... these shoes do fit the bill. ... they do a good job of keeping my feet dry ... They are comfortable and I dont mind being on my feet for 8-10hrs ... They are overall a good way to go.
- M. Draper "amateur graphix dude", on Amazon.com
... used them while hiking in the Rockies this past summer. ... I couldn't be happier. ... totally water proof and do their job well when hiking all sorts of terrain (I was mostly on scree). ... These are now my rainy day shoes.
- RubberShoez, on Amazon.com
THis shoe is indeed waterproof. ... my feet felt not wet at all. ...
... very good price, ... These boots are warm and they appear to be well-padded. ... very good support. ...
- C. Williams, on Amazon.com
... great boots. I am on my fourth pair of the Altitude series ... All have been good buys ... version IV have been the best ... they are comfortable, ... they did well in the Scottish highlands ... They did equally well on the beaches of Hawaii, Myrtle Beach, and Cancun. They have done me well in wet and sand - hot and cold. ... I maintain a walking routine of 1-3 miles a day ... these boots are also my walking shoes. ... I have never worn out the uppers in these boots. I have worn the sole down to a smooth surface and worn out the insides ... They are tough boots. ...
- LT "Sci Fi fan", on Amazon.com
... finally worn these out after two years of hard use. ... keeps water out, ... the most comfortable I have ever worn. ... they are worth the price.
... hiking the Sierras, ... trails are pretty rough, ... These boots held up well, kept my feet dry, and never once caused a blister ... they are great boots!
- docdiamond, on Amazon.com
I live in the desert southwest and wear these boots everyday. ... I am 66 and have gone through a lot of boots in my time. These are the best ever!
I really like these sandals. I've had previous versions by Teva ... If they wear like my previous pair, I expect years of good performance. I would recommend them to anyone.
... I can order through the mail and have fit perfect every time. ... my 3rd pair of Merrell's in 10 years and I've never been let down.
- T. Johnson, on Amazon.com
... my 3rd pair in 5 years of this particular shoe. ... Excellent hiking shoe ... good lateral stability ... incredibly "grippy" soles that will hug the terrain ... Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the outdoors or just wants a really great everyday shoe!
... These boots are simply excellent. ... truly waterproof and i have had ample opportunity to find out. ... extremely comfortable and lightweight. .. rugged, too. Buy these with confidence!!!
- John Verlenden, on Amazon.com
The boots are great. I got them for my husband ... and he loves them. ... I'm very satisfied.
- Kristy Burrell, on Amazon.com
I got the shoes for my husband ... and he loves them! ... these are perfect ... If you want nice shoes without having to worry about getting them too dirty, go with these.
I had a pair of Sundowners about eight years ago, and wore then every day for the next four-and-a-half years. ... finally started to give out. For the next several years, I tried boots from a number of other manufacturers, but none have lasted more than a single year, ... I switched back to the Sundowner Classic this fall. ... Highly recommended.
... these boots are among the most comfortable I've ever warn. ... They show every sign of being as robust and durable as claimed, too, ... Definitely worth the money.
The Vasque Wasatch lives up to its reputation ... I took a brand new pair on a hard hike and rock scramble last weekend with no blisters or other problems. The boots managed to stay completely dry ... a little on the heavy side for a day hiker. ... The quality of the leather uppers appears to be a big step up over boots costing a little less. ... the soles are softer and stick better to bare rock than is usual for a heavier boot. ...
- The Irish Patient, on Amazon.com
... I took them on a 6 mile hike along fairly difficult terrain composed of rocks and wet sand. The boots held up well and felt comfortable the entire time. ... they were ideal for it. ... my feet remained warm and dry the whole hike. ... overall I am very pleased. I had a pair of Montrails before this which pale in comparison, ... I would recommend these to a friend.
... These boots are simply excellent. ... truly waterproof and i have had ample opportunity to find out. ... extremely comfortable and lightweight. .. rugged, too. Buy these with confidence!!!
- John Verlenden, on Amazon.com
The boots are great. I got them for my husband ... and he loves them. ... I'm very satisfied.
- Kristy Burrell, on Amazon.com
I got the shoes for my husband ... and he loves them! ... these are perfect ... If you want nice shoes without having to worry about getting them too dirty, go with these.
