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You don't like limits, and you don't want to sit down to change your shoes every time the terrain changes. The Salewa Men's Alp Trainer Mid GTX Hiking Boots combine the lightweight comfort of hikers with the technical features of aggressive approach shoes. Burn through the miles on the flats or scramble to the base of a vertical face. Either, way your Alp Trainers are ready to move.
Gore-Tex membrane keeps water out and lets your feet breathe so your feet stay dry and blister-free
Multi-Fit Footbed technology gives you a perfect fit and accounts for the length, width, and the height of your feet
Salewa's 3F system works with the natural bio-mechanics of your feet to allow maximum range of movement and complete support
KEVLAR® rands give you durable protection from abrasive rocks and increase your grip when your hike starts to look more like a climb
Extended lacing runs through the toe boxes to give you a customized fit
Anatomically positioned steel wire transfers the laces' support around your entire feet and keeps your heels from slipping
Vibram Hike Approach soles gives your feet great traction even on slippery surfaces
I really wanted to like these. I have very narrow feet so it's always hard finding boots that fit. These have exceptional quality lightweight build to them but if you wear a size 11.5 or 12...or anything bigger, you're out of luck. I usually wear an 11.5 or 12 depending on brand. I tried both and they were still too small. When I asked if they had a 12.5, they said they don't make them any bigger. Too bad, I think these would have been perfect for my narrow feet. They do seem to run extra small though so 11.5/12 is more like a 12.5/13 in these...which they don't make.
Has any one who had heel blisters had experience with Fugitives?
I
Has any one who had heel blisters had experience with Fugitives?
I had a similar experience to a lot of other users, in that I loved everything about the boot but kept getting blisters, even on short hikes, as a result of the hard heel. I've never really been blister prone, and would hate to end up with another pair of boots I can't use so looking for a comparison.
Did all of that. Even broke them in for a few weeks before hitting the trail, problem is the heel is VERY hard and doesn't provide any give when on an incline.
I had high expectations for these boots, but was very disappointed. The hard and stiff heel cup in these boots gave me terrible blisters withing the first two miles of wearing these boots. These boots chewed up my heels. I had purchased two different sizes to make sure I got the right size, but to no avail. They tore me up. Very disappointing for a boot that claims to be "blister proof". The thing I found odd is that I am not prone to blisters, but these boots tore up my heels. I have been hiking and backpacking for 30 years under all kinds of conditions and I have never experienced something like that. As I went back and read more of the reviews, I realize I am not alone. These boots seem to affect many people the same way. I could not recommend these boots.
Same exact problem. Unfortunately, I bought them on a road trip and can't return them. Interestingly, mine worked fine for a number of day hikes (up to 15 miles) before I threw on a pack. Ended up having to finish the last day in crocs—14 mi with a 30# pack in crocs is awful, in case you were wondering.
I have the same problem. I don't know what to do with it!? I'm wondering if I could return them, because I have 1 year waranty on blister..? What do You do with it?
Can these be used for long hikes with a backpack? My first impression
Can these be used for long hikes with a backpack? My first impression was that they are built more like a rock climbing shoe. I got the 9.5. Most footwear is a bit big in 9.5 for me. These were very tight. My big toe mound was under a lot of pressure. It's weird since I always had problems finding tight enough footwear for my low instep. Now sure should I try a 10 or these shoes are just not for me?
Try 10 or this shoes r not for you...If you go backpacking with a havy pack the a havy boots to save your foots and legs if not this shoes can b good for you
I initially read about these "guaranteed blister free" boots in backpacker magazine. I was excited to get these boots for my JMT trek this summer, but my first hike of 15 miles in these boot had me reaching for the moleskin inside of the first three hours on the trail. The fit was great, but the wired hard & stiff heel cup produced quarter-sized blisters on both feet. I have been hiking and backpacking frequently for over 50 years, and have not had a blister problem like this in decades. Hugely disappointed, I cannot recommend these boots to anyone
I tried the Alp Trainers because I use the Salewa Raven mountaineering
I tried the Alp Trainers because I use the Salewa Raven mountaineering boots & love them. Out of the box, I've worn them all over the mountains on single & multi-day climbs. Seemed the Alps would be perfect for me. However, the heels are EATING me up. I've got several hot spots & the start of blisters on both heels. I've tried lacing them up several times & I've played with the dual footbed. I've tried them w/ just wool socks & also with a liner as well.
