Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

After my research I ran out and bought these. I went straight home, laced up my new boots with REI wool socks, grabbed my camelback and a few essentials, and headed to the trail (Dixon Lake Escondido, Ca). I did my 7.5 mile hike in less than two hours. The trail was smooth 80% of the way, some uneven terrain like rocks, ruts, and sand, and the up hills and down hills where about even.

The result:
-Fit was good just like in the store.
-They did not feel hot during the entire hike.
-Stability was good the entire hike (I even tried some boulder walking, grip was good).
-I made a 10 minute stop at the halfway point. When starting again I felt rubbing discomfort on my Achilles. I stopped to check it out and it was very minor, nothing to even worry about. I laced them both up a little tighter and pressed on. After a couple hundred yards I didn't feel any discomfort the rest of the hike.
-After the hike I removed my boots and found I had dry feet and no blisters, only a little redness on the Achilles.

Tips for buying a boot:
-Different strokes for different folks (just because it works for me doesn't mean it will for you, and vice versa).
-Do not buy online unless you have physically tried on the boot first.
-Stop doing what your mother did for you when you were growing up (buying a ½ size bigger because you were growing). If you are not growing anymore then you can stop that nasty habit (I know a few ppl like this).
-Style was not meant for hiking boots, go for fit, and try on multiple types of boots.
-Do not buy a cross trainer for hiking/backpacking. They are made for light activities/sports (i.e. weight lifting, walking, "cross training" (meaning it is not specified for any one sport)). Get a hiking boot for "hiking". Doing a 25 miler over the weekend or powering up Half Dome is not a "light activity".

Tips for breaking in the/any boot:
-Don't break them in while carrying gear (grab some water and power thru some good miles with little to no weight). I recommend 30 to 40 miles this way (it doesn't even have to be on trails, walk anywhere).
-If you have some discomfort be proactive to fix the problem don't just return them for new ones. Chances are you're going to find the same thing in another boot.
-If you are the type of person that can't use factory insoles then change them when you buy a new shoe and break the shoe in with them.
-Retighten your boots mid hike the first couple of hikes as they break in/adjust.

Tips for remedying your discomfort during break in and even after:
-If your feet slide around try thicker insoles, this also helps if you feel like the padding is too thin.
-If there is not enough arch support then buy some.
-If you get blisters try a very thin (snug fitting) base sock (like a nylon) under your hiking sock. When your foot sweats (and it will) the thin sock will stick and conform to your foot. When that happens the two socks will rub and not your skin and the sock.
-Pull your socks up. Some blisters are caused by a bunched up sock in your shoe. The bunching is to minor for you to notice but that does not mean it isn't bunched.

Conclusion:
I think it will be a great boot for me, I have already enjoyed the first 7 ½ miles in them and I'm sure they will be even better after break in. Being a Marine I have done 25 mile hikes with a min of 60 lbs of gear and if I could do that in those uncomfortable issued boots then these will be a breeze for whatever I/you throw at them. Enjoy and happy trails

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

Fits nicely and its durable. Good for its designated use, "a light hiker". Others that have rated it low describe it for extended miles with a heavier pack. Used in that fashion I would expect my feet to hurt. They should research the proper footwear for the task at hand. It has worked well for me in its designated rating.

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

Someone who puts a lot of time into trying on boots, I thought I was coming away from REI with a real winner. Feeling great with my preferred sock combo, I took them with me to work. Having been an avid multi-day backpacker, I have found the same system I use on the trail serves me well in my work. My work day has me on my feet running around for 12-16 hours straight in all kinds of weather conditions, and the extra support that I get from a a good mid to light weight backpacking boot has been a great approach to foot care.

For years I wore Classic Vasque GTX Sundowners, resoling them year after year, but after REI stopped carrying them and the boots completely shot and beyond repair, I looked for an alternative with a similar fit. These seemed to be the ones in a more lightweight form factor.

