L.L. Bean Gore-Tex Cresta Hikers

Review Date
March 28, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: homebrew ,  Car Camper

Price Paid:  $179.00 at llbean

Summary:
After having the opportunity to wear these for 3 months now, I will have to say that these are very comfortable. I wear the boot to work, walk and hike. I have a narrow foot and this is one of the most comfortable boots I have owned. They are a little costly, but well worth the money. They are Italian made, and are holding up very well to this date. I would definitely purchase again.

Similar Products Used:
Sportiva, Redwing, Scarpa, Vasque

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

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

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