I can say I'm REALLY surprised given my experience with my Ravens. Inspecting the two boots, seems the Alp Trainer is very narrow in the heel compared to the Ravens & guessing this is my problem.
2 questions; 1. Anything else I should try? At a loss & really just feel that they heel is too narrow & won't work for me. 2. I've seen it mentioned that the Mountain Trainer isn't quite as narrow. Looking at the pix, it seems that it might be the case. Should I try these or give up on Salewas? Hate to do that since I love the Ravens.
The Alps are 12's just like my Ravens. Has a similar feel except I can tell the Alps are a tad snugger on the sides. I don't feel I have any more movement in the heel than any other shoe that I wear. The rubbing I get is the back of the heel and the worst spot is just to the outside of center on each foot. When even a small amount of uphill comes it starts rubbing pretty hard. To me, it feels like the back of the heel fits so snugly and is so firm that any slight movement causes pretty bad rubbing. For me, the hot spots set in within 15 min so it isn't gradual. I definitely don't think I could get into a 1/2 size smaller as Sandy suggested.
Been wondering if there is something wrong with the shoes because eyeballing them they just seem SO narrow in the back. Truly bummed these are not working for me. After my Ravens, I really thought I found the brand name for me. Sigh...
Blisters typically come from movement/rubbing within the shoe. Do you have any movement in the heels? If the blisters are on the outside (not underneath) are you getting movement on the uphills? I'm guessing you purchased these in the sam size as the Raven's. Do you think a 1/2 size smaller might work? In the end, the last on the Alp Trainer just might not fit your foot. The Mtn Trainer is a similar last and would not likely make a difference, all other things being equal. Salewa does offer a "Blister-Free Guarantee". Combined with Backcountry's excellent return policy, you should be all set if you need to make a return.
Wow, I got these as an upgrade from some old boots I'd been using for a few years, and initially I was a bit leery about how light they were, but after using them for a bit, this is actually a beefy boot. I had been looking for a more traditional leather boot, but comparing prices, and wanting a pair with Gore-Tex, I thought I'd give these a try, as I was looking for something under $200. When you give these soles a flex test with your hands, you'll find them surprisingly stiff for their weight, and that is what I was after most of all. Too many boots have a soft comfortable flex right out of the box which is fine for some, but I've found stiffer soles requiring a break-in period tend to last years longer than the softer counterpart. As far as fit goes, I tend to go a half size bigger for a backpacking boot. This allows me the options of wearing a thin sock and a mid-weight sock together to eliminate blisters, and to add a gel sole if I want. When using them with this set-up, they fit perfect. I've found that my heels stay locked in place, and the toe box is just big enough for comfort without letting your foot slop around. As far as construction, these are built really well. The kevlar rand above the sole transitioning to leather should hold up for years before the Gore-Tex membrane could be compromised, even in rough terrain. The rubber wrapping the toes adds extra security whether in cactus country, or scrambling rocky ridges while mountaineering. Finally, the gusseting on the tongue goes all the way to the top of the cuff, and they can be laced tight to your ankle without feeling too tight or bulky at the top of the tongue. Add some gaiters, and this would make a great boot for snowshoeing in too. Anyway, nuf said, I've definitely got the low top version on my wish list too!
Does anybody know how these fit compared to La Sportiva? I am
Does anybody know how these fit compared to La Sportiva? I am getting ready to return my La Sportiva's for the second time. I love the way they fit, but will never buy another pair. I am in Afghanistan, and this is a huge pain to deal with...
