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Avid reader
March 30, 2013
Hi-Tec Surprised Me With This Shoe
For the money, this is a very good shoe. It's available in wide sizes, so your feet won't be damaged by shoes that are constructed for small, narrow feet from Asia. As far as sizing, surprisingly, these size like classic, well-made shoes. I'm frankly shocked because I swore to myself that I'd never buy another pair of Hi-Tec's again after being burned by poorly designed, poorly constructed, poor fitting shoes a couple of times. They seemed to have stepped up their game, at least with this shoe.I use it for fairly rigorous hiking, say 5 to 12 miles without a heavy pack, in the mountains and foothills of Northern California, so they're not being babied. They offer surprisingly good protection from rocks. They're also comfortable enough that I don't think you'd need to buy a third party insole. They are also pretty water resistant, not waterproof as they claim, but for the money I'm not complaining. This shoe will satisfy your needs for all but the most rigorous hiking, but you're going to invest $250 in your shoes for that, apples and oranges.
✔ Verified Purchase
Not water-proof (or water-resistant!) - poor construction (but Excellent Customer Service)
The good: nice fit and comfortable to wear. I have wide feet and these boots have enough room in the toe box.The bad: I purchased these June 2013 (it is now May 2014): the left boot is separated from its sole on the inside of the heel leaving a gap. On each boot, one of larger heel lugs has broken near the center so there is a hole leading to the insole. The tongue of the boot is somewhat narrow and is hard to get laced up on the inside of the boot as expected and the gore which should aid in water-proofness ends about half way up the tongue.The ugly: just got back from a hike in Port Charlotte on the island of Islay in Scotland. It was drizzling - not a hard rain. My boots look like I walked all day in 3 inches of water! Water just soaked in the toes and I can wring out my socks. This is not water coming in from the holes in the heels or from the separated uppers at the heel, but has soaked through the top of the boot.Conclusion: what a big disappointment! Previously my wife had a pair of Hi-Tec's that she loved (purchased in 1999 and turned over in 2013) but it appears that the quality is gone. Surprisingly Hi-Tec wanted immediate feed-back on the boots just after purchase. Perhaps that is how they get good reviews - people have not experienced them yet! I really wish they were better quality and water-proof! Back to shopping for wide boots - just not Hi-Tec!Addendum: June 2014 - I looked at the manufacturer's web page and found that these boots have a 1 year Manufacturer's Guarantee! I contacted Hi-Tec customer service and they directed to Amazon - but Amazon has only a 30-day return on this item. Hi-Tec had me send in my defective boots and today I received a brand-new pair of water-proof boots from them! They are 'Bandera' instead of 'Falcon' but look to be well made. I'll see how they wear! Got to say that Hi-Tec STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS! Kudo's to them for helping me out. I am raising my rating from the original 2-star to 4-star due to the exceptional customer service!
✔ Verified Purchase
M
Mark Martin
June 28, 2013
The absolute worst shoes I've ever owned
I'm 56 years old and have never owned a pair of shoes that hurt my feet so much. I slipped them on the day I bought them and left on a trip, they felt fine initially. After wearing them for two days I had to buy another pair of shoes on my trip and actually limped for a week or more because of them. After wearing them for two days I knew I couldn't return them. I am a size 13 and have been the same size since I was 16 years old. The left shoe was fine, no problems there, the right shoe really messed up my metatarsal outer and after a couple weeks it is finally healed. As I said I had no initial discomfort but all I can figure is that the right shoe was defective. I've never written a review before but felt I just had to about these shoes. I wasted my money and won't donate them to Goodwill et al because I wouldn't want to hurt anyone else. They sit in a closet and I get mad every time I see them. Enough said. Don't buy them "vote with your feet" and get another brand.
✔ Verified Purchase
P
porchpotato
October 21, 2012
Great dry-terrain alternative to regular hunting boots
Perhaps a hasty review as I just wore these shoes only twice this week, but so far so good.I'm not an avid outdoorsman. Where I live we have free (for residents) state-sponsored hunts twice a year (although hunting in designated areas is allowed year-round for a fee) which is what I participate in. So for the most part I will be wearing these twice a year.I was looking into getting new hunting footwear but didn't feel the need to get regular hunting boots, most of which are high-cut and waterproof. I live in a place where the climate is pretty temperate year-round and the hunting areas are relatively dry, so I wanted shoes that are breathable and not so high-cut but still have good stability in the ankles. These shoes fit the bill nicely. I wore it for one day at work to help break it in, but it was very comfortable from the get-go. For hunting I spent the day walking on terrain that varies from sharp lava rocks, larger round boulders and loose dirt, and the soles provide good traction, and the shoes overall are very light. (side note: yes, my entire day of "hunting" consisted of "walking". Chalk one up for the animals) .Happy with my purchase so far.
✔ Verified Purchase
