Backpack Hunter
WKR
Obviously, shoes/boots are a very personal fit so I am just going to relay my experience with these hikers.
To begin with I have a long, slender foot with toes like fingers, and a long arch that's on the lower side of things. The Salewa's have a nubuck upper, with a gore tex liner, lacing beginning around the toes, and a tightening heel cup.
The gore tex has done it's job, the nubuck has showed no real signs of damage, and the lacing really allows you to get a nice fit. It comes with a fairly aggressive Vibram sole that is normal Vibram quality, with a slightly sticky feel even when wet or cold. The rubber over the toe area has taken a bit of a beating, but still looks to be in good shape.
I purchased the Salewa's at the beginning of the year. I used the same process to break these in as any other boot that I have bought. Basically consists of walking around in them all day every day. I average around 7-8 miles a day. They took around a week to break in, which basically means they did not feel stiff anymore. During the break in period I never noticed hot spots or foot discomfort at the end of the day. I currently have over 200 (not counting break in) backpacking/hunting miles on these boots without a single blister. Having said that I can't remember the last time I have ever had a blister. Either way Salewa does have a 30 day blister free return policy.
While not the lightest boot out there by any stretch the Salewa's have proven themselves to me to be quite durable, as mentioned over 200 miles on them, still waterproof, and quite comfortable. These boots have seen a pretty wide range of Colorado mountains, New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia swamps, and North Carolina mountains. Snow, rain, rocks, mud, clay, cactus, holly bushes, thorns, dead falls, standard trails, well maintained horse trails, and even a bit of asphalt, they have fared well in all environments.
I don't normally take pictures of my shoes, but I managed to find a couple.
Colorado, roughly 80 miles of backpack/hunting use.
North Carolina mountains, roughly 160 miles of backpack/hunting use.
Taken today in my house using the flash, hopefully shows current condition well.
To begin with I have a long, slender foot with toes like fingers, and a long arch that's on the lower side of things. The Salewa's have a nubuck upper, with a gore tex liner, lacing beginning around the toes, and a tightening heel cup.
The gore tex has done it's job, the nubuck has showed no real signs of damage, and the lacing really allows you to get a nice fit. It comes with a fairly aggressive Vibram sole that is normal Vibram quality, with a slightly sticky feel even when wet or cold. The rubber over the toe area has taken a bit of a beating, but still looks to be in good shape.
I purchased the Salewa's at the beginning of the year. I used the same process to break these in as any other boot that I have bought. Basically consists of walking around in them all day every day. I average around 7-8 miles a day. They took around a week to break in, which basically means they did not feel stiff anymore. During the break in period I never noticed hot spots or foot discomfort at the end of the day. I currently have over 200 (not counting break in) backpacking/hunting miles on these boots without a single blister. Having said that I can't remember the last time I have ever had a blister. Either way Salewa does have a 30 day blister free return policy.
While not the lightest boot out there by any stretch the Salewa's have proven themselves to me to be quite durable, as mentioned over 200 miles on them, still waterproof, and quite comfortable. These boots have seen a pretty wide range of Colorado mountains, New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia swamps, and North Carolina mountains. Snow, rain, rocks, mud, clay, cactus, holly bushes, thorns, dead falls, standard trails, well maintained horse trails, and even a bit of asphalt, they have fared well in all environments.
I don't normally take pictures of my shoes, but I managed to find a couple.
Colorado, roughly 80 miles of backpack/hunting use.
North Carolina mountains, roughly 160 miles of backpack/hunting use.
Taken today in my house using the flash, hopefully shows current condition well.