What an amazingly well constructed boot! Absolutely looks bombproof with the kevlar reinforcing and cable-supported ankle area. The super-sticky Vibram is also a great feature. Unfortunately I wasn't able to trail test this boot because of their very narrow sizing.I tried a full size up and they were still too narrow besides being so long that they were like clown shoes. Very disappointing. I wound up buying Salewa's Mountain trainer boot which has a much wider footbed and sole, and also is a much stiffer-soled boot, and the Vibram is harder and less sticky than the Alp trainer's. I wore the Mtn. Trainers with virtually no break-in on a first day hike of 11 miles of rough volcanic trail carrying a 75 lb pack and the boots performed incredibly and were true to their no-blister guarantee. I still wish they would make both boots with width options!
I agree about the width issue and don't understand why they don't offer a wider width with all the reviews about being too narrow. I don't like the mountain trainers soles compared to the alp trainer. Is there another great hiker that is similar to the alp trainer but wider?
Just got my Salwea Alp Trainers! Here's the deal - I normally
Just got my Salwea Alp Trainers! Here's the deal - I normally wear an 11.5 mens and have very narrow feet. Based on other reviews here, I decided to go with a size 12 mens in the Salewa's and the fit is perfect... almost. AgainI have very narrow feet, and because of this, the width of the Alp Trainers is perfect, and very comfortable out of the box. The toe box is perfect for me with the 12's, but I'm finding that my heal on the left side is slipping just a hair. I'm using Medium weight backpacking socks without a liner (I will be using liners normally, I just need to get new ones), so maybe with the addition of the liner, it will get better. However, I'm considering going down to an 11.5, but am a little afraid that the heal slip will be fixed but that I won't have enough room in the toe box. Any ideas here? I'm sure the general consensus will be: the only way to know will be to try the 11.5's, but thought i would see if there are any other suggestions before sending these back.
Best solution may be to order the 11.5s before sending the 12s back and do a direct comparison. You can always send the pair that doesn't work back (assuming you take care not to scuff them). Backcountry.com has a great return policy. Make sure to use the same sock combo you are likely to use in the field. You may also be able to tweak the fit of that left side heel with some lacing tricks. Enjoy!
Since 2007 I have been receiving Backpacker Magazine and I have treated every gear guide like a bible. I have yet to buy an Editors Choice item that has not surpassed my expectations. The picture of these boots from Backpacker has been on my wall since before their release. I was on a waiting list for these puppies to come back into stock, but let me assure you it is well worth the wait. Some of my favorite features include; the climbing designed toe, the cable wrap around the heel, The cinch/non release lace hooks, the interchangeable insoles, and the breathable but watertight goretex. BOTTOM LINE: THESE ARE THE MOST COMFORTABLE, DURABLE, VERSATILE, and COST EFFECTIVE BOOT TO DATE.
I say go with works best for you. I had some early reservations about the sizing. I found the toeroom fine, but the midfoot quite narrow and tight. After a few hikes, they loosened right up and i now find i can fit a wool sock in there instead of the usually breathable Addidas athletic sock i wear. Go with has worked for you in the past.
how is sizing? Did you order your normal size? Are you using these for warm temp hikes or winter also? Wondering if they would be warm enough for winter with good socks as I saw on the backpacker video review.Thanks.
I usually wear a size 10 in women's boots, but they were
I usually wear a size 10 in women's boots, but they were too narrow in the width. I ordered a men's size 10, the width is great but they were a size to big. Curious, would it be recommended to order a size 9.5 or a size 9.0? I think the 9.5 might be the best or I might order both and return whichever boot that does not fit. They are great boots and Backpacker Magazine is a great resource.
Spectacular boots. I measure out between US 9.5-10 and slightly narrow. The 10s in the Salewa looked and felt like clown shoes so I exchanged for 9.5, then added superfeet black. Paired them with smartwool light compression socks. Thanks to some excellent planning on my part I put zero (0) miles on them before 10 days, 80 miles, and something like 20k vertical feet in the Andes.
