off your skin and your feet stay cooler and more comfortable then with tennis shoes. These go with everything. I love them. Get past the price on the boots and socks, they are worth the $$. They are the tops (like all bean products) in quality.
These boots are awesome! I used to have to duct tape my heels to keep from getting blisters with my old boots, but I wore these straight out of the box on a trip and had no problems whatsoever. Sometimes my feet do get wet inside the boots, but it's always been water from the inside, not the outside (i.e., sweat, not rain). They've got a lot of miles (some on sharp lava rock) on them and are still in good shape. I still think it's best to try them on before buying, though, because the shape of your foot can influence comfort and blister levels a lot!
