I bought these little buggers after my boots got stolen and I was goin on a 5 day trip the next week. I was in a bind and luckily found these: they fit me great (esp since I secretly swaped one of the feet for a smaller size while the salesman wasn''''t looking;) They are very functional light hikers, and the price is definitely right. They just barely get above your ankles, so offer a good amount of support but not rigid or constraining at all. Very light and springy feeling, you can really move in these things (no plodding or trudging). They are surprisingly well constructed: double-stitched throughout; good nubuek leather and cordura; and they have fewer different pieces of leather than I''''ve seen in most synthetic/leather boots. This all translates to a great amount of durability for such a light package. The outsole is great, the lugs really bite into the trail. Also a nice little hardened toe box protects the piggies. But what I really like about these boots is their breathability (sp?). They have big mesh side panels that allow them to be some of the least sufficating boots I''''ve worn, with makes them great for summer. The only things that are not so great about these boots is their waterproofness, which very minimal, and the absense of a tongue gusset. You can put Nixwaxx stuff on them, but after a few hours in wet conditions water will get in the mesh sides and in the toe area. But really this is not so much a flaw as it is a trade off for the great breathibility and lightwieght. Without the tongue gusset more water gets in, and a little debris at times if you''''re bushwacking or something. So, the Hi-tec Eclipse is a wonderful lightweight boot for anything without a huge pack. They offer a simple design that is very functional, and if you like moving fast and are light on your feet you''''ll love them. (They were fine for the multi-day trips i''''ve used them, but I perfer something more supportive and waterproof for the long hual.) Bottom line: they''''re durable, nimble, very breathable, and the price simply can not be beat for this much quality.

Customer Service

REI is great. I have not experienced Hi-Tec''''s C.S.

Similar Products Used:

Lowa Renegade GTX: more support, waterproof, hotter.