Although the reason I did not like the Hi-tech altitude IVs are subjective, I will at least explain why i didn't like them.

First off, there are a bit big and bulky. No so much heavy as just get in your way. I didn't feel like I could have very good freedom of movement in them.

they were comfortable, and felt good in terms of cushioning the sole of my foot. it's not so much soft as much as it is slightly sloped on the medial and lateral sides of the heel the form more of a cradle for the posterior of the foot. most of this cradling is provided by the inserted sockliner.

three things I was especially disappointed with were the heel height (very high, felt like you were wearing a cowboy boot), stiff forefoot toe-up bend that made walking feel more like rocking on a semicircle plate rather that the shoe actually flexing and an unnatural overlay under the left big toe beneath the sockliner.

When i think about it, it does walk and resemble a cowboy boot sole form (not tread but actual sole plate shape) and heel height. comparing them to a walking shoe, sport shoe or even a timberland boot which i compared to these, the forefoot did have much more "rock" to it, which i thought felt weird. for instance, the timberland boots' toe lays flat on the ground. in this shoe, the toe will be slightly elevated off the ground. and the toe box is not very flexible to allow for the more common flattening.

The unnatural and bulge under the toe could not have been normal. likely a factory defect of some type that passed unnoticed through quality control. it was not only distracting (i have a pet peeve about symmetry- each side should feel the same and equally balanced) but it was painful after a few minutes of walking if you push off your toes at all.

from above, i thought the shoe was ugly, which is important to me because that is the part of the shoe you, the wearer, see most. the leather shows markings easily. and i thought the top around the ankle fit either too loose or too tight, depending on how you lace it.

I do not know about it's waterproofing ability; I did not wear it in wet conditions. insulation to cold is average to below average. it felt about 1/2 size too small.

if you are looking for a design like this, with a higher rise and similar stying, it was fairly comfortable. I do not believe the overlay bulge under the toe would be a problem with other shoes of this make and model, just an isolated incident.

Amazon shipping was fast and excellent. i enrolled in Amazon Prime free because I am a college student and got 1-day shipping for $3.99. great deal.

just didn't like them. not for me. in the process of returning them now. hope this helps.