Buying gear - which hiking boot:s

“I'm looking at both Cresta Hikers Gore-Tex Fabric and Cresta Hiker Gore-Tex full Leather hiking boots. I'm in favor of the full leather pair. It would give me a wider range of hiking options for all seasons. However, I'm afraid it is too hot for summer (80 - 100F degree) since my feet will get sweaty. How do you feel when hiking in summer with this pair?
Thanks
-Hy”

“Breathable synthetic materials on a light-weight footbed in warmer months; waterproof leather mid-weights for colder months, imo.”

“yea i have a pair of heavy gore-tex hikers, lots of leather, and my feet get really sweaty in the summer, they are great in the fall and winter, i would get two pair. i will soon get a light weight hiker for summer.”

“I tried a pair of Cresta boots 2 years ago, but didn't keep them because they have preformed arch in the midsole that felt uncomfortable to me. I did wear them around inside the house a lot and they felt like a hot boot to wear in the summer.”

“How is the LL Bean Cresta Hikers Gore-Tex Fabric/Leather compare to Zamberlan Ladak Gore-Tex for summer hiking?”

“I have the Cresta Hikers Gore-Tex full leather-hiking boots and I love them. I have a wide foot and these have the best fit I could find. They would be a little hot in the summer though.”

“I think any all leather Goretex boots will feel hotter. My Montrail Goretex boots feel much hotter to wear than my Lowa Tanark's without GoreTex. I like the Goretex though for cool to cold, wet conditions.”

“We have the cresta all leather. Typical of LL Bean's, they are a tad heavy, but very functional. They keep our feet completely dry, from outside sources. Our feet do sweat in them, but I think that has more to do with the weather and exertion, than the boot. Good socks solve that problem.

Otherwise, they do very well in the traction area, support for our feet, and standing up to the abuse. They fit perfectly from the first time I tried them on (I am a hard boot fit). And we have never had a problem at all with them.”

“I wear the all leather crestas with mountaineering weight smart wool socks, year round. (now that I have Scarpas, I don't wear my crestas in the winter anymore) I haven't tried many boots, but these work perfect for me. I started with fabric and leather, but once I went to all leather, I'll never go back. I'm on my second or third pair.”

“I think it depends on where you hike as well...Maine is like one big rock that someone took a hammer to. I find I need the support and protection of an all leather boot.

my boots after one year”

“twigeater, always wondered why all leather. Can you tell me why you like all leather boots better?”

“better support and protection. If you looked at the pic of my boots, I'm constantly banging the toes on rocks, plus I can wedge the boot between two rocks and my foot is protected. I like something solid on my foot, so my feet and ankles don't feel battered and brusied at the end of the day. With these boots, it takes a lot to hurt my foot.

My feet don't feel too hot and I don't notice any sweat. My feet do sweat in the leather shoes I wear to work, so it must be the socks. The mountaineering weight is the thickest sock I could find, and the combination of cresta + smartwool feels darn close to slippers.

I like the gortex as well. If the water doesn't go over the top of the boot, I can cross a stream with no problem.”

“And if you're wearing a good pair of gaiters and step lively, you can walk through water up to your knees and not get wet...”

“true, but I hate gaiters...now those things make me sweat.”

“The Cresta's are great boots and I liked the quality of them, but I just couldn't get a good fit in them with the curved midsole. Its great that they come in different widths too. When I put in my Superfeet insoles they didn't work. It was a shame I had to send them back and I tried everything in the book to make them fit me, but it wasn't to be. I wound up buying the Montrail Torre GTX and while they are a good boot, the quality of the leather and other details just aren't in the same league as the Cresta's.”

“everyone's feet are different...and I can't wear most of LLB's boots and shoes because my instept is too high. So high that if I've got on tevas, the velcro on the straps barely reaches.
I can't get any ski boot with a flap that covers the laces.”

“I'm really tough to fit too. Narrow width and low volume so there isn't much on the market to choose from. Most boots are wide and high volume so they can fit the majority of people. I wish I could make my own boots.”

“what does "low volume" mean? skinny feet?

I'm surprised you can't make your own boots Rich (kidding)
I'm still admiring those flies. I'm no expert but they really are beautiful things.
Will fly tying be my next addiction? :)”

“Low volume means how much room your foot takes up inside the boot. I guess my B width could be considered skinny. It's a nightmare trying to buy low volume, narrow boots, especially winter boots or even cycling shoes.
Thanks for the compliment on the flies. If you plan on seriously fly fishing often you should get into the art of making flies and it's really not hard at all. You can take a lesson or just watch a video like I did and stop the tape as much as you need to. Once you tie a few the rest are really simple. I make Christmas ornaments from flies and they are so cool. Even refrigerator magnets and hat pins. I love trout flies.”

“I bet those ornaments are awesome Rich! got any pictures?”

“I found the Crestas just right for me. They have the width I need and the length was perfect. I’m a size 12 but really need a 12.5 for a hiking boot and for most boots once you hit 12 they don’t make half sizes. A 13 is too big. The Cresta 12s fit me like a 12.5.”

“Sorry, I don't have any pictures of them, but I'll send you one before the holidays next year.”

“yay! thanks rich! :)

I think my crestas are size 8, where I usually take an 8.5 or 9 in other shoes.”

“I think the Cresta's run a bit small because when I ordered mine I got a 10.5 and the length seemed just right. I other boots I have I need at least a size 11 and up to 11.5 to have enough length.”