This is a real good alternative from the heavy hikers of the old days I would not go as far as calling it a 12 month boot but it will get you pretty well through the spring, summer, fall, early winter not suited for heavy snow or extreme cold. I have 3 pairs of shoes with the Boa system I have never had a problem with any of them, I think maybe people try and really crank them as tight as they will go and that is the cause for most of the Boa issues. The object is not to cut the circulation of blood off to your feet just to snug them up based on the sock you chose to prevent slippage and blisters. On long hikes I have used a small patch of duct tape over the knobs to prevent any movement of the knob or bumping once I get the boot where I want it, this is not big deal I used to do the same things with the long laces on the old style boots to prevent them from snagging on sticks and grass and pulling loose. Great boot I do however like the older styles like this one from North Face and less some of the new ones for some reason every 5 years or so every shoe maker seems to lose their minds and start making shoes and boots ridicules "trendy" colors more fit for clubbing than hiking and it seems North Face is currently in this cycle. Just make them functional, Gore-Tex, affordable and not in clown like colors.

I had bought a pair of hiking boots with the Boa system last year I needed a pair of trail runners so I decided on the XCR shoe. They are a great pair of trail runners, I have not had any slippage with the Boa system as some have inidcated, it should be noted I don't twist the knob until my foot goes numb just snug as you would with a laced pair. This shoe is light weight but as in all the North Face shoes I order one size larger they seem to run a little small. I have been through the whole realm of running shoes from Nike until they got goofy with their styling, New Balance good shoe but heavy, this North Face group really makes good products and Backcountry always has a good stock and gets them to me in short order.

Really well built, a tad bit on the heavy side and they do seem to run one size shorter than say New Balance trail shoes. I like the lace to the toe feature on this shoe makes them much more like a good quality day hiker than some of the trail shoes marketed these days. If shoe weight does not bother you and your running is not limited to bright sunny summer days these Gore-Tex shoes are what you need all the way to almost late fall.