Raichle Classic

I purchased these boots with the intention of having to replace them after a series of hikes which included Upper Yosemite Valley, Mono Lake, Crater Lake and several peaks in the Presidential Range in New Hampshire (including Mt. Washington). I beat on these boots. Between the igneous and granite, I was sure they would cry "uncle". They never did!

My feet are wide at the ball with a relatively narrow heel (alien feet) so just finding a boot that felt good in the store was a problem. My feet sighed (ahhh!) when I put them on and have loved me ever since for purchasing them. No hot spots, no real break-in time, absolutely waterproof (I use SnoSeal) and the sole still has grip after all that scrambling. I'm not sure if they still make these bad boys, but if you're looking and find them, slip them on. Definitely worth a trial.

(I've tried Vasque, Merrill, One Sport (good too!) but the Classic gets my vote.)

I'm on my second pair now because the soles came off my first pair after a few trips. Now the soles are falling off this pair too, and they still look brand new. I want my money back this time instead of just another pair of crappy boots because Raichle customer service hasn't been the best and I'd rather go elsewhere.