I finally got around to trying these out.  The stiff Cordura nylon upper makes you sound like a train coming down the tracks as you walk!  YG2BFKM - How long does this crunchy sound last?  In a tactical situation, where stealth counts, I would never in a million years recommend these boots, unless this clickly crunchy sound is gone.  Does it go away after use?  How many miles?  Can you put some kind of silicon treatment on them to quiet them down?  I'm not on any stealthy tactical mission, but I'll get a lot of strange looks at Starbucks with the sound effects.