Boots were stupid-comfortable right out of the box. Good stiffness with enough flex. Solid ankle support, turned out to be more than was even necessary. Once on the trail, produced no blisters, only a couple of hints of hot spots that never turned into anything. Kevlar rand seemed gimmicky until I walked through scree that would have eaten naked leather alive. As the suede upper broke in it got easier and easier to fine-tune the fit through the excellent lacing system. The extra long toe box proved less clownish when my toes were bang-free on 1200m canyon descents.
Bottom line, I can't say enough about the last that Salewa is using, and about the importance of matching your foot shape, socks, and boots carefully. If your foot is the right shape and you keep the friction between the socks and the boot these boots are unbeatable.
Previous experience: heavy duty Merrells with a few hundred miles. Got fed up with blisters in those and started doing any trips with pack weight under 70lbs in Chaco Z2s. Older timberland day hikers with 100 miles or so. There was a pair of Vasques in there that didnt make it more than 50 miles, too many blisters to deal with. Three pairs of jungle/desert boots with...dunno. Lotta miles. No blisters that I can remember.
Hmmm. Some negative reviews prior had me concerned but a couple of things about this boot that lured me in: 1. Backpacker Magazine - Editors' Choice 2011: Salewa Alp Trainer Mid GTX 2. No Blister Guarantee 3. They were hard to find
I normally wear a mens size 10 and I bought a size 10.5. This size worked great! I hiked Kilimanjaro and over 100 miles of training hikes in this boots. I always wore smart wool liners with Light to Heavy smart wool hiking socks. No blisters. 1 Hot spot on my bunion the first time out. No problems there after.
I have used Keens & Vasque boots prior to the Salewa's. They are all good boots but the Salewa's are more comfortable and perform much better in the different conditions on the Trail.
They are made in a walnut (dark brown) color, but are sold out until the spring season (approx. mid-winter). You can see a photo just below in the "Dream Boots" review.
I loved these boots at first--they're attractive, extremely waterproof, and they have steel cables for the cool factor.
Unfortunately, despite my spending several weeks breaking them in, these boots tore up my heels on my first day of real hiking. I'm lucky to have Backcountry's amazing return policy to help me out, since Salewa, I've found, is completely worthless on support.
How much ankle support does this provide? A friend just broke
How much ankle support does this provide? A friend just broke his tib/fib rolling his ankle. I'm looking something to give me more support than my patagonia boaris
It really doesn't matter what kind of boot/shoe you buy you can never truly prevent these kinds of injuries. If you're worried about ankle injuries you could strengthen that area, watch where you step or go extreme and wear ankle braces. In either case, protection of the ankles does not come from wearing a mid/high hiking boot. Aside from the mental aspects, the only true upside to a mid/high hiking boot is keeping rocks out of your boots while running/scrambling/sliding down a hillside.
Hey there, it all depends on what you are doing... this boot as a lite trail hiker would have adequate support in my opinion... for backpacking or lots of off trail scrambling? Not so much and would be on the lower end of the support scale...
I like these boots, for me they are comfortable, have good traction, durable thus far, and waterproof. I really like the soft flexible material around top of boot and extra flex on back side, neoprene? I took this video while out doing a hike and this stream looked like a good place to test out. As far as fit goes I vary depending on brand but normally wear a 10m and these were right on in a 10. The down side for me is these were hot. In 50+ while wearing smartwool light or medium weight hiking socks my feet got hot and eventually sweated pretty good. I'm sure most of the blame is the gore-tex not breathing well enough, as is the case with other boots I have had with gore-tex lining. Is there a better or different sock I should try for warmer weather? Hope this or the video is helpful.
Are these boots for the winter season only? Are they a general
Are these boots for the winter season only? Are they a general purpose hiking boot? I am just wondering if I could wear them in the summer without looking dumb.
I've seen people hike with Sportivo Nepal Evos in the summer on Upstate NY trails and they didn't look dumb at all. Actually these boots I won't relegate to winter only boots because they are not warm or double lined nor do they take crampons. These would actually be listed under mid-duty 3 season boots.
