Rugged Quality

By Michael McLean Ranked #880 - Men's Hiking Boots September 25, 2009

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.

View Details: Oakley Slingblade Hiking Boot - Men's

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