I patrol the border every day.  These boots are my service boots I personally bought because I needed some tough boots with traction pronto, since the Government contract with VF solutions is in limbo.  I'll say this, the rubber Vibrams are tough, and have good pierce protection from very long Texas thorns.  Also, the traction on these boots is fantastic!  I do not slip on anything.  I've used four different boots in harsh terrain and hard hiking and these babies are THE best traction I have yet used, period.

However, The good ends there.  If I could return these torture devices I would.  Khyber should be ashamed to issue these to anyone but people we might fight AGAINST in a conflict.  I have used these every day for a few months now.  I hoped they would break in.  I have put scores of miles on them. I used leather softeners, and now am resorting to filing down the trouble spots on the leather.

They have a split heel design in the leather on the inside of the heel.  That leather will rip holes through your socks and into your skin.  I am bleeding right now, actually, after working a group in the brush last night.  I use duct tape and double socks to cushion the friction of that split leather heel pattern design.  I even duct tape the inside of the boot.  It still rubs till the skin is raw.

To add insult to injury, the leather on the inner upper toes is of the same design.  My left front toes are also starting to get to a bleeding point now too.  Same issue as the heel-  poor design.

  I bought the right size.  I wear a wide, and this is the same size as my other boots (Danner striker, Danner Patrol, Danner DFX).  The toe's room is exactly the same as any other good fit boot.  This is not a size issue.  It is a design issue.

Listen, this boot has potential.  No it is not comfortable.  But the traction, my gosh the traction, is what every boot should have.  However, the long hauls over rough terrain make this boot completely impractical.  Avoid this boot!.  I will not buy this again and I am writing this in the hope of saving you the same issues I experience each day.  Please, look at Blackhawks, Danner, Magnums, or the Underarmours' with a solid plate in the sole.  These boots will only cause you pain and loss of money like I found out.  Hey Khyber, how about I send you this boot back and you send me a refund in return for my bloody feet!