I ordered these boots after reading the reviews and comparing them to similar styles by other manufacturers. The first thing that caught my eye was the look. These boots look even better in person then in the photos. They are all leather/suede with a sturdy rubber toe cover. The Vibram soles have a great tread that gives you a feeling of confidence on slippery trials. Even brand new they feel broken in, like a trusted pair of weathered boots.

Actual Use:

My first hike in these was a local North Georgia trail called Raven Cliffs, about 7 miles total with a few steep inclines (treacherous at the end) and lots of wet areas. It had rained a day before our hike and light rain during the hike so the ground was moist and in some areas muddy. These boots performed great, kept me on the trail and kept my feet comfortable the whole time. I spent some time in a  stream to take a few pictures and  can testify that they are indeed waterproof. Almost fully submerged (over the tongue) for about 10 minutes not a drop of water got in the shoe. They also come pre treated with Scotch-Guard which was noticeable as the water rolled right off. Also the Vibram soles lived up to there reputation. They had good grip in the mud and were stable on wet rocks and branches. I had no issues with sweaty feet at all so that speaks for the breathability of the shoes (I normally sweat in sneakers/shoes). I did have some rubbing on the back ankle of my right foot. This could be part of breaking them in however I also wasn't wearing the proper socks for the hike. Subsequent hikes (in proper socks) felt no rubbing at all.

On The Street:

After the hike we walked around the local town (Helen) for a bit and the boots performed well on flat pavement. No slipping or cramping and because of the looks/style of the boot, they fit right in everywhere I went (they don't scream HIKING BOOTS!)

Conclusion:

Overall I am extremely satisfied with these boots and hope they continue making them for years to come. They are so comfortable and look so good I want to wear them as my daily shoe, but will restrain and use them just for hikes. The fit and finish on them is superb and they look much more expensive then they are. If you want a low-cut hiking boot that feels great, performs admirably and looks fantastic then these are the boots for you.