My husband purchased these boots for my birthday last week. I was very excited to get some boots I could wear on several all day hikes I had planned for this winter in New Mexico. Imagine my disappointment when I put them on and from the very first step they hurt my left ankle so bad I was hobbling around in pain. Plus the heel was very loose.

I have to concur with "Shoeboy" who reviewed the men's version of this boot and said, "There is some sort of ankle plate, probably made of plastic that is super tight and constantly rubs against my ankle on both sides. I would compare it to a stone against your ankle bone rubbing as you walk. There is also chaffing in the upper ankle. I do not know if these boots need to be broken in, but I don't think any boot should be this uncomfortable just after purchase. If you are looking for something to be able to walk in then I don't recommend these boots."
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Columbia-Sportswear-Men-s-Bugaboot-Plus-Xtm-Camo-Cold-Weather-Boot/dp/B004LP2VYS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Columbia Sportswear Men's Bugaboot Plus Xtm Camo Cold Weather Boot</a>

However after getting some smart wool medium hiker socks and wearing them around for a while the pain is gone now. So I guess I'll keep them.