I wear orthotics and breaking in new mountaineering boots in the past has been a long and painful experience - complete with boot stretching and burnishing. Not so with these boots! After only one 5 mile off-trail hike and one day of snowshoeing in them I apprehensively wore my new Makalu's on a long and arduous weekend mountain adventure involving carrying heavy loads over a mixed route with a lot of deep wet snow. They were great on the approach - handled my step in cramps with no problems - and I wasn't limping at the end of it. Warm and toasty - no leaks - comfortable and all with only maybe 12 hours of break-in. Nice....!
BT in Reno