I walk for a living, through yards and cross-country. I've worn out three pairs of Timberland Chocorua Gore-Tex Hikers, the lower-cut version of this boot. Each pair lasted about a year and a half - that's the equivalent of several years for normal wearing.

So far with these they've been as comfortable as the lower ones and seem to give me a little more confidence about my ankles. They're only slightly heavier than the lower ones and they're still lighter by far than most boots out there.

They would make great backpacking boots. They're made for walking. Just don't buy them for working with a shovel - they're not meant for that type of work.