I needed new hiking boots anyway (after 8 years me trusty Meindl's needed replacement), so when I found myself wanting to do some hiking while I was in Maine for three months, I decided to look around for a good pair. After reading all these reviews, I decided to go for the Cresta's. So far they have proved everything I thought they would be in Hiking up Mount Blue in 4 inches of snow, or in sightseeing through downtown Boston. No blisters or friction at all.

Customer Service

Perfect. Great help in finding a pair that fit perfectly. After one hour of trying on almost every vaiation of size, width, men's/women's, I ended up with a nice fitting pair.

Similar Products Used:

Meindl Perfekt, Nomad

None

Last year I bought two sets of boots as to have one pair as a backup in case the other pair failed. The vasque sundowners were my first pair. The LL Bean cresta hikers were the other. While breaking them in I was unhappy with the vasques. I had ordered them one half size bigger as to compensate for my thick socks and experienced, for the first time, a sensation called toe bite. Break in took a long time compared to the other hiking boots I have had and I had sore toes for a month. Thinking that they were to big I finaly gave them to my son who has bigger feet than me and I ordered another pair in my size. Well the same thing happened, toe bite, after using them for a month I finaly broke them in and am satisfied with them now, however, they will still bite my toes for the first few minutes when I start walking. The first boots I grab when I go backpacking is my cresta hikers. I quite simply like them better. I had a much easier time breaking them in and the foot pad dosen''t slip when going down a steep incline like the vasques allowing my toes to cram up against the toe of the boot. Bottom line is I would not by the sundowners again but would by two pairs of cresta hikers the next time. They are very comfortable, waterproof, and hold up well.

Customer Service

LL Bean has a great customer service, very helpful

Similar Products Used:

vasque sundowners, vasque clarion, high tec,

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None

I was researching high and low for my first pair of high dollar hiking shoes. Money was no object. I first looked at Vasque Sundowners and Raichle, but was turned off because their boots are no longer made in Italy, but China. I looked into Zamberlains, but they don''t come in wide sizes. Then I saw the excellent reviews on this site and in Backpacker Magazine. These shoes are made in Italy, are all leather (better be if I''m gonna shell out 169 clams), and come in wide sizes. They are fully Gore-Tex lined to boot. Add the outstanding customer service of LLBean to the recipe and I was sold. They have not disappointed. They fit like a glove, very snug in the heel and ankle, and roomy in the toe. The sign of a good shoe is you don''t have to crank up the laces to get it to fit snug, and when you untie (not loosen by pulling back) the laces, your foot slips out easily. The leather used is thick and luxurious. Fitting was a piece of cake. I normally wear a 9 Wide, and the 9 Wide fit perfect with the recommended heavyweight socks. As regards the toe guard problem, I put a layer of Shoe Goo over it. Doesn''t look pretty, but is functional. All in all, I think this shoe is the best bang for any buck.

Customer Service

The best there is.

Similar Products Used:

None

Great boots! They have great support with excellent comfort, after a short initial break-in. Geat features and construction for the price.

Customer Service

I have nothing but praise for L.L. Bean's customer service. Never had a problem or complaint. I've been shopping with them for over 10 years.

Similar Products Used:

None

The all leather version of these are excellent boots - as far as quality goes. (They are made by AKU out of Italy in case anyone was wondering...) However...
I wish they made a NON-Gortex version. The Goretex just made me so hot in them it ruined any positive aspect of the boot. Why do the manufacturers think an all leather boot needs Goretex? A good regular treatment with NixWax completely waterproofs a leather boot.
So actually, I returned mine. The no questions return from LLBean is the main reason I would recomend you try them. But if your feet are even slightly hot or you live in warm areas (not wet Seattle or cold Maine) - these boots are too hot.

Customer Service

Excellent.

Similar Products Used:

Alico, Solomon, Scarpa, Asolo

Been using the Crestas now for nearly nine months. The highlight was a three-day trek through Helakala crater on Maui...vocanic scree, jagged lava, dusty trails, and steep climbs...and all of it under full loads. The boots made the outing like a walk in the park.

These are every way as good as the reviews tell they are. (Backpacker Magazine raves about them.)

The best features:

* Firm, thick...yet Luxurious uppers of top quality leather. They form to the feet like no other boot I've worn.

* Great footbed...especially stable for trick ankles like mine.

* Astounding fit -- they feel like custom-made Limmers. (Ok...I've never had Limmers, but I'll bet these feel just as good.)

* Excellent waterproof design...I've tromped around the New England landscape with bone dry feet.

* Good price for such quality. An excellent deal.

PS: My wife has a pair also...and she raves about them.

Customer Service

LL Bean is first rate in customer-oriented policies. You can ALWAYS return something...no matter how worn out. (I've done it...and they service it all rather cheerfully.)

I have NO intentions of returning these boots however. They are simply the best I've ever had.

Similar Products Used:

Asolo 535
Salomon 8
Merrils

These here boots are decent I tell ya! I use em for day hikes, backpacking trips, and plan on using them for snowshoeing. They get a little scratched up, but they'd be just fine with a little boot guard. I don't mind the scratches anyway. Their best quality is that they give your feet plenty of support. They are pretty stiff at first and may give you blisters so they must be broken in. They are a size small for me and I must buy a size 15. If anybody has any reccommendations for a good boot of that size, I'd be more than happy to know.

Similar Products Used:

None

Excellent boots. When it comes to boots, fit is everything. Must have tried on 20 different boot models at local gear stores and couldn't find anything that really fit my foot well (wide at the toes, narrow at the heel). Saw a positive review in Backpacker Magazine and decided to order these. Fit perfectly. Need only a tiny amount of break-in to be comfortable. Gore-Tex lining keeps your feet dry. Shape of boot provides good support. Good durability so far (about 2 years old).

Customer Service

LL Bean Customer Service is top notch as everyone else has said. Have ordered many other items from them since I was so impressed with the boots and the price of the boots. Never a problem making a return for any reason.

Similar Products Used:

Coleman cheapies
Vasque Sundowner
Vasque Clarion

These are great boots. Waterproof, and fit like a glove. Break in time is minimal, theys feel great the first time you lace them up. Excellent performance on the AT with a 40# pack. You can't go wrong with these.

Customer Service

Customer service is second to none. Man, do I wish other companies were as eager to keep their customers happy.

Similar Products Used:

Vasque

These boots are as cosy as slippers. The heel notch is deep enough so that I have never had a single hot spot, much less a blister. The toe box is wide enough to let your toes wiggle. I've never had a problem with leaking. They are as water-tight as a dolphin's butt. Also, they are cut high for great support. One of the best deals I have seen on a waterproof backpacking boot.

Customer Service

The folks at L.L. Bean are always ready to help with returns or repairs.

Similar Products Used:

Asolo 535
L.L. Bean Knife Edge GTX
Vasque Sundowner