I originally bought these boots to wear on an almost daily basis, so that I didn't wear down my Lowa boots.  I'd always had good luck with NB running shoes, and was intrigued that they made a hiking boot.  I figured if it was anywhere in league with their tennis shoes, it'd be money well-spent.

I was initially disappointed, as I opened the box and learned that they were made in China.  One of the reasons I've supported NB over the years is their commitment to American workers; most of their running shoes are still made here in the U.S.  Aside from that, there have been few shortcomings.  I didn't like the shoelaces that came with the boots, as it made them look more like high-tops than hiking boots, so I replaced them with some boot laces.  I also (after a few months) replaced the insole with a gel one.

Comfort has been incredible.  NB is one of the only shoemakers that gets "wide" right, and my boots have fit incredibly well right out of the box.  As for performance, my only complaint is that the back loop (used to pull the boots on) broke on one of them.  NB could stand to reinforce this a bit more.  Traction is great, and the sole has lasted through what must have been a couple hundred miles; mostly on pavement.  This is especially significant if you're a larger guy (I'm 6'1" and weigh about 225 lbs.).

While gearing up for a backcountry hike in RMNP, I made a bold decision.  I held my NB boots and compared them to my Lowa boots.  Now, Lowa is made in Germany and makes the BEST hiking boots I've ever owned.  That being said, my NB boots weighed about 1/2 as much!  So I decided to pack them for a 5-day trek in the backcountry.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The gusset came in handy as I stepped in a couple of streams, and my feet stayed completely dry.  Additionally, the boots dried out well at camp.  They also cleaned up very easily.

I would definitely order these again, and highly recommend them.  They held up well in a demanding hike, have endured snow, rain, streams, and mud, and look pretty much the same as the first week I wore them.  They're durable, dependable boots.