Great general purpose boot. Especially if you are going anywhere wet: summer snow, Pacific Northwest, streams, etc. The extra support from a mid-height boot is great for carrying a pack or if you have weaker ankles. In dry warm weather they will be a bit hot.
4 stars until I can try them out climbing in April. I've doen everything I can in these boots, except hike, for about 4 days. I'm a consistent size 13, and these fit great! No toe jamming and my heel locks into place nicely. Can't go wrong with a Vibram sole. I also like the outsole toe "climbing zone" tread. Again, until I take them into the backcountry I can't give them 5 stars, but I bet they will exceed my expectations!
I have the Salewa mountain trainer shoe in a size 10 and they
I have the Salewa mountain trainer shoe in a size 10 and they fit fine, should I still order a larger size in these as others have said? I am having discomfort with the trainer shoe rubbing my ankle bones, maybe because I have skinny ankles? I normally don't like shoes that go below my ankle and I hoped these MT would be different.
I have 3 pairs of Salewa shoes (Alp Trainer, FireTail and FireVent) and the fit is consistent across all three. As to the rubbing, different lacing methods may help.
The day after I bought these boots, I wore them on an 18km hike with 1100m of climb. Normally I wouldn't do that but the reviews I'd read led me to believe that it'd be ok. The boots didn't disappoint. They are comfortable and I have no trouble believing that the no-blister guarantee isn't just hype. A great compromise between hiking shoes and more technical boots, the Alp Trainer is ready for just about everything that doesn't require crampons. I'm looking forward to many hundreds of kilometers with them.
I've called Salewa North America and they do not distribute below a Men's 8 in North America due to supposed low demand. Sucks because I want them. That said the rep I talked to said a women's Alp is the same cut just a different color so if you don't mind the colors and just want the shoe go for the Women's in 1 size up.
Had an issue with blisters early on, but hoped to work through it with more break-in. I called Salewa USA customer service to get the details on the guarantee just in case the issues continued. Very disappointed to find out about all the strings attached (ie. it is only valid for two weeks from purchase date AND you must return to the dealer and have the dealer check the fit, socks, etc. so you are at the mercy of the dealer's discretion). Since it took more than two weeks for the blisters to heal for me to give them another chance, I was SOL on these.
I think they would be great boots if they fit your foot, but be sure they fit and don't get fooled by the silly 'no blister guarantee' - it's just marketing BS.
Better to buy through Backcountry and rely on their bomber return policy!
I work with Salewa and, unfortunately, the US stock is out until mid-August. Your best bet would be google searching. Bent Gate Mtnrg, and Black Diamond have carried this model.
Got the recommendation from "Backpacker" mag and they were dead-on; best set of boots I've owned. Light, waterproof, no kiddin' no hotspots, great traction and grip, comfortable and support. Only issue was I needed to re-order as these boots definitely size small; I'm a 9 for everything and my purchased 9's were sent back...I'm in 10.5's now with great fit. Backcountry got me refund in record time; great company.
The Zamberlan Monster is probably the most similar boot with crampon compatibility. Unfortunately the Salewa Rapace is unavailable for men until the fall.
took these on a wet,slippery,rocky Catskills hike with hardly any break-in time, and i must say the Alp Trainer delivered. i wanted to test the "Blister free" claim, which passed with flying colors, and the reinforced heel prevented many a ankle roll, that other lesser boots would have allowed. Loving them so far, more to follow
Ok, Right now I give these boots a 4 out of 5. They are extremely comfy right out of the box. Not much break in needed at all. Took them out today to "test". Waterproof - check. Stood in a six inch stream to make sure they don't leak. No water anywhere. In fact, as soon as I stepped out, the water just rolled right off. The Multy-fit footbed is a great idea. We all don't have the same feet. Right now I am having just a little bit of trouble with the tongue on the right shoe making a spot above my foot sore. I can adjust the tongue and the soreness goes away. I am going to give them a little more time to "mold" then I will add more. That being the only complaint, 4 stars and so far so good. Trying a few different boots out and so far, these are on the list of keepers!
