Hi-Tec Women's Altitude Lite I Waterproof Hiking Boot

I don't usually write reviews but I so rely on them myself that I thought I should for this one. I wear a size 10 and have a wide foot. I wanted a comfortable hiking boot that didn't cost a fortune, something waterproof that I could take on a trip to California to go hiking in the Redwoods.I received them and they looked enormous - which I thought was funny because many reviews said to go a size up. Thank God I didn't. Anyone with a large foot knows what it's like to wear shoes that "look" big, but they were roomy and comfortable and so I got past my vanity and wore them around my apartment for a week leading up to the trip.I broke these boots in on a 3-hour 6-mile hike in pouring rain. My feet stayed dry and comfortable and it wasn't until the very end of the trip, when I was soaked and getting cold, that my pinky toe started to hurt just slightly. I did not get any blisters and was so, so happy with these boots!The back will rub a bit against your heel, but again, no blisters, no broken skin, nothing. I wore them again a week later on a shorter hike and again I was really happy.You cannot beat these boots for the price and I recommend them.

I am very disappointed with these boots--for more than 25 years, I've given glowing recommendations on the hi-tech hikers--stating that they were made as if to custom fit my foot--I've owned 5-6 pairs through the years. In the last 10 months, I've ordered and returned 3 different pair--trying different sizes--hoping to get the same satisfaction--I currently have kept a fourth pair, as a necessity--due to the timely need for a new pair of hikers---they do not fit well--they make my feet sore, and I'd like to return them, even though I've worn them for the past month while on out of town assignments--I will be continuing to look for hikers that fit comfortably, but I won't be buying hi-techs again.

I bought these for a ski trip for my daughter. She needed a pair of boots to wear around and be able to enjoy the snow in. She says they are comfortable and can wear them all day.This was actually her second pair. She had outgrown her pair from last year.

When these boots arrived, I felt like they looked more like sneakers than hiking boots, which I thought was neat/ different. I wore them for an hour around my house. They have a very soft and squishy feel when walking. They provide minimal arch support, so if you need arch support, these aren't for you. I have wide feet and they fit fine in the width for me. Also I wear a size 9, I ordered a 9, and they were fine in the length. The one big problem I have, is the top of the ankle design. They pinch the top of my ankle and cause a lot of discomfort. Aside from that, they are comfortable. I will wear these a little more indoors before I decide about returning them. I can't speak about durability or water resistance.

I wore them walking first and was able to wade into a rocky river after my 2 year old. They kept water out perfectly as long as it was below the top of the boot. No water leaked in even though I was walking in the water for a good 10 minutes or more.When I wore them hiking, they were horrible. The back to of the boot curled into my Achilles tendon causing horrible pain, bruising, and blistering. I tried every amount of lace tightness trying to relieve the pain, but nothing helped until I eventually unhooked the entire top part of the laces which meant the top of the boot was loose with no ankle support.So, for flat walking trails where you might encounter water they were good. For actual hiking, they were the worst I've ever owned.

I think that reviewing these hiking boots is a bit premature in that I have only had the opportunity to walk in them a couple of times. That being said... Know that I go by the notion of always buying hiking boots in one half size larger than my regular shoe size (in this instance an 8 turns into 81/2). The reasoning behind this is that when pounding down a mountain, your foot would naturally slide to the end of the shoe and be damaged if wearing your regular size. A half size larger prevents toe damage. This method requires you to wear thick hiking socks. Normally they are wool and you wear a nylon sock liner so you don't get itchy and blisters. I did this with my previous HiTek boots and never had a problem and could wear the shoe the entire day without feeling them.On to the review. So far... I took them down and up the steepest street I could find. Quite flexible and comfortable to walk in. I am still getting used to the height of the boot and it has great support for the ankles, something mine aren't quite used to yet. There is plenty of cushion surrounding the ankles and if the boot is tied correctly you do not get any movement. My mind is not quite made up yet on the material of the laces. I see the logic in making them nylon for quick dry...I have walked over leaves and sticks and pavement without slippage. Yes, I can feel objects (like a small pine cone) through the shoe bed; can not tell yet whether that is bothersome long term right now. They are stylish and flexible enough to walk but they are not tennis shoes and you will walk with a different gait. It is made for long trek hiking and frankly you will walk differently. They also weigh more than a tennis shoes, so there is that to develope muscles for, but this is also to be expected due to the ruggedness of the shoe.That is all I have for now.

Needed these for a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Wore them every day and on some very long hikes through mud, creeks, and snow. My feet stayed warm and dry and I had no blisters or pain. What more could you want from hiking boots? Love them!

Perfect quality ...great price !I love the ankle support! I should have bought some nice hiking socks, as well . I'm going to wear these out ! 🌞