L.L. Bean Gore-Tex Cresta Hikers

Review Date
July 6, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: rocket dog(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $70.00 at ebay

Summary:
Bought these NIB from Ebay. the best $65 bucks I ever spent on any shoe. They are "full bore" hiking boots. Lighter than most of the heavyweights. once on they are pretty trim fitting. I am an average 11D. They are beautifully finished, no imperfections and very high quality materials. they need breaking in but wear them on 2 or 3 short hikes and you are gold. Super tough leather where needed (thus break-in) but super soft leather in the ankle cuffs....these are great boots!

Customer Service:
private party purchase

Similar Products Used:
Lowe, Asolo, Vasque, Hi-tec, Salomon, REI

Review Date
October 3, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Stedronsky(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $170.00 at LLBean

Summary:
Just finished backpacking 75 miles in Spain over five days with the Crestas. The terrain was varied from rocky paths to some roads. Uphill and down. The boots were worn with liners and a second pair of either medium or medium-heavy socks. The boots were a pleasure to put on in the morning. No blisters, but my feet were tired/sore at the end of each day. I'm going to test some liners to see if they better cushion the feet. The boots saved me from atleast one rolled ankle and I never felt a single rock the entire trip. Look forward to putting them on again.

Review Date
July 8, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Laurie Sweeney(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $160.00 at LLBean

Summary:
I have purchased these boots for my whole family. I wore them on a grand canyon hiking trip, and they were awesome. No break in period. Very comfortable. Took a step into water, and the water was lifted out of my foot, and my socks were dry in a very short time. (I was there in December where it dropped below freezing, so this was important.)

So I bought a pair for my husband. He works in the high sierras, doing rigorous outdoor work. He has work boots. He kept wearing the Crestas to work, despite my protests. He wore them until they finally just gave up. So I bought him another pair recently. He has big feet. 13 EE's. So not an easy fit either.

I highly recommend these boots.

Review Date
May 13, 2005

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: hikerchap ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $169.00 at The Bean

Summary:
Well, my review was preemptive. I wore these on a 3-day trip and got horrific abrasion on both heels. Eerily similar to previous review. Anyway, they worked well for me on the flats, but the first time I really did the hills (this trip) they turned out to be not so great. Very disappointing. I went to the Alpine Shop and they gave me tongue depressors and thermo-molded the heels to my feet. I hope it works. These boots run really big so I think I would size very smallish to avoid heel lift (the root of the problem.)

Customer Service:
Both Alpine Shop and L.L.Bean were stellar. See previous.

Similar Products Used:
A lot

Review Date
May 3, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Bill-99 ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $170.00 at LL Bean

Summary:
After reading the positive reviews here, I bought a pair of these for my wife and for me. For some reason, they seem to not fit my foot correctly in the heel. I worked with the folks on the hotline and followed their suggestions, but after 3 blisters, I returned the product. The odd part is that my wife really likes her boots and they fit her well.

Overall, a good looking boot, solid construction, a bit stiff, but not for everyone.

Customer Service:
Great people. All customer service should be this good.

Similar Products Used:
Lowa Renegade II mid