This purchase was for my second pair of Clarion GTXs.  I bought a pair in 2006, and they've just now worn to the point where I need a new pair.  There was no question for me as the old ones faded: I had to get another pair of the same boot.

My praise notwithstanding, this is definitely a pair of shoes you need to try on and really get to know before you purchase them.  I most strongly recommend that you find a retailer and try on these boots and keep them on for a good while before you decide to purchase.  Now, if you want to come back to Amazon.com and get them here, that's up to you.  That's what I did, having purchased my first pair way back when at REI.  I returned to REI for this latest purchase, and found they no longer carried them.  Online they're available with many sellers, but I came back to Amazon.com as this was where the best price was.  Really.

These are NOT soft, squishy tenny-boot hybrids where you can lope through the forest as you do your parkour or hash.  These are no-spit rigid hiking boots for off-trail, rocks, pitch, places where you need something that is going to hold up and will protect your feet while giving you good, solid, reliable contact. These are "serious" boots, and are engineered--and priced--accordingly.

Some folks have noted the fit and feel at the back of the boot.  The rise is not out of the ordinary, but the boot is rather stiff.  It is not for everyone.  This is another reason to try them on first.

In six active years with this boot, not once did my feet get wet or cold.  In the cold weather they were unstoppable.  My feet did not get hot, not even in the summer.

Fit: these boots are a bit unique in fit.  For years I have been a very solid 12, and still buy in 12, but ended up buying these boots the first time in 11, and have had no problem at all with them.  No pain, blisters, ugly break-in period, none of that.  Trying them on again for ths purchase, I noted again that 11 was the size to go with.  That isn't really to say that the boots run small.  I just strongly recommend you find a pair in a store and make sure that you are getting the right size for your feet, and what you're going to do with your feet and these boots.

Bottom line: I couldn't be happier with this boot, either my old pair or my new pair.  They are expensive, yeah, but are exceptionally sturdy and deliver on all claims of warmth, dryness and sturdiness.

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Update, 9 December 2013:

Just back after a cold December camping weekend in nonstop rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow and mud, 48 hours out in very unpleasant conditions.  And not even the slightest hint of dampness in my boot, my feet warm and dry the entire time out.  My son, in his new Vasques (another model) also was completely good to go all weekend long, dry and warm.  This is a great boot, and I'm a solidly loyal customer.