On  Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots - Women's

After wearing these around town and hiking I have a few initial impressions. First off is fit and comfort: I usually wear a 9-9.5 in hiking boots, so I decided to order a 9, as I plan to use these for shorter day hikes where thick socks are unnecessary. The fit is very similar to my La Sportiva Pyramid boots; they’re fairly narrow and don’t have a lot of room in the upper portion of the toe box. I do recommend ordering ½ to a full size up, especially if you prefer wearing thicker hike socks or want to put in orthotic insoles. For testing and “breaking in” purposes I left the regular insoles in and they were very comfortable and easy to adjust the lacing system for a perfect, custom fit. The top lace grommets hold the laces in place so they don’t slip when you’re adjusting the ankle fit. Initially, I got a hot spot on the outer midfoot. With a little wear and re-lacing it resolved itself a bit, but I’m hoping this issue will go away once they’re a bit more broken in. The description says they provide a “hiking-on-clouds sensation.” While I wouldn’t use those terms, exactly, I would say that they do provide a nice bouncy rebound which helps energize each step, reducing fatigue and alleviating pressure on joints, especially downhill. I’m also very pleased that the ankle section is ultra plush and doesn’t rub uncomfortably on my surgery scars. Another pleasant feature of these boots is how incredibly light they are, both in weight and breathability, which is often difficult in waterproof shoes. Stability: I have terrible ankles so stability is extremely important. While not as stable as backpacking boots, these boots do offer a good amount of stability for day hiking. The sole is wide and sturdy and the ankle support does its job without limiting mobility. I, personally, would prefer more ankle stability, but it works well enough. Additionally, the sole is beefy yet cushioned, reducing the feel of sharp rocks and uneven terrain. I didn’t have any heel slippage going up or down, which is a bonus for stability. Traction: Rocky desert terrain has a tendency to be slippery when rock and dust slide over each other, but I was impressed by how well these gripped both large boulders and teeny rocks downhill, likely due to the massive lugs. Looking at the lugs I was worried that rocks would get stuck, but by some sort of magic they shed rocks. Durability: I haven’t had these long enough to really test their durability, but after quite a few rugged hikes they seem to be holding up very well and the color is still surprisingly bright. Waterproofing: These boots effectively shed light rain. I did test them by spraying them with a hose and they were totally dry inside so I believe they will effectively be good for stream crossings. One interesting note: While I was getting my plantar fasciitis looked at I noticed my orthopedist was wearing On shoes. He said he not only loves and recommends them for their comfort and performance, but he loves them so much that he bought a pair for every one of his nurses and assistants for Christmas (and I noticed they were all actually wearing them).

I want to love these so bad but they’re literally hurting me. The attached tongue makes the fabric fold into itself and is digging into the front of my left ankle and is unbearable. It’s been a few weeks and there’s no change so it’s not just needing to be broken in; also, the right one is fine. Is my pair just defective or has anyone else experienced this?! As far as the comfort level goes for your soles and walking they’re great but I can’t enjoy them.