07/07/11: Just returned from Yellowstone National Park and wore these boots for 8 days straight. I didn't bring any other shoe with me. Hiked up Mt. Washburn, and feet were absolutely comfortable. Snow on the ground and about 30 degrees without the windchill and my feet stayed warm. I had zero rubbing, but I contribute some of that to the sock combo I was wearing. I will be keeping these boots and may have to buy another pair before my 10 day backpakcing trip in Alaska!! Therefore, I updated my 4 stars to 5!!
I did a lot of research prior to buying this boot. Unfortunately, there are no retailers in Arizona, so I was unable to actually try on the boot ahead of time. I ordered both a size 12 and 13 (really wish they made a 12.5). The 13 felt much better so I returned the 12.
These boots took about 4 or 5 short hikes to really break in, but now I don't even need to wear socks (but I still do). I bought these because I blew out my old boots while training for a Rainier summit attempt, and wanted something that would stand up to the rock hard conditions of training with a heavy pack.
The Alp Trainer has done just that. There is little to no heal slip, and the ankle support is fantastic. I have rolled my ankle several times on loose rocks with a 60 pound pack without injury.
These boots are truely comfortable with the integrated tongue design, and the different options to lace.
I would not hesitate to buy another set if these ever get worn down (no signs of doing so after 2 months of training 2-3 times/week).
I ordered three pair of shoes and boots (All Salewa) from BC. These are AWESOME, but I actually ended up keeping the shoe version of this boot and went with the Mtn. Trainer instead of the Alp Trainer. It was a really difficult choice as these were very comfortable right out of the box. I decided I would use the shoes more for light day hikes and I liked the Mtn. Trainers because they offer a little more ankle support and have a slightly stiffer sole which I thought would be better for carrying something heavy on my back. If you can't find these shoes in stock, I would HIGHLY recommend looking at the Mtn. Trainer as a close alternative. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Looking forward to all the snow melting so I can abuse the hell out of these!
Justin, you said you had Asolos previous to this shoe, correct? I just blew out a heel on my Asolo fsn 95. I love those boots but am looking at the two Salewas mentioned (alp and mtn trainer). So far, how would you do you like their durability and how do you think they compare to Asolos. I am leaning toward the Alp trainers because I am fairly hard on my boots and they seem to have protection (from abrasion) on the sides similar to my Asolo. I would love to hear your opinion. Thanks in advance.
If I had to compare the two boots, I would say the Mtn. trainer is a little heavier duty. There wasn't much difference in weight, but the boot felt more solid. The Alp trainer is comfier right out of the box, but after walking around in both boots for a while I liked the Mtn trainer better. The Mtn trainer had a better heel-toe rocker and a stiffer sole. The Alp trainer seemed like it had a cushier sole; kinda like what you expect if a trail runner shoe and a hiking boot had a love child. I think the Alp trainer is a little narrower than Mtn trainer. I've only tried the boots with a light and midweight hiking sock. I didn't get the boots early enough to test their ability to stay warm in cold weather. I don't usually wear hikers in the winter as they aren't insulated and I live in Montana. It can get pretty cold here. I had some Asolo boots a few years ago that I wore all throughout the winter, but I think it was a boot that was at the top of their backpacking or bottom of their mountaineering line. I would trust these pair of boots with a good pair of socks to about 10-15 degrees. The lining does provide some insulation and Gore Tex boots are inherently warmer than other types. I'll try them (Mtn. trainer) this winter, but that's still a few months off. I can't say for sure how they will perform. I've had them on here trying to break them in and it's been in the 30's and 40's and my feet have stayed plenty warm, but I don't consider that cold weather. I guess it depends on what you are used to. As for sizing, I'm usually a 10 and these fit perfectly (Both the Alp and Mtn trainer boots). Order both and wear them around the house to get a feel for them. Backcountry has a killer return policy so make use of it and keep the boot you like better.
what are the big differences in these two boots (Alp and Mtn trainer)? I'm use to insulated boots, do your feet stay warm in cold weather snow hiking with wool socks? Thanks.
