ok, I received the Lowa Baffin Pro's leather lined yesterday. Absolutely beautiful boot and beautifully constructed. Looks like they'd survive nuclear fallout. Pretty darn stiff soled, just about perfect in my estimation. Not as stiff as my Kenetrek Mountain Guides, but a very good all around backpacking boot stiffness in my mind. I like the lower height of 8" for an all around boot and early season. I love the lacing system, really feels like you can crank down with these.....eyelets in all the right places. Maybe the swivel point anchor at the flex of the ankle is as big of a deal as they make it out to be. It feels like I can really lock my heel in ~however, I'm finding I'm getting some heel slip for my narrow heel. These boots are not cushy by any stretch - very firm but still comfortable. The soles are about average density - pretty firm. I've gotten where I really like the Crispi softer composition rubber that really grips and so far - about a year - has held up great.
Kind of puts me in a conundrum since the heel cup is a little wide for me and I'm getting a little more heel slip than I'd like. They might break in and I might could make them work, but I'm a little apprehensive. Plenty of good boots out there, just seems like leather lined uninsulated boots are a dying breed. I got a fair deal on these but still, not dirt cheap by any stretch of the imagination. They just might just have to go back. I'll try them a few more days around the house and see how it goes. Anyway, those are my initial impressions.
I really want to make these boots work, but they just might not be the ones for my feet.