I have owned these boots for just over a year. I take very good care of my hiking boots and usually get 5 - 7 years out of a pair before the sole has worn off. There is still plenty of traction left on these boots but I am replacing them.

First I can't complain about the fit or sole on these boots. They are very comfortable right out of the box and they grip just about any surface (excluding wet roots of course). I hike only in New England primarily in the White Mountains. I hike year round but I change my footwear depending on the hike and the season. I primarily wore these boots on longer day hikes or over night hikes. The White Mountains are usually wet and I had problems right from day one with wet feet. I do not know if I got a bad pair or if the eVent lining is not great. But within the first hour of a hike I can already feel the water starting to soak through my wool socks. I have tried treating the boots with various products to repel the water, But nothing seems to help. My previous boots were a full leather gore-tex boot and I never had a single problem with leaking. I will be going back to a standard full leather boot.

I will never buy a Kayland product again.

Length is true to size, perhaps a tad on the long side. Fits a narrow heel and lower instep well. A little higher volume in the mid to forefoot, but good for low to medium volume feet. Forefoot width higher than average, but not wide - definitely a D width. Toes taper but more spacious than most, so people with more rounded toes might appreciate this boot. Seem to work well for my low volume feet with think ankles/narrow heels but a wider forefoot. Lock my heels in like no other, rigid where needed but good forefoot flex. Built solidly but not too heavy. Outstanding outsole lugs. Stock insole is fantastic, moderate arch support, perfect for my medium arches that find superfeet green arches a little too high. Have yet to take them on a hike, but confident they will take a thrashing.

Order your measured size in a mid-weight sock.

I agree with chrisw001330206. The boot has a very nice fit for those of us with narrow heels and wide forefoots (not that uncommon among outside people, oddly). I've had horrors with a lot of modern boots that have too narrow of a toe box and are poorly built. My pair of Contacts are probably the best boot I've tried in 4 years. Their advantages are: excellent shank for full-length protection, rocker in the shank that makes walking a breeze, FULL breathability and solid water protection, and space for the little piggies up front (i.e. toes). I normally fit a 9.5-10 (due to foot width), and the Contact 9.5 was my size of choice. I strap BD hinged crampons to these for lightweight spring snowfield climbing, and also wear them in 80F heat through baking dry deserts in the Southwest. I find E-vent's breathability better than that of Goretex, and the ankle support is superb. The full shank also makes edging in the boot quite reasonable for mountain scrambling. My only hesitation is the worry that the materials may not last very long -- put a full leather upper on this boot, and you have a classic, legend-worthy mountain hiker. Probably the best boot on the market for narrow-heeled, wide footed hikers (though still a little tight, and not a true wide).

argh! i really want to like these boots. i also have the kayland convert, which is a very good boot, and the kayland apex trek, which is an awesome boot. this boot (the contact) is also very nice, but doesn't have enough toe box room. kayland's web site led me to believe that the contact and convert shared the same asymmetric last. but, in contrast an absolutely huge toe box of the convert, the contact is quite a bit tighter up front. otherwise, this boot is actually very nice. it's a nicer hiker than the convert, except that my toes get smooshed after they warm up and expand.

This is my 2nd pair of Kayland. I wore the first pair completely out trying to find a source for Kayland over the past few years; none really in Canada so I went south and glad I did. Perfect balance of lighter weight but full support at ankle and sole. I have a hard to fit foot. This boot is a perfect fit. Nice tight heal box holds the heel down perfectly and no sliding when laced up snugly. I only had a week to try the new ones out before heading to Peru; no real breaking in require with this boot for me and they performed flawlessly for a 7 day lodge to lodge hike. I like this boot so much I've ordered a back up pair in the new REV Contact version in case I have trouble finding them again.

I couldn't find a Kayland dealer in town, but have family that wears this brand. I took a stab at trying the sizes, and I suggest going almost at least a half-size bigger. I have 11 1/2 feet, but almost always wear 12s. These boots don't feel too narrow, perhaps just a tad, but I don't have wider feet. The insoles are pretty worthless like most hiking boots, I HIGHLY recommend the Superfeet Orange. Great shock absorber and fits awesome in this boot! The maiden voyage in these turned out very surprising! They have awesome ankle support; not hella stiff like a mountaineering boot, but not flimsly like lighter boots are. I took them through streams, on steep open face rock, up steeper dirt trails, etc. The vibram soles gripped right on every environment like they should. The eVent breathes better than gore-tex in my opinion. This is a great all-around boot for the 3 seasons. I haven't snow tested them yet, but I trust them already! I will recommend Kayland to everybody as a solid product.

After reading all the reviews I took a chance on a size 12 even though I wear a 13. Very close, but no cigar. Very sturdy, very well made, good forefoot cushion and great fit except for being a tad too short. I'm beginning to understand that I have a D width forefoot with a narrow heel. These boots fit better than anything I have tried so far. Return was painless...love doing business with BC. Talked with a rep who told me they don't anticipate getting in a size 13 anytime soon so I will continue my search, but if BC ever has this boot in a 13, I'm ordering it no questions asked.

