I wore these boots everyday for two and a half years. They have finally gotten old enough that they look bad so I don't wear them much anymore, but they are still comfortable and in one piece. They have made 40 plus mile hikes in the Smokey Mountains, walked around campus, and to work. The only thing that wore out were the laces. These are the best boots I have every owned. With some Kiwi Campdry they are just as waterproof as some Gore-Tex models. These are excellent boots, I got a pro-rated but would pay full price for another pair.

Customer Service

Excellent when my laces broke I called and the mailed me another set free of charge

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Salomon Vasque

Yes--toe rand came apart after about 20 miles. I wore these boots on an Appalachain Trail thru-hike and the first pair lasted from Springer Mtn., Georgia to southern Massachusetts. Garmont replaced them for free when they cracked at toe-bend, and my 2nd pair went to Katahdin in Maine and I'm still wearing them 2 years later. Again, the toe rand came apart, but I stuck some seam seal in there and they are fine.

I did alot of online product research before buying these boots and what ultimately drew me to them was they way they looked and also their ruggedness and durability. I have been on one long hike (20 miles) and two short hikes with these since buying them. So far, they are comfortable, rugged and hold up extremely well on the trail. They are not Gore-Tex boots, but I put some Nikwax on them and they are now pretty waterproof. I also bought some Superfeet inserts (expensive, but worth every penny) and now they are EXTREMELY comfortable on the long trail. The original inserts that came with the boots did not feel very comfortable at all, so I recommend buying Superfeet inserts. I like the fact that this boot is constructed of one piece of leather as it will hold up better in the long run. These boots are also Italian made and are not cheaply made. I highly recommend these boots to anyone who is a serious backpacker/hiker if you are looking for a rugged, durable and comfortable boot. I hope to have these boots for a long time and put many miles on them on the trail.

Customer Service

REI staff at store in Atlanta was very helpful and concerned for my purchase when I bought these.

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Vasque Highlanders

I hiked 1500 miles on Appalachian Trail form Georgia to Connecticut and these boots held up great! I got off the trail but my boot were still 100% together. The Vibram soles show average wear and nothing is worn to to the point of failure. This Spring 2002 I''m getting back on the AT for the final 750 miles using these same boots. They are almost waterproof too, especially with gaitors. $189 (list price) is pretty steep but I would pay it, and I will, if these ever wear out.

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Merrell Blasts

I thought these boots were going to be great! They are very comfortable and took absolutely no time to break in. The first time I wore them on a day hike I thought they were the best boots I'd ever worn but boy was I wrong. The first problem I had with them is that they turned by brand new socks and sock liners bright red from the insoles. Then after the second hike I noticed that the rubber at the flex points was comming apart from the leather. Also the green plastic under the insole is starting to break down. Basically after only 3 hikes they look like they've been worn for an entire season. I'm just glad I bought them at REI because I'll be returning them soon!

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None

I bought the boots and they had the best breakin that I have ever experienced, I wore them first on a 15 mile 2 night trip and had NO BLISTERS!!! and have been excelent to wear since, I have near 150 miles on them and are still in great shape. I'm lovin them.

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I,ve had a few pairs of boots everything From combat boots to Vasque boots and these have been the best so far.

Boots fit right out of the box. Very comfortable but you'll need a pair of superfeet because the insoles blow. Front toe rands came apart on my first pair of boots. Nice craftmanship on the one piece leather design. Great boot if you stay on the trails but the boot just has not held up to the kind of bushwacking & mountain climbing that I often get myself into.

Customer Service

Front toe rands came apart on my first pair of boots. The boots were sent back to Vermont, then Garmont sent them all the way to a cobbler in Seattle to get them fixed. I was out of these boots for over a month and had to clunk around in my Makalus. I finally got the boots back & the toe rand came apart on them again after the first hike!!!! So, the good folks at the Trailhead replaced the 1 year old boots at no cost. Well the new boots toe rand came apart on both boots after the first couple of hikes!!!

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La Sportiva Makalu, various salomon boots & dayhikers.

Bought the boots 1/2 off but they would have been worth the entire $180. I worked summers in agricultural consulting where I spent a great deal of time in the crops. Needless to say, they stayed submerged in water or mud. Never had a problem with the waterproofing though I added a coat of Sno-Seal. The inserts were a little thin but with some superfeet inserts your feet will be absolutely golden.

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None

This will be my 3rd season with the Broncos and I can say these are some tough boots. The leather is full grain and super thick, you could scramble all day and not feel a thing. The sole is nice and grippy and durable. These don't have Gore-tex, but are more waterproof than some with Gore-tex. This boot shrugs off stream crossings and marshes with ease. The support is great for heavy backpacking to even light mountaineering(I went mountaineering with them-kinda cold but great support.)A few gripes-the toe rand on one boot is coming off but could be easily fixed with some glue. The brass hooks on the upper part of the boot get bent kind of easily but none have totally crapped out yet. The insole that comes with the Broncos is thin and basically worthless-I put Superfeet insoles in mine and they work well. All in all, a great boot for under $200(they even topped a mid-weight boot review in Backpacker). Did I mention this boot kicks ass?

Customer Service

I haven't had to gripe to customer service yet.

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This are the first heavy duty backpacking boots I've purchased.