I had a pair of Sundowners about eight years ago, and wore then every day for the next four-and-a-half years. ... finally started to give out. For the next several years, I tried boots from a number of other manufacturers, but none have lasted more than a single year, ... I switched back to the Sundowner Classic this fall. ... Highly recommended.
... these boots are among the most comfortable I've ever warn. ... They show every sign of being as robust and durable as claimed, too, ... Definitely worth the money.
The Vasque Wasatch lives up to its reputation ... I took a brand new pair on a hard hike and rock scramble last weekend with no blisters or other problems. The boots managed to stay completely dry ... a little on the heavy side for a day hiker. ... The quality of the leather uppers appears to be a big step up over boots costing a little less. ... the soles are softer and stick better to bare rock than is usual for a heavier boot. ...
- The Irish Patient, on Amazon.com
... I took them on a 6 mile hike along fairly difficult terrain composed of rocks and wet sand. The boots held up well and felt comfortable the entire time. ... they were ideal for it. ... my feet remained warm and dry the whole hike. ... overall I am very pleased. I had a pair of Montrails before this which pale in comparison, ... I would recommend these to a friend.
... I absolutely love them! I trusted the Keen brand because I own 2 other styles. They ... clean up very easily, and are comfortable.
- Kelli B. Schmith "KelliBeth", on Amazon.com
...have worn them several times a week since I received them. This is my fifth pair of Keens. ... very comfortable, with a cushioned footbed, nonslip outsole, and adjustable buckle strap. I can walk for hours across cobblestones & pavement, ... Highly recommended!
Love 'em! Good quality and very supportive and comfy. Could not ask for better. Thank you.
- P. Galore "Shoe Queen", on Amazon.com
I bought a pair of these a year ago. The have quickly become my favorite pair of shoes, ... They are very comfortable!! ... I frequently walked in water, which is why I bought these. They dried out quickly, so I didn't have soggy feet all day. ... I plan to buy another pair in another color.
... these shoes give her awesome support for her no arch feet ... She uses them daily as well as to hike on Colorado trails.
- SAGA "GAAS", on Amazon.com
I got my first pair of Solomon trail runners in 1999 - and I've never bought another athletic shoe since. I ... use them for hiking rough roads and trails ...
The boots are great, ... already walked many miles in them. ... comfortable, waterproof, and have great traction. ... would suggest them to any women that is looking for a nice hiking boot.
- J. Broenner "Jenn B", on Amazon.com
Wow - what a difference between these and my cheap older hiking boots ... the last thing I had to worry about was my feet hurting. ... so comfortable and being lightweight they are great for long treks ... They are waterproof and have a great traction sole ... should last a long enjoyable time.
- Joanneva12a, on Amazon.com
I have already had these boots through deep snow, mud, water, you name it. Never did my feet get wet. ... also give great traction in poor weather.
I am very happy with these shoes. Very well made and durable. I am using them for hiking and so far have been great. I can recomend these ... comfortable and well priced outside hiking boots.
- A Customer, on Amazon.com
I brought three pairs of this boot for my wife and my two daughters for hiking in the Grand Canyon. ... served their intended purpose well. The boot is light weight, but certainly not flimsy, ... as with other Hi-Tec products, is an exellent value. Highly recommended.
This is without question the best shoe purchase I've made, ... great support, solid build, super comfortable ... they are fantastic for longer outdoor walks. The next pair I purchase will definitely be the same brand. ...
... I took good care of them but I wore them a lot ... They wore like iron and were comfortable for hiking. ... my favorite boots ever. ... After almost daily wear during the winter for almost 15 years they finally developed a fatal crack. ... I will now always have a pair of vasque boots.
- Sara W. Lomonaco, on Amazon.com
I loved my Vasque Sundowner Classics! ... provided ankle support and served my well in my college backpacking days along the Blue Ridge Parkway. ... I liked how well constructed they were. No plastic parts to break. ...
... I took good care of them but I wore them a lot ... They wore like iron and were comfortable for hiking. ... my favorite boots ever. ... After almost daily wear during the winter for almost 15 years they finally developed a fatal crack. ... I will now always have a pair of vasque boots.
