Oakley Slingblade Hiking Boot - Men's - 2008 BCS

These are the best boots I have ever had. I use them almost everyday for the last 2 years here in Washington and they are still waterproof. I am a cold feet person and these are the first boots I worn that keep them warm. The only time I have had my feet get wet are when snow has come over the top.
I am required to use snowmobile and snowshoe to get access to climb radio towers on mountain tops in all kinds of weather conditions.

Rain, snow, mud doesn't matter, I just use the garden hose on them when I get home and they are great.

The tread is awesome in all kinds of terrain that I have come in contact with but don't wear them in the house as they tend to leave dirt clods all over.

These boots look great, It seems you can go anywhere with them, and I'm sure you could... The design is pretty cool and they're not heavy as one can imagine. The only downside is that they are kinda hot because of the technology that keeps your feet warm... so if you live in a cold place like Boston or Chicago you are good, but if you live in Houston you might want to reconsider...

Great Boot! Got this boot for walking back and forth to classes in Montana and for hiking around in the winter wonderland of Montana. I needed a boot that would keep my toes warm in very frigid temperatures (The high today is supposed to be a whopping 0 degrees). Very short break-in period and very comfortable boot! These boots surpass expectations! Also, ever since I've got them been getting lots of compliments! Thanks Backcountry!

So I waited until I put 48 miles of hiking on 3000' to 5000' mountain peaks on day trips on the I-90 corridor in Western Washington.

The Good
1) Really well made and water proof. After hiking I would turn the outside water hose on full and blast the boots while they are on my feet to clean them. My feet stay dry while doing this.
2) They grip really well on small loose gravel while going up or down steep 30 degree to 40 degree hills.
3) Super warm
4) I love the ankle support. I am prone to rolling my ankles and I have never rolled my ankle while wearing the Oakley Slingblades. I have been climbing on some ankle and knee killer peaks like Mailbox Peak in North Bend, WA. Mailbox peak climbs 4000' in 2.5 miles. So that trail climbs almost 2000' per mile. Anytime you are climbing 1000' or more per mile you are on something steep.

The Bad
1) Finally after 40 miles I don't get any blisters or rub marks. I was getting rub marks high up on the top inside part of my ankles. This is where the top inside of the tongue tucks up under the inside ankle support area. I also got a quarter size blister on the inside of my left heel. I attribute this to my left foot being a size 10 and my right foot being a size 10.5. This forces me to buy a size 10.5. I think this causes my smaller left foot to move and slide inside of the boot during a normal walking motion. However this movement is amplified because I am on very steep inclines.