I always buy the GTX Salomons, the Comp 3s or Comp 5s or whatever. I recently purchased a pair of mid-height ones and I hated them, so I wanted to go lower, but keep the Gore-Tex. These are DOPE. The first day I had them, I took them out on the trail, through the mud and ice and snow (I admit it was a bit sad to get mud on that nice blue coloring)... the treads are sick. I was walking on steep pitches, up and down, they are insanely comfortable and fit my ankles at just the right level. I buy men's shoes because I have wide feet, I usually wear a 9.5 and ordered an 8.5 and they are perfect, with a bit of room for thicker socks. Best buy of the year, hands down.