It had been years since I shopped for hiking/work boots, so I did a lot of online research before making my decision. Everything that I read about the Cresta hikers was positive. I kept looking for the negative reviews, but they weren't there. Finally I made the purchase last year. These boots provide everything that I need. They fit well, are supportive at the ankles, give excellent traction, look great, and will probably outlast me. So far all of my purchases at LLBean have been absolute winners!
I initially found the boots to be uncomfortable with the socks I had at the time. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to use mid-weight and heavy-weight Cresta hiking socks in store. These boots are definitely intended for use with heavyweight socks and preferably a sock liner as well. The comfort level and ankle support with these socks is exceptional. In lighter socks, the ankle support can cause abrasion and be quite annoying. Luckily, my intended backpacking trip was in winter. The boots were brilliant. I put them through some of my state's most difficult terrain. They still look like new and have saved my feet from becoming drenched in water well below freezing during stream crossings. If you have the opportunity, try them on at a store, especially if embarking on a serious backpacking trip.
I've had my L.L. Bean Cresta's for two weeks. Upon opening the box, I was immediately struck by the impressive craftsmanship and the smell ... the smell of leather! I wore the boots for three days at the office breaking them in. Since then, I have been on 3 hikes at Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness, Tulsa (2, 4 and 7 miles) and Elk Mountain Ascent, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Ft. Sill (2 miles). I am very pleased with the combination of comfort and ruggedness of the boots. Said hikes were moderate to strenuous and were a good test for the boots. I have been hiking for 48 years ( I am 60 years old) since my first 10 mile hike to fulfill the requirements for 2nd Class Rank in Boy Scouts. Since 1972 I have purchased the best I could afford in hiking boots. I know quality and these boots are definitely in that class. I debated about a month between the Crestas and others before I made my decision. I read the reviews about the Crestas and finally made up my mind. I am pleased and recommend these boots for purchase by others not sure they want to "plunge in". They fit me true to size (9.5 D). Interaction with L.L. Bean was painless and shipping was fast. The brown and green laces provided look good but not as cool as the blue parachute cord I use for laces.
I have had a pair of these boots for more than 10 years. I have good and bad news to report.
On the good news, when new, they are excellent boots. Almost never gave me a blister. Never twisted my ankle in them. The soles never wore threw.
However, they did not stay waterproof. As time went on, even with gortex in them, water definitely worked its way in.
The rubber around the base separated over time and I think this is where water started coming in. It didn't take much of a gap there. If there's one thing I would change on this boot it's that the rubber around the edge should come up a bit more around the edge and/or be stitched or reinforced into the leather in some way rather than just glued. The glue just is not durable over time. If you are careful, when you see this starting to separate, it might be a good idea to nip it in the bud and reglue it with some good silicon glue used in bathrooms.
Second point, the insole that came with it was really not great. Good thing it is easily removable. I replaced it with one of those insoles that mold to your foot made of memory foam and this really did the trick.
Lastly, the leather in my shoe definitely cracked over time. Be warned that this is a real leather shoe and you should apply leather treatment to it. I did this only a little, probably not enough, or I used the wrong product.
However, all things considered, I did get 10 or so years out of these boots and I put probably 1000miles on them if not more!
