Pros: look and feel of these boots. I nikwaxed them and gradually wore them in using a treadmill. Cons: construction. Toe rand has come loose and the plastic "bio flex" immediately ripped free from the leather after tightening them. Merrell had stupidly stitched the plastic supports to the leather now I've got innumerable little stitch holes allowing water to get through. Conclusion: What a shame--if these were properly designed then the Altitude would be a grand boot. I don't think Merrell manufactures these boots anymore. In anycase no more Merrell boots for me--I've gone through 2 pair within just 1 year.

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Timberline hikers Merrell Wilderness Salomon Super 9's

I loved these boots at first, but hey were wide, and often sent my feet to sleep when I laced them to hard, but when they were laced loosely, I had toe problems when descending. Waterproofness was very good up until the incident. The back area which meets the upper leather and connects to the sole became disconnected from the boot and in came all the water on the rainiest day I had hiked this season. It was an awful day, and my feet were trashed from descending 4 miles and 3000 vertical feet with wet toes and heels. This created some nasty problems for my feet. I took them back to REI after having them for 6 months, and about 7 coats of Nikwax, and they graciously exchanged them for whatever i wanted. After getting these on sale, i was unable to replace them via REI so they gave me $$ back which was very cool. They had also offered to send them to a local cobbler and provide boots for me until they were done. Kudos to REI. I know own a pair of Garmont Ultima's as they are perfect for my narrow, flat feet. The REI salesman said they stopped carrying them for the same reason I brought them back. I was upset about breaking in a pair of boots I would never see again.
:-(

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Garmont, Trezeta