Unfortunately after only 4 weeks of heavy wear the leather near where it meets the toe cap tore through. Also the insoles have compressed so much that my feet (already pretty flat) have started to elongate making the fit too small. After replacing the insole with a more rigid version, as well as some custom orthotics, the fit is corrected, but the torn leather makes for a deal breaker.

I won't be buying Garmont again, even if they do seem to come with a lot of cool design features. Doesn't matter if they are made out of less than durable materials.

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

Okay so after 60 miles starting from Georgetown to Harper's Ferry, with a 45lbs pack, My feet hurt almost every day. I also did Old Rag, and once again, feet hurt after about 10miles. I am dissappointed with this shoe, the sole is has no regidity after a few walks, and I would not buy this shoe again, infact it's goin back.

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

My job takes me in and out of national parks across the country, and I live in Colorado and do quite a bit of recreational hiking. About a year ago I was looking for new boots and was most concerned with finding something light, dry, stable, and that had good traction. I purchased the Flash 3 XCR because they seemed to have been made for my needs exactly...and at a decent price.

They took about two hikes to break in (approx. 10-12 miles of terrain in Yosemite Nat'l Park), and I have since put them to trails in parks from Maine to Utah to Montana, and everywhere in between. I mainly do dayhikes from 6 to 18 miles in length, and these boots have never disappointed; my feet have never hurt, and the only blisters they've ever given me occurred during the initial break-in hikes. I love the attention Garmont put into the details of the shoe (i.e. their "Anatomically Directed Design", assymetrical lacing, lateral tongue, and enlarged "first metatarsal toe box").

Perhaps the boot could breath/dry a little better, but I realize that breathability is limited when Gore-Tex inserts are present (even though they claim "superb breathability").

Great boot! Good job Garmont.

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

I walked the Long Trail, Cohos Trail, Ocala Trail and the 46 High peaks in the ADK park in these boots. Fit great right out of the box.

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

I am an avid hiker and often lead hikes on the weekend . After completing a thirty mile weekend backpack I found these boot less than satisfactory. This boot has very little ankle support, the upper lace design cased it to bind on my ankles resulting in an abrasion, the soles very soft don't appear to have any shank and damaged the ball of my foot while stepping on rocks. [...], but felt compelled to write a negative review.

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

I have used it for a few day hikes in the summer and winter. Carried very light backpack (approx. 5 lbs) and did not feel any pain in the feet.

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

I am not an avid hiker like most of the other reviewers I've read, but am an avid outdoorsman and I am particular about my equipment. I had a trip to the Boundary Waters which would entail carrying a canoe up and down rocky and muddy portages. I couldn't find a pair of lighter weight hikers to replace my Danner non-insulated hunting boots. I found these at REI about a week before the trip, wore them to work that week and walked up and down the steps at work to try and break them in, although they were pretty comfortable right out of the box. I put them through a lot of mud and slippery rocks in the boundary waters with 50 pounds on my back or my head (canoe) and they held up really well. No blisters, felt secure all the time. They did get wet when I stepped into a too deep puddle and seemed like they took a long time to dry, but that would be my only complaint. I have a traditionally hard time finding shoes or boots that fit comfortably, and so far these feel great on my feet. I'm wearing them right now at work.

Comments about Garmont Flash 3 XCR Hiking Boots - Men's:

[...] I combined the boots with a pair of medium weight smartwool socks. I have worn the boots on several area hikes (SE Michigan)in preparation for a 4 day hike in the White Mountains of NH, which I recently returned from. I carried a pack of approximately 25 pounds on the trail and the boots performed flawlessly. The trails were very wet and very rocky. My feet were warm and dry the entire trip. I did not get any blisters or even feel any hotspots. My ankles were supported well on the quite uneven terrain. I have put a total of approximately 50-60 mile on the boots so far and do not know how many miles were hiked in them prior to my purchase. I will definitely keep using them and would purchase them again when the need arises.