KAYLAND Men's Apex Trek Boots

"I bought have had La Sportiva boots, Scarpa boots, and when I tried these on I was sold. They are similar to the trango s evo, and the scarpa charmoz, but walk and feel more like a hiking boot. They have a rockered sole that allows supreme walking comfort, way better than the others and the heel is locked in place. Since the heel is held down so well it prevents heel blisters and the nice thing is my toes have room to wiggle, something I couln't get out of other brands. I always had to give up something with boot fit, but these Kayland boots are the best boots I have ever had, and they work great with new-matic or heel bail crampons. [...]"

"Old school fit space age materials, awesome performance - I have a couple pair of Sportiva s and they are nice boots. But never gotten the perfect fit I'd like from any of them. With the ease of shipping and returns at Zappos I decided to venture out and try some boots that I can't easily obtain locally in Seattle. I was looking for a light weight, rigid sole technical boot to climb in, steep ice, rock and hard mixed. This particular Kayland is very light, a full 1# lighter than my Sportiva Nepal Evos. The sole is more rigid, important with my size 12 feet, and more comfortable with a better fit. I have a very narrow heel with a normal width foot. Out of the box with the first lace up they felt "right". More like old school leather boots that fit but would take some break in than the current crop of synthetics that feel good right off but never really fit all that well long term. But little break in required. Huge rocker on the sole to help out on the totally rigid sole while walking. Almost too much so you'll want to make sure your crampons fit securely. (Mine do but it is close). Not the warmest boot out there but wasn't expecting much. Fine for anything in the lower 48 or summer in Canada and easy to lug around when they weigh as much as some of the current "fruit boots". The Apex is so good for fit and performance I'll be checking out the higher end models as well. These boots were a pleasant surprise and a "best buy" (1/2 the price of some of the Sportiva I own) for my feet and use."

"Kayland Rocks! Very happy with the boot for the most part. Plus side: Great fit; I am a 10 1/2, ordered same in the fit, it was spot on (mid volume foot). Great traction, but if going through mud, the lugs do not throw mud well and the boot packs quite a bit. Good downhill breaking and going uphill is a breeze. Light weight! On the negative side: Took them to Mt. Whitney last week, with unusually high temps (70-80's at altitude). Had too thick of a sock (Thorlo 3) and within an hour, my feet, despite the e-vent lining, were very wet, and I got some bad heel blisters. The hot spots hit so fast by the time I stopped to change socks, heels were bleeding. My fault because of the type of sock, but don't know how the boot would fit with just a liner type of sock. So, I would not wear these boots again during the summer."

"Best fit out of many - I have a medium width/low volume foot with a narrow heel; prone to heel slippage and difficult to get a really good fitting boot. I tried many of the most popular light mountaineering boots until I ran across these (and Zappos' free return policy got me to order). Best fit by far of anything I tried, without any special insoles. Broke them in with an 11 mile hike on mixed snow/rock/dirt to 11K. No blisters or heel slip. Really glad I took the chance and ordered these boots!"