Just got my pair today. Took a few tries but was finally able to get them to fit perfectly ( had to take the yellow insert out, guess I have high volume=fat feet)> i usually run a little wide on my boots but these dont fell too snug with darn wool hiking socks on. Very comfortable, so far. Haven't taken them out on a long hike yet but they feel very stable and well built. Jumped a few wet boulders and the vibram soles are very grippy....just hope that doesn't equate to them wearing out too prematurely. Didn't get to buy them from backcountry since they didn't have them in-stock yet
I bought a pair of the mids and the Alp Trainer hiking shoes for the same trip. I figured the higher boots would be better if we encountered snow (which we did...quite a lot of it). After the first day wearing these I decided that I would rather risk wet feet and wear the shoes. The back of the top of the boots pressed against the back of my leg; it was quite painful. Full disclosure: I've never liked boots, and it looks like that preference won't change. I liked the shoes...hiked more than 250 miles in them. I had an issue with the durability, but the fit was great and I think the fit on these was very similar.
Summary: if you like boots then these might work really well for you; I would buy the shoes instead.
Boots were great and comfortable, well made, stylish and nice features. However, I got a nasty blister on my heel on the first hike. I am very prone to blisters on my heels and have an almost impossible time finding boots. My last pair which were actually on the cheaper end wore out and they don't make them anymore. I think fit is such a personal thing that I still give these boots a good review; they just didn't happen to work out for me. The search continues...
Sketched out a little bit at first w/ buying shoes on the internet, but they are a great pair of boots. Sturdy, light, and waterproof, I love them. A tip I have for any future buyers, like many boots, give yourself time to break them in before you it the trail on a long journey. Overall, I love these boots.
I was very pleased with the construction and features of these boots when I got them.The initial fit was good length wise. Width wise a little snug which is expected having a wider foot.I figured they would stretch a little after wearing. Used my fool proof Darn Tough mid-weight socks and after 4 miles of hiking got a huge blister on my right heel.Never had a pair of boots in 30yrs of hiking do that.All of my past boots were full leather heavy weight hikers.Since my right foot is a half size larger than my left I would have expected a blister on the smaller left foot. After a year of research back to the drawing board. Thank God for Backcountry`s return policy.
Apparently Europeans have small feet and believe that if you're above a size 12US, then you don't deserve 1/2 sizes and a good fit. The 12's too small, the 13 too large. Seems like a great boot overall other than the size issue. Very stable, form fitting, and highly adjustable. Someone please let me know when Salewa wakes up and decides to make a size 12 1/2...
I agree 100% -- these boots are not true to size. I live in a middle east backwater country and have to mail-order all my hiking/trekking products. Fortunately, I have the money to experiment by buying without trying; unfortunately, I gambled and lost on these Salewas. I am a true US 11.5 (but admittedly wide) and have ordered all kinds of shoes in this size and been happy. These boots in 11.5 were very tight in both length and width and almost instantly put the front half of both feet to sleep. If you buy true to size, have perfect slim feet and plan to wear thin technical socks. Otherwise buy at least a 1/2-size up -- but the "no blister guarantee" will probably be null and void in that case. Hope this helps. AG
I did my research before investing in these boots. I followed instructions regarding the prevention of blistering, but these boots absolutely killed my heels. I tried to give my feet time to be broken into the boot and that wasn't worth it. I wore Coolmax liners with my Darn Tough wool socks. I applied Glide to my heels. I even tried slapping on a band-aid and duct tape at the beginning of the trek. All in vain. These boots did NOT work for me.
I will have to agree with you. I have given these boots more chances than they deserve thinking they just needed some more breaking in but if anything it has gotten worse. These boots are heel-killers!
I've only spent 5 or 6 hours in them so far but I have no complaints yet. The lacing & wire makes for a very adjustable fit - tight where you want it. Love the tongue design. I don't have much to compare them to but I do like them!
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