- Sara W. Lomonaco, on Amazon.com
I loved my Vasque Sundowner Classics! ... provided ankle support and served my well in my college backpacking days along the Blue Ridge Parkway. ... I liked how well constructed they were. No plastic parts to break. ...
The Vasque Wasatch lives up to its reputation ... I took a brand new pair on a hard hike and rock scramble last weekend with no blisters or other problems. The boots managed to stay completely dry ... a little on the heavy side for a day hiker. ... The quality of the leather uppers appears to be a big step up over boots costing a little less. ... the soles are softer and stick better to bare rock than is usual for a heavier boot. ...
The Vasque Wasatch lives up to its reputation ... I took a brand new pair on a hard hike and rock scramble last weekend with no blisters or other problems. The boots managed to stay completely dry ... a little on the heavy side for a day hiker. ... The quality of the leather uppers appears to be a big step up over boots costing a little less. ... the soles are softer and stick better to bare rock than is usual for a heavier boot. ...
What They Must Do: Hiking boots must keep your feet dry, warm (in season), provide arch support, provide traction on wet and dry surfaces, and protect your feet from rough surfaces. Auxiliary to all that, they must fit well, must not rub, must be easy to adjust, must last a reasonably long time, and must keep out rocks and dirt (which can cause blisters). That's it. If you want anything else, such as the latest fashion statement, you may have to pay extra.
Beware of Imitations
Boots that look like hiking boots, but don't have true hiking boot features such as:
Scree collar
Attached tongue
Deep, aggressive tread
Work boots:
Harder, thinner sole offers poor traction on natural surfaces
May be too stiff for hiking and climbing
Waterproofing: Real hiking boots and shoes have the tongue attached at least partway up. They must be constructed of water resistant material (leather or breathable synthetic), and treated with wax or silicone to be waterproof. Don't trust factory waterproofing: Always waterproof your boots before every hike.
Weight: It's a trade-off. Heavier boots make you tired faster, but they generally provide better warmth, better support, and longer wear. Lighter boots, ironically, are better for shorter hikes, where you don't need as much support. If you're looking for a sturdy, warm, long-wearing backpacking boot that doesn't weigh much, you can find them, but you'll have to pay for it. In reasonable cost ranges, expect stronger boots to weigh more.
Support: Ankle support is important only if you have weak ankles, due to congenital condition or injury. If your ankles are of normal strength, you don't need ankle support in your boots. If you do need ankle support, by all means look for it. Otherwise, just look for good arch support, which includes a good "shank," either steel or fiberglass, which prevents you from twisting the sole of the boot. A rigid shank is less important in light hiking shoes and day-hiking boots. The more weight you're carrying, the more arch support you'll need, so look for a good shank in backpacking boots and mountaineering boots.
Traction: Another trade-off. Softer soles offer better traction on rock and ice. Harder soles wear longer. If you're hiking on boulders and rock ledges, you need a softer sole. Expect to replace it from time to time. Look for tread cut at least 2/5 of the thickness of the sole. Look for a sole soft enough that you can dent it with your fingernail, but hard enough that the dent springs back in a second or so.
Fit: Expect to buy a larger size than your normal street shoes. Fit-test the hiking boots while wearing the socks you use while hiking (2 thick pairs for winter), and any insoles or other inserts you need. With the boots unlaced, you should be able to push your foot forward and insert a finger behind your heel. With the boots laced tightly, you should be able to wiggle your toes freely.
Scree Collar: Real hiking boots have a ring of padding around the top that lets you lace the boot tightly without cutting off circulation. The padding lets the boot stay tight enough to keep out loose rocks, even as your ankle and Achilles tendon move. Very high-rise expedition backpacking boots might not have this padding, relying on their height, well above the ankle, to keep out scree.
What About Hiking Sandals? How do hiking sandals keep your feet dry? By letting water out after you step out of a stream. Use hiking sandals under any of three conditions:
Light hikes in known dry, warm conditions.
Light hikes in conditions where getting wet is inevitable.
River crossings during major hikes. Hang your boots from your pack and wear your sandals to wade across. Then switch back to your dry boots.
to be waterproof. Don't trust factory waterproofing: Always waterproof your boots before every hike.