These boots are really well built, but I just can't get a fit in Scarpa anymore. They've narrowed their toe boxes and sizing up a half size puts the crease in the forefoot in a bad spot for me. BTW this isn't my feet splaying. I've had my old boots right along side my new ones and even looking at them, could see the difference in forefoot width - where the outer foot begins to narrow in towards the toe starts farther back on the foot, resulting in a skinnier forefoot . I probably am going to have to go back Salomon 4d boots, which are also getting narrower in the forefoot for some unknown reason (comparing my 4d I with 4d II boots, there's a noticeable difference, and now reviewers are saying the 4d IIIs are even narrower than the IIs).

I am a regular shopper at BACKCOUNTRY and would recommend them anytime. Since my required size was not available so I had to buy my boots from an alternate source.

INITIAL EXPERIENCE..My initial experience with this boot was not very pleasant .The sizing on the box showed Size EU 46.5 and US 12.5 however the size mentioned inside the boot was EU 46.5 but the US size as 12 instead of 12.5. Eventhough the fit was just perfect for me but I was still curious to know what could be the reason for this sizing mix up ? So I decided to send a direct email to SCARPA. The reply came after 40 days "Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. There was a printing error on the inside of the boot tongue. The sizing on the box that the boots came in is correct."

MY OBSERVATION... These boots are slightly on the heavier side but comfortable enough for an extended backpacking trip. The sole is not very stiff but stiff enough to be stable and comfortable at the same time.

I noticed that the width of the Rubber Rand around the right foot differs approx 1 cm when compared with the Rubber Rand around the left foot ( only I could notice that and may not be noticeable for others. The lacing system is amazing but the laces do not look very durable i could already notice some threads coming off.

CONCLUSION... I wore these for a seven days trek in Himalayas and my feet stayed dry and comfy but the boot has already lost its DWR coating.

I would certainly recommend BACKCOUNTRY and SCARPA KINISIS boots however I think scarpa needs to upgrade its quality control and customer service.

I've been on a few hikes in these boots, averaging 8 miles each. With every other boot I have owned in the past I experience a bit of discomfort, pressure points, or blistering during break-in. This is the first time I was throughly impressed with how comfortable and confidence inspiring a boot can be. I had zero issues or discomfort hiking in these. I needed a new pair for trekking through Patagonia but also generally wanted a boot that was built tough, would break in wonderfully, and last me for a long time. They are a bit heavier than other backpacking boots, but I think the comfort and construction are worth the extra weight. I think I found the perfect boot.

They are very stiff out of the box, but once you start to break them in the sole softens up and flexes in the right spots while remaining stiff in the right spots. The heel has a very firm compressive layer which is great for carrying a pack. The lugs on the bottom are awesome. Hiking over rocky, slippery, loose, or jagged terrain, these things grip like nothing else. You can plant your foot and not worry about slipping. The high ankle of the boots does an awesome job of stabilizing your ankle, and the grey leather ankle material is really soft, but much more resilient than a textile material. One of my favorite things are the pulley lace loops combined with the locking lace loops. You can really dial in a great fit and give your toes space after a day of hiking, while keeping your heel locked in. The pulley laces make it really easy to take the boots off quickly. Its great being able to just pop the boots off after setting up a tent without having to yank and pull at the laces frantically while on the verge of passing out.

Overall, I'm very impressed and can't wait to hit the traill in these things again.

Sturdy, comfortable, warm, stiff yet flexible. Can’t say good things about these boots. I’m a guy that likes a lot of support to compensate for not so great back and knees. So a little extra weight on my feet to trade for rock solid stability is totally worth it for me. I’m a pretty big guy (6’1”, 220lbs) and even with a 30lb pack my feet and legs never hurt. Totally recommend. Recommend going a half size larger than your normal shoes.

Great boot that fits true to size! Super Comfortable especially after they're broken in. I Can definitely hike for very long distances without getting foot fatigue with these great boots!

I bought this boot over a year ago, and it performs great in terms of traction on different surfaces from snow to talus to scree, heat conduction is amazing and is an overall good product. However, the laces on the left boot broke after some use. This was well within a year and I contacted Scarpa about it. They referred me to an online seller. For an expensive top of the line hiking boot, I would have expected better service than that. I have owned La Sportiva and Columbia boots without this happening for years on end. I havent had to deal with their customer support but I sure hope it is better than this. Thanks Scarpa.

Many have commented that the boot works for a wide foot and also suggesting sizing up 1/2 to 1 size. I have a very slender foot and ankle, and if you do please consider my experience. My foot length is size 11 1/2, so I had sized up to 45.5. But with my narrow foot, the boots were too big, even with very beefy orthotics and socks. Now I'm hiking in a 45 and find that just right. I noticed when I removed the insoles and compared the length to all my other footwear insoles (Nike, Merrell, Montrail etc) they were exactly 11 1/2, a perfect match. So if you have a really narrow foot, my experience is, consider not sizing up.

I was looking for a nice hiking/backpacking boot with good ankle support. I also wanted a boot that I could use for snowshoeing. I spent 3 weeks visiting different stores trying on over twenty different boots. I wanted a great boot with excellent support, fit and comfort. Three boots fit just right but only one had the build and hardware that was superior.....SCARPA! I went snowshoeing the next day and for the first time in years returned with happy feet! I have taken several hikes and I am very, very happy with these boots. Very comfortable and supportive! After a long hunt I have bagged the perfect boot for me! THANK YOU SCARPA!!!! and Back Country for having a wide variety of great boots to choose from. I normally wear a size 45 or 45.5 - the size 46 was just right.

