Hi-Tec V-Lite Altitude Ultra WPi

'Ultra' is probably not the best descriptor for this boot.

While we all need to acknowledge that there is no truly/waterproof boot (unless we go to 'rubber'), this boot with the eVent process hype is much less than advertised. This boot has a 'film' on the outer surface of the leather that wears off very quickly and allows water to permeate the leather just as with any other lightly or untreated leather. 

I suspect it can be treated with Nik, Snowseal, etc but I haven't got around to that yet. The rubber toe cap is starting to separate from the rest of the boot and becomes a reservoir for water to enter. I hypothesize that the eVent in the leather prevents good adhesion with the glue for the toe cap.

The fit is 'classic' Hi-tec (the reason I got this boot); roomy, wide at the toe, and somewhat narrow at the heel for people whose feet look like diving fins (like mine).

I have had these Ultras for about 9 months and have worn them with my snowshoes and in the rain and have had them soaked right through in both cases. There is room inside the boot for a pair of Sealskin socks which is what I will take with me the next time I'm in wet conditions.

The Vibram outsole does not disappoint — it is grippy on dry and wet rocks and logs.

Excellent fit. Bought it for a trip to Nordkap (73 degrees North in the Arctic Circle) with temperatures at -25 degrees Celsius, deep snow in places. My feet never got wet nor cold.

I bought these Hi-Tecs in 2014 to do a trip to Norway to go and experience the Aurora Borealis, nature's own pyrotechnics show.

We travelled via working boat from Bergen, passed the Arctic Circle and rounded Nordkap. The return journey on Hurtigruten took 12 days.

We were there in January when they have two months of no sun. We spent a fair amount on excursions and regularly encountered snow and temperatures of -25 degrees Celsius.

THe Hi-Tecs were stars; no cold or wet feet! Well insulated and definitely water resistant.

I'm writing this as my crinkled up wet feet recover from another day in Hi-Tech boots. And all this from simply walking on wet ground...NOTHING MORE! No puddles, no creek crossing....just boring ol' wet ground.

They're crap and the company should be ashamed of themselves for charging $180 for them. 

These boots are absolutely rubbish. They leak where the seam is stitched to the tongue and so do my husband's. Even walking across wet grass gets your feet soaked. Read some other web-site reviews...They're crap. Reasonably comfy tho'.