My husband loves his Sundowners, so I bought a pair for backpacking.  I wore them a few times before going backpacking, and the side of the boot where the tongue attaches at the top rubbed the front of my ankle.  I loosened the ties and they were okay, so I went backpacking in them.  With the extra weight of the backpack, the tongue area again rubbed my ankles almost raw.  I wish I could return them, but they are scuffed after the backpacking trip.  I am ordering a Vasque Breeze instead.