I purchased these boots two years ago with points that I had earned. I've put about 200 miles on them since then, and each time I wear them I fall more in love! It took a few wears to understand how to set the tension w/r/t the laces - I was tying them too tight at the top and my feet would start to go numb after about an hour. Once I set the laces to be more loose, it was perfect. I mostly hike around rocky terrain and through water, and these keep your feet protected and dry.
This review is for the women's Cresta hikers. I am a traditionalist and like hiking boots with full leather uppers. I have been looking at these boots for about the past year, and when the sole split open on my Vasque Sundowners a few weeks ago, decided to make this expensive purchase. The boots are, as one would expect with leather boots, stiff when you get them, but I hiked 4 miles up and down some steep hills in the Adirondacks on the first day I wore them, and my feet did great! I usually wear between a 7.5 and 8 - these run large. The 7.5 fits very well and especially on the down-hill, my toes had plenty of room in the toe box and were not getting jammed. Traction on the vibram soles is good, as expected. I also like the fact that I could order in different widths - medium is a great fit for my not narrow, not wide feet. The ankle supporting portion of the boot is a bit taller and snugger than my last pair of boots - takes a bit of getting used to, but I like the extra support.
I'm hoping that these boots hold up well over time, as that was the main disappointment with my last pair of non-LLBean boots. Bean's excellent warranty is part of what made me switch to this boot, given the expense.
The boots arrived with a second set of laces. Nice touch.
So far, I'd say they are worth every penny. However, it is a lot of pennies! Thus my 4 rather than 5 star review (plus, I'm holding out until I see how they do over time).
This is my second pair of boots. I purchased my first pair 2 years ago. I couldn't be happier with this boot. It is hard to find a boot that comes in a size narrow. The boot is well made with very good support. It's was a little heavy feeling the very first time I wore them, but I quickly got use to this and knowing my feet are protected no matter what type of terrain I walk on. I walk every day and have these boots on as little as 2 hours and as long as 10 hours. Thanks LL Bean for carrying an excellent boot in a size narrow.
BREAK THESE BOOTS IN BEFORE YOU WEAR THEM ON A LONG HIKE!!
The leather on the tongue was very stiff on my pair and actually left bruises on my ankles the first few times I wore them. Thankfully, an LL Bean employee showed me some alternative lacing strategies to alleviate this issue as I broke in the boots-- my secret is to lace up the regular laces, then start at the highest set of hooks and work my way down the ankle hooks.
The saving grace on these babies, however, is the tread and resulting stability. Went on a 7 mile hike that involved a lot of gravel-covered surfaces, both flat and hilly. There was no slipping, no turned ankles, no lost footing. I'm incredibly klutzy, so I was surprised to have made it through the hike without falling. Unfortunately, the boots rubbed my heels and left me some great blisters. Again-- make sure you break the boots in really well prior to anything longer than 4-5 miles!
