I've had my Hardrocks a few weeks. I've already put about 60 miles on them, all on rocky trails and scree fields. I step where I want to with no slipping and no pains in my feet. Thanks to the somewhat stiff midsole, I also wear my Hardrocks to ride MTB XC with toe clips when training for duathlon. This is the shoe you want for the long haul. I am ordering more.

The pack vest fits great and doesn't move when you run, which is fantastic for running. However, the hydration system should've been outsourced to Camelback, for the bite valve is far harder to open and may cause your jaw to become very painful after even just a 24-hour race. A shock cord running through the waistline of the vest would've been helpful to hold the garment in place while removing things from the pockets. I recommend this pack only if you have your own hydration system and are comfortable with it. Otherwise, I think they ought to sell the pack without a hydration system (and drop 10-15 bucks off the price) or offer it with a choice of hydration systems as a package deal.

You gotta get a pair of these shoes. I took them on a ten mile run in the North Georgia mountains - IN THE RAIN - IN FEBRUARY. I put my foot into wet clay mud up to the LACES, and kept on running without even a hint of "squish squish". I know that this run would've been a real pain without these shoes, sloshing around and dragging on my ankles and knees, changing my running gait, etc.. If you need to run in any weather and under any conditions, get a pair of these shoes. Obviously, since I am writing "run" I don't mean these are any replacement for hiking shoes. These are RUNNING shoes. Now go get a pair and GET RUNNING!

If you have narrow feet, like I do, and have to cinch the laces tightly on the Switchbacks, you'll notice that the arch support starts far forward in the shoe, to provide ample support on uneven terrain - the reason you bought (or are considering buying) the shoe. However, with the laces tightened and out on the trail, the blisters that will occur on the medial parts of the balls of your feet will send you looking for a pair of scissors to trim down the first half-inch-or-so of the footbed arch support. Otherwise, the shoe is fantastic on trails. I have already put 30 miles on them in one weekend of wear (blisters notwithstanding). Their traction is unparalleled in a running shoe and the protection from rocks is fantastic. Once I break these babies in and get them fit to my feet just right, I will wear them into the ground with pleasure.