These have been great boots.I am on my fourth pair of the Altitude seriesa version I, version II, and now 2 version IVs.All have been good buys for me.The version IV have been the best but all have been good.
First, I have a high arch and have always been hard on any footwear with a tendency to walk on the ''outside'' of my foot.I wear these boots to travel in and work in while traveling.Many a mile in airports, many miles on concrete, gravel, dirt, and inside simulation facilities.When I travel I tend to only take these boots my work rarely requires dress clothes, the boots look good in an open collar work environment, they are comfortable, and taking only 1 pair of shoes does cuts down on packing requirements quite a bit for longer trips (3 weeks or longer in duration).
I have taken these boots on three overseas trips they did well in the Scottish highlands (twice), and London.They did equally well on the beaches of Hawaii, Myrtle Beach, and Cancun.They have done me well in wet and sandhot and cold.
To add to this endorsement, not only am I hard on shoes I am also quite fat these days topping 300 pounds.For my health I maintain a walking routine of 1-3 miles a day whenever possible.When I travel, these boots are also my walking shoes.
In general Hi Tec have always fit me well.I go back 40 or so years to wearing the Lite series of Hi Tecs while I was in my running the Appalachians days.Given my high arches, a tendency for very bad calluses, rebuilt right ankle, 2 knees that varied doctors have wanted to cut on since early Army days, and now my weight I am very picky on shoes.These are the best of the Hi Tec boot types that I have found.
I suspect I have seen the best of my current set of boots maybe six more months or so of regular wear till they become yard work shoes till their final demise.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 (after using new insole inserts a couple of times).They are tough boots.
And I have a back up pair ready to take the place of the current set.
On a down side, these style of boots (in general, not just Hi Tec) are not sturdy enough for doing squats in Power Lifting circles.One needs a higher and stiffer boot than what the modern ilk of hikers provides.This is the only limitation I have found for these boots.
I''m on my 5th or 6th pair of these boots. I''m a meat cutter. I''m on my feet, in the cold for 8 hours a day. My feet are warm, dry, and comfortable. When I wear these out, I''ll buy another pair. End of story.
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I am very hard on soles and have finally worn these out after two years of hard use. These shoes do it alllook nice, keeps water out, and is the most comfortable I have ever worn. I am looking to get the exact same pairbut hard to find on sale anywhere but since the are so nice, they are worth the price.
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I have wide feet and somewhat high arches, which has made finding really good shoes for general wear somewhat difficult.And for that reason, I have stuck with New Balance shoes since my undergraduate days.They are well made, and have versions designed for various activities, including running, cross-training, and walking.And very importantly, they come in widths other than "medium," and provide the maximum benefit to my feet.
Recently on a trip to western North Carolina, I went hiking with a group of friends from the area.I soon found that my best New Balance shoes were not up to the task: the terrain soon overwhelmed them, and as the day went on, their ability to support my 200 lb. body failed.By the end of the day, my feet hurt so bad that I could barely walk.I was told that I absolutely needed to find a good pair of hiking boots if I was going to continue hiking.
I am one of those people who first do a lot of research before I make a new purchase, comparing features, price, availability, technical reviews, and feedback from those who have already made their choice.In the price range I was looking for, the signs all pointed to Hi-Tech.Lots of folks carried them, but Amazon''s price was clearly the best.And so, tentatively, I ordered a pair.
I have now been wearing these boots for three months, and I have yet to put my New Balance back on for everyday use.I still wear business shoes to work, and the New Balance to run in, but the Hi-Tech Altitude IVs are absolutely my favorite.Why?
1.The fit was perfect from the first time I put them on.In fact, I would have to say my feet felt better in them almost immediately.The width was exactly as I needed, and the arch was just high enough to give me full support for a full day and still enable me to do everything I need.
2.They needed no "break-in period" and felt right from the first time I wore them.Even the desert boots I wore in the Middle East needed some period to adjust to my feet and to the way I walk, and the steel-toed work boots I bought from Wal-Mart still hurt my feet (after occasional wear for over a year).But these feel like an extension of my feet and skin.
3.They are waterproof, yet still allow my feet to breathe.Even my kids no longer run out of the room when I take my boots off (which used to be a regular joke around my house).
4.They seem to be wearing like iron.After three months, I cannot see any wear at all, not even negligible amounts.So I won''t be buying another pair for a while.
All in all, these boots have my STRONGEST recommendation.You may find more costly boots, but I challenge you to find any that are significantly better.
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This review is not about the quality of the shoe (which looked quite satisfactory) but about the sizing.
The shoe runs both small and narrow (even though i ordered a wide).
FYIif that happens and you have to return itYou will have to pay for the return shipping to amazon
I bought these sandals in gold and wear them all the time, so decided to purchase the black as well. They are very comfortable (considering that the sole is wood) and extremely stylish.
