If you're a big guy then this review is for you... These boots are like Toyota Landcruisers for feet - big, strong, tough, very comfortable, whether over land or through water... only thing is that after a while they also feel as heavy as a Landcruiser. But you get used to that over time and training. I've now completed 50km in one day and hardly noticed the weight (whereas when I first stated hiking in them, they felt like diving boots after about 10km). Grips on rock like a spider to a wall and as far as I can tell, watertight as well (walked through a shallow stream and mud for an hour and nothing got in as far as I can tell). The only downside to them was, for me anyway, the break-in time. I notice some reviewers said they needed no break-in, while I think it was 20-30km (cumulative) before they felt that way.
...NOW, the reason I said this was a review for big guys. I'm one myself - 6'6" (2m) tall, about 120kg and size 15 feet. And these are the perfect boots for big. The boots come in big and wide sizes and will take the extra weight of a pack on top of that. All other shoes and boots I've used for hiking (Asics, Keen, Merrell) barely lasted a few km's before the strain of it all started to tear them apart (splitting in seams and material). Btwn my weight and a large pack and other equipment carried by me, say 150-155kg in total, over some long distances so far (and heavy impacts), these boots look like they'll last decades (even the tread). I can't reccomend these boots enough - even with the minor weak points I mentioned they still are worth 5 stars.
Note - I bought these in Australia in early 2010, Australian dollar.

Customer Service

Haven't needed them.

Similar Products Used:

Keen, Merrell

Awesome boot. Very durable with no break in time. I find them very very grippy and supportive. Tough as nails. To top it off they are a nice looking boot. The workmanship is top notch and I have had no leakages when crossing streams. My feet don't feel fatigue with these boots like with some other boots. I have a narrow heel and a low volume flat as pancake foot. You can't go wrong with these babies.

Customer Service

n/a yet

Similar Products Used:

Lowa Scout, Lowa Banff, Tecnica Stratus,Chaco Beckwith, Montrail Vercors,Scarpa ? forgot.

They were on sale, I needed some manly boots. They fit the bill. They seemed to fit ok-- a bit snug in the forefoot, but I tried and failed to jam my toes while wearing them. After wearing them for a bit, they loosened enough to require careful lacing, and I couldn't get them to stay still without pinching. They're tolerable as long as I keep moving, but if I stand still with them laced snugly enough to avoid blackened toenails, they cut off my circulation. Also, they're the only boots I've EVER gotten a heel blister from. They're nearly indestructible, reliably waterproof, very stiff for great edging on rock, and gorgeous to boot, so to speak, but the fit problems (of which I don't believe I'm the only sufferer) keep me from loving them as much as I might.

Customer Service

Despite a thin selection, JL Waters is among the finest shops in the Midwest, thanks to its excellent staff.

Similar Products Used:

Tried on a pair of Garmont Broncos, which fit better but weren't on sale.

Just thought I'd let everybody know that the SL M3 has been withdrawn from sale in Australia. We now get the new SL upper with the old Grinta soles and it's a brilliant combination. I tried a pair out last summer working on Tasmania's Overland track and they wore very well (about 35% usable tread gone in 6 weeks)

Customer Service

I've included a rating of 3 so as not to skew the results

These boots are great, they are very comfortable indeed and offer very good ankle support. They seem to be very durable, they are definitely well made, offering good water repellance. If, however, you do manage to get them wet they can take quite some time to dry out. They are not light though and a bit on the big and bulky side if you do any scrambling. Grip is generally very good, they grip well on even loose surfaces. I would agree with previous comments that the grip on wet/slimy smooth rocks is not good, but is it with any boots?

I bought these as a replacement for my Scarpa Manta's that had given me many years of faithful service. The SL M3 is a mighty boot- heavy, tough, stiff. It takes a while to break in. I first tested the boots on an incredibly wet November walk in the Lake District. They gave excellent support, good grip even on wet rocks (though I agree that on SMOOTH wet rocks they are slippy), and my feet were warm, dry and comfortable right to the end. Other people in Brashers and Berghaus Gore-tex boots did not have such a cosy ride. Fast and light they ain't, but if you need support, comfort and protection under severe conditions, these are for you. I just hope they last as long as the Mantas.

Similar Products Used:

Scarpa Manta

I purchased my SL M3s a little over two years ago. They have traversed many miles of the damp Smoky Mountains, and I have never had problems with slippage on rocks, mud, and the like. They have even performed well in icey/snowy situations. The lace design provides a nice, secure fit for both climbing and descending. Break-in took a while, but now they fit like a glove. I am impressed with their feel/comfort for both long trips and day hikes. The Vibram M3 soles not only grip well in the dirt, but they hold up well on pavement as well. I wear them every day to work now, and the soles still show very little wear. I am very impressed with this boot!

Customer Service

Haven't needed any yet.

Similar Products Used:

I can compare these to my Vasque Sundowners which are comfortable for day hiking, but are not as sturdy or supportive while backpacking.

I absolutely echo the sentiments of the gent from Tasmania. They are great boots in the dry, but down right dangerous on wet or damp rocks. I've ended up on my butt more times than I care to count due to their poor traction when wet. I was told that they changed the soles a few months back, but the M3 soles are really awful. If I didn't already have a year of break-in invested, I'd probably try to return them.

About a year and half ago when the M3 first appeared, I bought a pair. Very comfortable boot, very nicely engineered. I wear them for day hikes daily, only a mile and half onb cleared trails, not strem fording and very little wet grass. In six months, the soles were leeling off both shoes. I contacted Black Diamond at EMS,s suggs=estion, and they promptly replaced them. This was nearly a year ago. I still have the same pattern of activity, still treat them regularly with Nixwax taking care to leave a bead of wax on the sole/boot union. Yesterday I noted bith soles just starting to pel away, perhaps 1/3 of each. Not a sign of anything resembling adhesive to be seen. I hate the thought of these boots being discarded and am tempted to just get someone to resole them, but resent paying for this myself. Plan to call Black Diam,ond in minutes and get it thrashed out. I note one review paragraph suggesting that this problem has been licked. We''ll see

Customer Service

Black Diam,ond right on the mark with the first replacement. Haven''t yet contacted them about the second.

Similar Products Used:

Wide variety of European made day hiking boots over many years.

I found these boots to be incredibly comfortable on long hikes.

I didnt find them too slippery on the rough stuff, but then, I dont hike in Tasmania!

They were going great guns till the sole started to separate. This was about 3 months after I bought them.

The retailer has promised to replace them in 24hrs.

Cant complain about the service, though I do have to break a new pair in!

Customer Service

Service was great.

Similar Products Used:

None