I ordered my Cresta Hikers on Sunday, got them on Tuesday. Today is Wednesday and I just came back from my first hike in my new boots. It is as though I have been hiking in them for years. The comfort is phenomenal - right out of the box. The fit is perfect (I have wide feet and high arches) and I love the look of them. As I hiked I reveled in the stability of the platform on the trail which was steep in places and rutted with a lot of loose rock. I love the way they look with my black levis too, but looks are secondary to function and comfort. They are winners in every area. LLBean has done it again - but then I never doubted it for a minute, which is why I ordered from them in the first place.
The bet things about these boots: - wonderful fit for wide feet/narrow heel - excellent support and durability - waterproof
Worst things: Not any, Note: if your heel is VERY narrow, then try tying the boots firmly at the very last shoe lace loop to prevent slipping
I have wide feet and am rough on boots, but these boots solve both problems
Normally, I avoid buying shoes online because I have a narrow heel and wide toe box. Cresta Hikers fit me very well and only need a small breakin - compared to other leather wide shoes that normally need to stretch for months before they fit.
I have hiked many long trips in both snow, sand, rocks, and woody areas and these boots are wonderful. So far, after 8 years, I have only had to replace the foot pad on the inside because the rest of the boot is in excellent shape.
They provide excellent support and protection even in places with a lot of rock scrambling. Plus, they are very light.
The leather quality seems to be very good because scratches don't make the boots unsightly. Despite a lot of wear and tear, the exterior toebox still looks ok (although chewed up).
On my third pair of these. Boots have carried me through Iceland, New Zealand, and Alaska and performed as well as boots that cost twice as much. The Goretex waterproofing tends to break down, but the all-leather boot can be easily waterproofed with beeswax (Sno-seal). Boots break in easily, but remain stiff under pack loads up to 40 pounds. A very tough, and relatively cheap tramping boot.
