Bought these trail runners as my through-hiking shoes of choice (my full pack is 30lbs at its peak, so I don't need heavy boots). Goretex made it completely waterproof, as advertised. The only wetness occurred when I accidentally stepped into a puddle up to my ankles, and even then the shoe dried out well. This shoe has GREAT lateral stability, for gripping sloping surfaces at weird angles. Kept me from falling into some cold water while climbing/crawling across a 45-degree slope side. Possible negative is that I found my knees to act weirdly with this shoe... just walking in it (no weight) made my knees crack a little. Got some replacement insoles in case it was due to pronation, but then during my hike my knees started hurting badly, as if I was straining the inside tendons of the knee. Not sure if this is the shoe's fault, or just my being somewhat out of shape.

Similar Products Used:

LL Bean Low Hikers (GTX)