More Information
 On: 2005-05-23
I bought these boots this past winter and have been breaking them in on local very steep dayhikes in the Sierra Southmost.
They are roomy in the toe, but--just luck here--they were snug enough in the sides in D width to be very good on the downhill. No toe jam, but thats without a pack.
With a heavy pack, a trip into the Grapevine Mts. of Nevada (the NE rim of Death Valley) in late March went well. These boots have a nylon shank and it provided adequate support for cross-country hiking with a 60-pound pack. Snow conditions were excellent--packed, but just soft enough to kick steps, and so the summit of Wahguyhe Peak was a piece of Baked Alaska. I varied my trip out to take a very steep descent and again had no toe pain (though again without a real backpack).
At this stage, the boots are still quite waterproof and I plan to give them a real workout in the Olympic Mts. of Washington this summer. Why not 5 stars? The jury is still out on descents with a heavy pack, but beyond that is the issue of price. I just cannot see paying the MSRP of $200+ for these boots. They probably cost $50 or less to manufacture, and I wouldnt be wearing them if I hadnt gotten a deal from an outlet store. It angers me that backpacking and even hunting is now seen as just some urban rich dude activity, and there is a gleeful collusion on the part of manufacturers. I should enjoy these boots, because they will be the last pair of them Ill ever own. Workboots with plastic bags are the wave of the future!
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