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$Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men\'s$

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Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's

$259.95

(12)

Item # 758823

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Garmont Dakota hiking boots are well suited for heavy-load long hauls and light mixed mountaineering.

Seamless nubuck leather uppers offer water repellency and abrasion resistance
Crafted with Anatomically Directed Design® components which biomechanically model the boot form to the human foot
Cambrelle® nylon linings wick moisture away from your feet to keep them dry and comfortable
Durable and stable polyurethane midsoles provided cushioning needed for long days of pounding the trail
Full-length, full-width, full-strength tapered nylon plates deliver the appropriate blend of stability and flexibility
Vibram® Ice-Trek rubber outsoles have aggressive lugs for bite on the trail whether it's wet or dry
Dakota boots are on the recommended boot list for both NOLS and Outward Bound West

Imported.

Item 758823

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Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's

3.3

(based on 12 reviews)

55%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Comfortable (10)
Great traction (10)
Sturdy/durable (8)
Ankle support (7)
Water resistant (5)

Cons

Not water resistant (4)

Best Uses

Harsh terrain (10)
Heavy loads (8)
Long-distance hiking (6)
Cold / extreme (4)
Day hiking (4)

- Sizing:
- Feels full size too small
  
  Feels half size too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  81%
  (13 reviews)
  Feels half size too big
  
  Feels full size too big
- Width:
- Feels too narrow
  
  Feels true to width
  
  100%
  (3 reviews)
  Feels too wide

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (10)

Reviewed by 12 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Mar

2008

(15 of 18 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

First impressions can be wrong

By ratherbe

from Victoria Canada

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Great Traction
Initially comfortable
Water Resistant

Cons

Softens and deforms

Best Uses

Short-term

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

Initially seemed like a great boot: lightweight, great tread, no break-in,comfortable. However this did not last long as the leather softened way too much and I could no longer tie the boot so it wouldn't cause toe/foot pain. Had to get rid of it after less than a year of fairly easy b/p use.
Had similar problems with Garmont in the past and have decided not to take a chance with their products again..sticking to Technica and Scarpa.

Mar

2008

(8 of 27 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Great hype, poor product

By LU2cycle

from Marina, Ca

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Stable

Cons

Short tongue

Best Uses

Backcountry

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

My comments might not seem valid as I only tired the boots on in the store and did not buy them. They seem to be very good boots with an aggressive sole.

The reason they stayed in the store is that the tongue of the boot is way too short. The last eyelet of the boot places the laces above the tongue. Yes you can force it down but I doubt it would stay there. Garmont needs to address this problem. Others have commented on this poor feature too

A great back country boot is La Sportiva's makalu which REI unfortunately does not carry any longer.

Dec

2008

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

okay at first

By tele-mark

from seattle

About Me Professional/Guide, Tree climber

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable/No Break-In
Flexible
Great Traction

Cons

Difficult Laces
Inner heal wears heal pe
Not Durable/ Wears Easily
Not Water Resistant

Best Uses

Day Hiking
Everyday
Harsh Terrain
Light Loads
Tree climbing

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

Fit great, after about 6 months leather started softening and inner heal began to wearout. Tread wore out quick and toe started pealing out. Even with treatment, feet still got wet. I wish I could have a boot that felt this good and would actually last more then a year.

Jan

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Well made, but very tight fit

By Sierracanon

from Sacramento, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Ankle Support
Good Arch Support
Great Traction
Sturdy/Durable
Water Resistant

Cons

Uncomfortable

Best Uses

Backpacking
Harsh Terrain
Heavy Loads

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

At the outset, these are really beautifully made. Solid craftsmanship. Exceptional traction on all terrain. I really wanted to like these boots a lot.

But I found the forefoot and toe box to be really tight. My bunions were in constant pain, and my long toes were always being crushed. Unless you have a narrow forefoot and shortish toes, I'd get them a size bigger.

A great boot if they fit you. But at this price, I'd make absolutely sure they do. I ended up selling them on Craigslist at a substantial loss, unfortunately.

Aug

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

not durable

By iron seattle

from seattle

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Great Traction
No Break-in

Cons

Difficult Laces
Not Durable/ Wears Easily
Not Water Resistant

Best Uses

Harsh Terrain

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

several issues:
- does not take waterproofing products at all. my feet have been wet every time i've used these boots.
- D-ring lace eyelets cut through the shoelaces. i broke one lace after 2 days use, and another after 7.
- tongue is a bit low, as others have mentioned, though adjustable via velcro.

overall, boot is comfortable, but it's going back to rei. need water protection these just don't offer regardless of treatment. plus, i don't feel like replacing laces every extended trip.

Dec

2009

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

"Best boot ever made"...

By Wounded Knee

from Easley, SC

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Ankle Support
Comfortable
Good Arch Support
Great Traction
Sturdy/Durable
Virtually water PROOF
Water Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Cold Weather
Harsh Terrain
Heavy Loads
Light Loads
Long-Distance Hiking
Wet Conditions

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

I've been an avid backpacker and winter camper since 1972, and have had these boots for approximately the last 8 years if I'm not mistaken.
These are the best boots I have ever owned, and I've definitely had a FEW! They fit and feel GREAT after a "moderate" break-in period. Never had a blister, even during break in (two words: "Duct Tape")
Apply light waterproofing from time to time, have never had a wet foot.
Great support for my weak ankles in rocky terrain.
If they fell apart on my next trip, I would go get another pair ASAP.
But...I just don't see that happening for quite a few more miles!
And no, I don't work for Garmont. They're just great equipment!