Best boots I ever had to date. Great quality Italian made.
Super comfy.
No heal lift and room in the toe box. Just want I want in a boot!
I bought these for hiking and hunting, but I find myself wearing them everyday to work.
I will be buying another pair.

The design and craftsmanship are obviously great. I only wish they fit. For me, too narrow across the toes despite being the nominal size that fits me in nearly all other footwear. They are a work of art but I must return them.

Just slightly small (mine=1/2 size)after 1st ordering a full size and exchanging(painlessly; kudos, Goatfolks). Built exactly like a full pack/multi day boot should be. Holds an edge with no twist, grips well, sheds mud and keeps your ankles firm all day without restricting stride. Required very little break in.

I like a well built boot. It has to look good and perform better. Often when you buy a new boot it falls short in comfort design or quality. This price point deserves a good quality product and Scarpa delivers. Comfort right out of the box and style is exactly what a fashion conscious hiker is seeking. First hike had no issues, no hot spots and no break in period. Material breaths fine for a rugged boot. Waterproofing is second to none. I would recommend this boot.
Cons- It is heavier vs. a cloth/Leather Salewa or Saloman. (duh it leather and good stuff at that)

I've only put maybe 12-15 miles on these over a few hikes, but I benefitted from them almost immediately. The first trail I hiked with these was muddy and sloppy, but since we were there early, it was hard to tell where you could or couldn't step in the points that were suspect. I sunk 3-4 inches into mud two different times (I'm a big guy...) and I had no worries about my feet getting wet, or even having the mud stick to the shoes. The Gore-Tex did it's job like a charm.

I also didn't really break these in before hiking in them -- since I usually keep my hikes between 5-10 miles, I figured I wouldn't suffer too much from not breaking them in. I was 100% correct. After a good 7 miles up some pretty steep terrain the first day out, my feet were super comfortable and dry. No blisters, and only the slightest rubbing, which I corrected on the next hike by tying them tighter.

The pulley system on the laces is really great. I like that feature a lot.

I noticed some reviews mentioning slipping a bit on wet rocks, but I have not experienced that at all with these. I even did a bit of scrambling in them and felt very confident and comfortable taking a little bit of a risk knowing that my footing was going to be secure.

I know these are expensive, but from what I've seen, some of these boots can last for years and years. I think they're definitely worth it, and would highly recommend spending the extra 20-30 bucks on the gore-tex version.

Also -- these are a bit heavy, but not so much so that they're bothersome on the hike. More so, that you can definitely feel them on your feet.

Rugged and well built, can't wait to put massive numbers of miles on these.

Purchased these boots for an elk hunt in Colorado. The terrain was tough and rugged. Wore them a few weeks before the trip and it was like walking on clouds. I was concerned because I have a wide foot but these boots fit the bill perfectly. Fit true to size with a little room for width. I put these boots to the test in wet weather and rough terrain going up mountains and also going down. Most comfortable boot I have ever worn and never got so much as a sore spot on my foot, let alone a blister. Really solid boot if you are looking for a solid elk boot. The only draw back is they are a little heavy but well worth the extra weight for comfort and durability. Highly recommend.

These boots kept my feet dry and well supported through a brutal weekend hike/climb in snow, mud, streams, and scree. They feel sturdy and support the ankle well. No complaints at all.

Hunting the midwest with this boot all season. Slough country to Bluff country. Maybe 100 miles in them so far. Heavy pack hiking. Waterproof is perfect. Leather is very tough. Rand is flawless. Comfortable even though I could stand to size up for really thick socks. I wear 11.5 to 12. Ordered 45.5, should have ordered 46.

Very stiff boot where you need it. The soft leather above the ankle helps with articulation and also creates a fairly water tight seal when submerged. Great traction. Also a very good looking boot.

The only negative thing I can say is the laces sent with the boots were pretty cheap.

Boot came in the wrong size the first time but after a very hassle free exchange i have my new boot which fits great. I started wearing them around the yard for a break in period but they seem like they will be good to go in no time.

Anyone who reads this the service and backcountry.com is by far the best i have had, i would recommend shopping off their site for any product, i know i will be back for more!

I like them:

quality

lacing

light weight (relative to boot MEINDL)

feeling that they are soft inside.

These are exactly what I was looking for. I have slightly wider feet and these fit great. They are lightweight and stiff enough for heavy loads while backpacking. They have excellent traction and ankle support with a full rubber wrap around the bottom that worked great protecting the leather from snow shoes and crampons. Not exactly a snow boot, but great for mixed conditions and varied terrain. The quality is top notch and the insoles mold to fit your foot for an almost custom designed fit. I absolutely love these boots. They did take a little break in for the foot-bed to shape, but after that they have been awesome. Snow, rain, mud, scree, rock hopping, these boots handle it all and keep your feet happy. Not so good for really hard well worn trails due to the stiff soles, but they are back-country beasts. I suggest conditioning and water proofing these (and any other leather boot) to keep them in good shape and prevent soggy leather. Your feet will be dry either way, but wet leather will increase cold and weight.

Tried these on at the store, along with some other pairs. I ended up going for Lowas Ticams because they're fit my feet better however I was really impressed about how comfortable they were. They fit like a pillow around my ankle, making it a really tough choice. They have a lot of support for heavy loads as well as a wide toebox. They seem like would be pretty durable since they're full leather and the rubber rand goes completely around the boot. One thing I wasn't sure of was the degree of rocker on the sole. I'm not crazy about this feather because although it saves energy by eliminating footflex I always feel that I don't have as good a grip on steeper terrain. Just my preference though.