These boots felt comfortable right out of the box, I hike with my dog in the forest almost every morning in Northern Ontario and they have held up great, no seam splitting or rubber delaminating. Great tread, ankle support and so far are water resistant (2 months old) There is a trick when unlacing them; the middle metal guide holds the laces as tight as you want but won’t let go, you have to pull them down to stretch it and then they come out perfectly.I have bought a lot of hiking boots in my 65 years these are about the best.