Aug

2009

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great full-on leather boot

By Brushwacker

from Seattle, WA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Ankle Support
Arch Support
Comfortable/No Break-In
Flexible
Great Traction
Sturdy/Durable
Warm
Water Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Cold Weather
Day Hiking
Everyday
Harsh Terrain
Heavy Loads
Long-Distance Hiking
Wet Conditions

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

I've owned 2 pair of these, and I've found they work rather well, especially if you like a sturdy boot with a lot of support, but one that flexes when you walk. I personally have no use for a leather boot if it's got a full shank. These flex very well, yet are very secure with strap-on type crampons. The toe box is roomy, yet I find the heel to be a little too wide, as I can get a blister on occasion. As to the reviewer who claims the tongue is too short, these boots have an adjustable tongue. You can change the position of the tongue relative to the gusset seal by moving its position on the velcro. The pair he tried on in the store must have had the tongue pushed way down into the boot.?? - And one modification I've done to mine is to crimp down the first set of eyelets at the ankle, thus allowing the loose adjustment I prefer at the toe box to stay loose. Don't know why Garmont doesn't put those different styled eyelets there like some bootmakers do?

May

2009

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Tough boot...high-maintenance

By COS_Hiker

from Colorado

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Ankle Support
Great Traction
Sturdy/Durable

Cons

Long Break-in
Not Water Resistant

Best Uses

Harsh Terrain
Heavy Loads
Long-Distance Hiking

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

Have had these boots more than 3 years. I don't normally get blisters, but these boots gave me heel blisters for the first 50 miles or so. Once they were broken in, though, they were great! You need to keep up with your waterproofing on these, or hike in the Sierra where it's fairly dry. The vibram sole was bombproof, and these are the only boots of this class that I could find with a heel welt for crampons. Beefy leather that held up amazingly well against granite, gave great ankle support, but wasn't stiff like a mountaineering boot. I guess there's a reason NOLS recommends these. I guess I don't understand why Garmont doesn't put a Gore-Tex liner in them...wouldn't make them that much more expensive.

Jan

2011

5.0

Very pleased

By ccm

from Albany, NY

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Ankle Support
Comfortable
Great Traction
Sturdy/Durable

Cons

Best Uses

Cold Weather
Day Hiking
Harsh Terrain
Heavy Loads

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

I have owned these boots for 3 years. I use them for winter hiking in the Adirondacks in NY state. Not big mountains, but there is some challenging terrain and it's a cold climate.
These are the heaviest duty boots I've owned and everything else I have used would be classified as a 'light hiker.'
These boots have been ideal for me. I waterproof them with sno-seal once a year (this drastically changes the appearance of the boots). They have never let in or absorbed a drop of moisture, including long hiking days in wet snow and stepping through streams almost a year after their last treatment. I personally think that a sealed 1 piece leather upper is far superior to gore-tex. GTX seems to fail eventually, IMO affects breathability more than sno-seal, and does not keep the outside of the boot from soaking up water and becoming heavy or icy.
With heavy wool socks and liners I have never had cold feet in these boots (make sure they are not too tight if it's cold), including sub-zero days.
They are rigid enough to provide great support with crampons and snowshoes, but they also walk very well and are very comfortable.
Sizing is a little odd, I am usually a 10.5-11 and I wear an 11.5 in these.
Tongue is adjustable but is still a little on the short side, no problem.
I should mention that I did not pay full price for these and that may have influenced my opinion.
I would check with Garmont to find out what is the best waterproofing treatment to use with this leather.

Aug

2010

3.0

The only wide toe climbing boot found

By JasperHiker

from seattle

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Ankle Support
Comfortable
Good Arch Support
Great Traction
Sturdy/Durable
Wide toe

Cons

Heavy
Heavy tread cause triping
Not Water Resistant
Shoelaces unlace easily

Best Uses

Harsh Terrain
Heavy Loads
Long-Distance Hiking

Comments about Garmont Dakota Hiking Boots - Men's:

This is the only men's mountaineering boot I could find that had a wide enough toe box. It is comfortable, very durable; but not waterproof. I've waterproofed the boots with Nikwax, but they still leaked a lot (the entire front half of the boot was wet) and my feet got cold on 2 trips to Camp Muir (my feet have never been cold before on snow in any boot I've had.) The extremely wide and heavy duty vibram tread has caused me to trip a LOT of times--you have to re-learn how to walk on rocks in these boots. it can be dangerous at first until you get used to it. Also, the laces do not stay put--they unlace constantly. I had to go back to the retailer boot expert and get instructions on how to do fancy knots on the laces so that they would stay put on a climb. You can't constantly stop and re-tie the boots while wearing gaitors and crampons! I'm only keeping the boots because the 6 other mountaineering boots I tried were all too narrow--and these were the only boots that fit me.