I indicated 'somewhat large' for the size, because they feel like they have more space, but that is perhaps because of the higher-than-normal toe area (higher then regular shoes). Anyway, this is with regular sports socks. They fit well, but it's leather so they are stiff and need to be broken in. I have to really lace them up tight at this moment to get my foot to fir snugly. However, I expect that to change after the break-in period. After 2 longer walks with the dogs, they are starting to feel a bit better..At this point, I am happy. They feel and look sturdy but comfortable. The metal eyelets look and feel strong. Finish of upper and sole looks good and feels solid.
[Update - May 2016]
I've had these now for over a year, and they are VERY comfortable. Softer than in the beginning, and they're holding up well.. I'm not someone who hikes every week.. Typically only in the weekend in Fall/winter/Spring when we take the dogs out for longer walks and it gets muddy and wet.. So you mileage may vary..
However, I felt I had to update this, as I've run into an issue that others may or may not have seen.. I've had two eyelets for the laces pop out. They weren't riveted very well.. The first one popped out after about 6 months, the second after about 8 months. The eyelets are sturdy, but the rivets not really.. I happen to have a pop riveter, and this was a perfect use for it. After you unlace the boot, make sure the old rivet is gone. Insert a rivet from the bottom of the hole. I used a back-up washer, as otherwise, the rivet will come through the leather under tension. Anyway, after you've inserted the rivet, pop the eyelet over the rivet and tighten. Barely visible and better than before..
I could take off stars for this, but then again, I still love the boots, and I did not pay $200 for them. Actually, I paid nothing, as honey bought them as a present.. By the way, investing in a pop-riveter and a box of various size rivets is not a bad idea. A 1001 uses and not very expensive..
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From the manufacturer
Reviews with images
It's been 7 years
I came back to review these shoes because they FINALLY bit the dust today, roughly 7 years after originally purchased. They initially for a 6 month semester abroad, backpacking through New Zealand. They ended up getting used in the following ways:1. On construction sites in two different climates in varying weather patterns (All over Colorado in summer and winter AND in the more humid, wetter seasons in The Bahamas)2. All purpose winter boots (the soles do a great job on a variety of surfaces though beware of really smooth floors after immediately coming inside after being in the snow for a long time)3. Pressure washing (my boss who wore proper rain boots still got wet feet, these boots kept my feet completely dry)4. Masonry Work (if you've ever had to shovel cement to pour sidewalks, cement ramps, etc, you know typically it's done in heavy-duty rain/waterproof boots that come up to the shins. I was helping to distribute cement for a handicap ramp and these did spectacularly with keeping my feet dry and out of cement. The only consequence was slight discoloration.)5. Fieldwork (in the wetlands of The Bahamas for research purposes, over rocky rugged, often moist surfaces, the stability that these boots provided was unparalleled.)Here we are, 7 years of borderline abuse later and the only reason I have to replace them is that the sole of the right shoe came apart after spending a week in alternating rain and sunshine that left the air muggy and every surface of the forest area we were surveying wet and slippery. I didn't have to get them repaired, everything (laces, metal straps, insoles, and so on) is the same as it was 7 years ago. I didn't do any sort of regular care outside of freshening up the insides whenever they started to smell (which was very rare considering how dry they stayed in all of the above conditioned). Needless to say, I'm a happy customer, 10/5 would recommend twice.I will note, they do have weight to them, which is surprisingly advantageous in snowy conditions or walking on ice (you'll instinctively take more careful steps). Obviously, you're not going to be running over ice with these without slipping but when you take your time they offer lots of traction and a stable feel about 1/3 of the way up the shin which is typically where they stopped for me. I have wider feet so a selling point for me when I got them SEVEN years ago was that they had my size with a wide fit. Left plenty of room for extra layers of socks (which I rarely needed because these do keep your feet warm while also being breathable? Amazed they work so well in both climates. Never got sweaty or cold feet in these.)
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2015
I always had purchased Hi-Tec, for the last 15 to 20 years, for my hiking and backpacking activities, due to many reasons. One of the most important is that break-in is very smooth. I can almost wear it for my hiking trips from day 1. I am a Scout and backpacker, and normally go to a high adventure backpack trek every two years, to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I have bought a pair of Hi tec Altitude VI for each of the trips in 2015, 2017 and 2019. They performed beautifully; felt right from the first use and almost no need for break-in period, waterproof, comfortable, excellent traction, good ankle support, and durability. Occasionally after some wear, they would loose one or two shoe laces anchors, but I was able to manage it. I always recommended Hi tec to my fellow hikers.
That was until the last pair I bought. I purchased these pair (purchased on Jan 23, 2022-delivered on Feb. 3, 2022) for my trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in July 2022. Before the trip, I used them occasionally for work and for my Boy Scouts meetings during the months of Feb, March, April, May and June. Nothing extraordinary, just normal occasional light use, as I have always done with previous pairs.
When I started the 11 days hike trek in the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range, in New Mexico, on the third day I noticed that my feet were getting humid. I inspected the boots and noticed that the leather was ripping apart from the rubber sole. I also noticed that they were not made of true leather, but fake. On the right boot, the rubber tip started to separate from the fake leather. The "leather" material continued ripping every day and the boots lost the impermeability completely. If I have had a second choice for footwear, I would have discarded the boots at once; but I was in the middle of the woods.
I suffered the boots during two thirds of my trip, and was afraid that they would rip off completely. Thank God they did not. These were a completely new pair of boots and I expected the same performance and quality of the previous product, as I am accustomed to.
I am including photos of the boots: remember, these are new boots with practically one actual trek only.
I would have never wanted to consider other boots' brand, since I have been always totally satisfied with Hi tec. Unfortunately, that is not the case at this moment. Especially when I feel obliged to step out of my comfort zone that I had for so many years with Hi tec, and will start exploring other alternatives, and start the process again of finding the right footwear for my hiking and backpacking activities. Not good.
That was until the last pair I bought. I purchased these pair (purchased on Jan 23, 2022-delivered on Feb. 3, 2022) for my trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in July 2022. Before the trip, I used them occasionally for work and for my Boy Scouts meetings during the months of Feb, March, April, May and June. Nothing extraordinary, just normal occasional light use, as I have always done with previous pairs.
When I started the 11 days hike trek in the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range, in New Mexico, on the third day I noticed that my feet were getting humid. I inspected the boots and noticed that the leather was ripping apart from the rubber sole. I also noticed that they were not made of true leather, but fake. On the right boot, the rubber tip started to separate from the fake leather. The "leather" material continued ripping every day and the boots lost the impermeability completely. If I have had a second choice for footwear, I would have discarded the boots at once; but I was in the middle of the woods.
I suffered the boots during two thirds of my trip, and was afraid that they would rip off completely. Thank God they did not. These were a completely new pair of boots and I expected the same performance and quality of the previous product, as I am accustomed to.
I am including photos of the boots: remember, these are new boots with practically one actual trek only.
I would have never wanted to consider other boots' brand, since I have been always totally satisfied with Hi tec. Unfortunately, that is not the case at this moment. Especially when I feel obliged to step out of my comfort zone that I had for so many years with Hi tec, and will start exploring other alternatives, and start the process again of finding the right footwear for my hiking and backpacking activities. Not good.
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E. ALEJANDRO LICONA DOMINGUEZ
Botas Hi-Tec Altitude V
Reviewed in Mexico on January 26, 2021
