Raichle Spirit

I have had my pair for two years now and throughly enjoy them. Comfortable from the start, they have never caused a problem. The most weight I have carried on them is about 50 lbs. In addition to trail usage in milder weather, during the winter months, I will typically wear them every day.

At the start of each season (late fall/early winter), I heat the leather and throughly saturate them with SnoSeal until they refuse to absorb any more. By doing this, I have not had a problem with either winter snow or heavy rains leaking through. (I have not yet tried drowning them in a creek, though. ;-) )

Other than a darkening of the leather to a deep chocolate brown by the SnoSeal and replacing the laces once, I have not experienced any undue wear and tear. Overall, I have been most pleased with the purchase and would not hesitate to do it again.

I've had three Sprits (over ten years). The first two were great. The last one I bought was from REI. Apparently REI bought this model of boot from Raichle. They've got their company logo stamped all over it now. Don't know what else is diffrent, but soles squeak really bad. There's something inside sole, possibly ridge support, that seems to be squeaking when boot is flexed on any surface! Will need to take them back as it's excessively loud when hiking even on dirt trail. The first two pair of boots I had never did this.

I love them. I went for a week in the great smokies and didn't have one complaint to make about them other than they are not high enough to cross a three foot deep mountian stream and keep your feet dry :)

Supposedly waterproof, but like all other leathers, once broken in they allowed water right through the leather. Great dry weather boot, no good for snow or wet trails.