I have a narrow (Size A), low volume, long (Size 13) foot with a narrow heal. I have been looking for a boot (Approx. 30 years) that fits correctly and will not give me blisters on my heals. Up until now, I have yet to find it. I ordered these boots based on the description and reviews. When I received them I tried them on immediately. They fit my narrow feet well from the width and volume perspective. Unfortunately, They didn't feel long enough. I was afraid that my feet would expand and they would become too short. That may be due to the boots' toe box being narrower than some of the other boots I have tried on. I went online to Kayland and noticed that they do make a size 14US size. But, Backcountry does not carry them. I asked them if they could order it from the manufacturer but they said they do not do special orders. So, I sent them back without wearing them. Very disappointed that they did not have my size. I am giving them 4 stars because they fit well and were constructed well. I feel that if they were a little longer, they might have been the boot that I have been searching for.

I've used this boot for a couple of intense 2 day backpacking trips, as an approach shoe at red rocks, and for carrying a heavy pack up the climbers trail. In all cases, I was very pleased with this boot. I've found that it fits my heel well, despite that I typically have trouble finding boots that will hold my heel in place, without being overly tight around the forefoot. They are not quite as stiff as I was expecting, however, they offer adequate support with a 45 lb pack. Additionally, I found that the rocker on these boots made for very comfortable walking. And finally, when using these boots on 4th class approaches, and while climbing a couple of 5.easy chimneys, I was happy with how well the rubber gripped.

my needs are simple, rugged, waterproof, and worth the price.
the comfort of this boot is top notch. great stability, incredible support. my feet don't hurt after a long day of hiking. but, after 8 months of average use, they leak. bummer. i expected more from such a great, and expensive boot.

I REALLY, REALLY wanted these boots to work for me. At first I thought they might, but a few test hikes proved me wrong. History has taught me that regardless how much I admire a boots quality and attention to detail if it does not fit it’s pointless. So I’m returning them. I guess my feet just don’t jive with Italian designed footwear for this isn’t the first time I’ve been shot down by the Boot Country. The proper length for me always feels alittle narrow at the forefront of my feet, and I don’t have wide feet! Half size up– gives me a comfortable width, but now the boots too long. I’ve tried and failed in the past with two other Italian boot manufacturers with blistering results ( pun intended) even years after. But I do want you to know that these are very high quality boots. This is the first pair of Kaylands that I’ve tried and I am impressed.
Doesn’t seem that long ago that if you were going to spend this kind of money on a pair of boots that little things like QUALITY wasn’t an issue! Boy have times changed.
Granted– its been afew years sense I’ve gone boot shopping, but I was amazed at the amount of junk on the market at even the two hundred bucks plus range!
At least these boots have Vibram soles, no plastic eyelets anywhere and one of the better (if not the best) water-proof liners. Stitching uniformed and tidy . Nope, the Italians still don’t like me, but they my love you! I’d recommend you check these out.

I have bad feet--really bad arthritic feet--and went through four pair of medium-high end hiking boots (all returned to REI) that simply brutalized my feet until I found the Kayland Contact 1000s at a local custom bootfitter. The 1000s are the previous model of the Contact boot that is being reviewed here. I liked the Contact 1000s so much, I bought a pair of the Contacts--they are essentially the same boot. I have just worn the Contacts once--on a nearly 10 mile hike above 13K. Though they will break in, they are amazingly comfortable right out of the box. Great for wide feet with narrow heels as has been stated in previous reviews. They are rigid where they need to be and flexible where they can afford to be. One key for me is that the lacing stops short of going over my big toe joint (where I have arthritis) and this makes all the difference (the new Contact Revs have different lacing that will take the bottom of the laces over my toe joint and that won't work for me). I can really tighten the laces up for steep descents and it doesn't feel like it is crushing my feet. My toes *never* get smashed in the end of the boot on descents. I recommend the Kayland Contact boots unequivocally.

Very nice boots. Construction quality is awesome! I have a feeling these boots will last longer than Asolo, Vasque...you name it. The fit is true to size and perfect for those of us who have a wider foot but a narrower heel. E-vent is nice, i like it more than gore-tex because i feel it breathes a bit better but still retains the waterproof properties. The heel cup is fantastic and the toe box is a nice size to keep your feet from feeling crunched. The soles have I've used them on trails and in snow and there is nothing to complain about. If I was able to i would never take these things off.

Bought a set of these for Christmas and had to send them back a month later. These boots were fabulous and I definitely support all the positive things mentioned about them. I had to return them due to the padded collar seperating from the eVent liner while putting them on one morning. Unfortunately my size would not be back in stock for over a month, so I had to settle for some Montrail Heliums..which I have on right now and while they are a good boot, they do not compare to the Kaylands at all. Hopefully I'll have a chance to buy another set of the Kaylands in the future.

They run a little small.I wear a size 10.5 shoe and these in a size 11 fit great. (had to send back the 10.5). So far I've hiked in them twice; no hot spots,no blisters. They held great on wet rock, needed crampons for icy conditions. The eVent lining kept my feet dry as I sloshed through mud and pooled water. They are good looking and supportive. I only gave 4 stars because I have'nt worn them enough to know if they are a 5 star boot.

Believe the hype. These boots are excellent. Just christened them on a big hike in the Adirondacks after two days of wear at work (outdoors). No blisters, hotspots, problems, etc… I’ve never had this much room in the toe, and must say it feels quite luxurious. Worth every penny.

Great Boots. Little if any break in needed.

Ed

Great boots if you have a narrow heel. Asymmetrical last allow you to have a snug heel cup and wider toe box for comfort.