I have been a fan of FiveTen and Stealth rubber for well over a decade. I recently purchased the "Guide" and I can honestly say that these are the best hiking shoes that I have ever owned. Comfort, performance, and durability rolled into one shoe. I am an avid hiker. I live just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, in the Colorado Rockies. The predominant surface on the majority of trails is rock. The "Stealth C4 Rubber" is amazing, and greatly decreases the chance of slips or falls. If you are serious about your hiking and are on rocky terrain, I would highly recommend this, or a similar FiveTen shoe!