I ordered the clarion to replace a pair of hosed work boots. When they arrived I was pleasently surprised, the boots were more than I had expected, like 2x what I expected. I must say right off the bat, these boots are worth every penny and then some. The footbeds are stiff, as in strong, the tongue and gussets, well, someone finally figured out how to build them right. There is very little break in, they're not going to kill your feet. They are a pleasure to wear all day, as I do. Over all a really great boot, and I'm not nice to my boots, I will be purchasing another set to replace these, maybe before they wear out, to insure I have another set. Oh yeah, about backcountry, my boots arrived early. Try beating that in todays marketplace.