Positive Reviews:Great Old School Construction | | Rating: |  | | I had a GREAT pair of boots (un-named by requirement) that I purchased in 1975. I went through 9 soles and also had some leather patching to keep em going. I have hiked/backpacked in some of the roughest terrain around the Rockies and Sierra Nevada's not to mention daily wear for 8 weeks during geology field camp. The metamorphic basement rocks cut and scared the old boots, but they held up (hence the leather patching) Well, I needed to put on a 10th sole, took them to a local cobbler on a Saturady afternoon and found out Tuesday afternoon that the cobbler went out of businees resulting in my boots going to the local landfill. Bummer. That was two years ago. Since that time I've researched and searched for a replacement pair. I've tried maybe 20 or 30 different boots, and even considered "custom" made boots. However, none of htese options was quite right. Most of what is available is nothing more than glorified sneakers. However, I took a chance (not much of a chance really) on the Alico Tahoe boots offered by STP. Well I found the near perfect replacement in the Alico Tahoe's ... at least partially. The Tahoes are not as stiff as my old boots and I suspect they will not be as durable. I wouldn't want to do much "edge work" in these boots either. But for the intended purpose (daily wear and moderate hiking and some light backpacking), they are a great boot. They fit well and are breaking in easily though there was not much breaking in needed. And they are reasonably waterproof (with snow-seal application).Becasue of my experience thus far with the Alico name, I intend to purchase a pair of Alico Mountain Guides for some of my heavier backpacking and scrambling adventures.For me the ability to resole these boots using "old school" techniques was a BIG advantage.[...] | | GG (gentleman geologist) at Sierra Trading Post on 12/09/2009 | What Quality Boots Used to Be | | Rating: | | | These are old style, high quality construction boots that are very hard to find these days. I was so pleased with them I purchased a second pair to have in reserve since it is almost imposible to find this kind of quality anymore. One of the very few hiking boots left with stiched soles allowing you to resole them. No fabric or leather seams, no glue to delaminate, and high quality leather. The Vibram soles are the heavier duty type that wear longer. The only marginal features are that the insoles need to be replaced with Superfeet and I prefer flat laces that cinch better and don't come untied (both easily fixed). The boots fit true to size -- at least they did for me and I tried both the normal and extra wide widths. The break-in has been surprisingly fast, but these boots do require more respect following a sensiable break-in routine. The Tahoe is a respectable weight -- beefy enough for long distance treking or backpacking without the over-kill of a heavy mountaineering boot. They are not light but not heavy. I am a professional forester approaching 60 and still do long distance treks and backpacks. I purchased these boots to do a 1,200 mile hike from Lands End to John O'Groats in England and didn't want to have to worry about replacing the boots before finishing the trek. I have every expectation they will go the distance. From all my previous experiences I'm confident that today's modern, ligher glue based boots with softer soles, and too many fabric seams would be lucky to make it halfway on this trek. They are instantly comfortable, but don't go the distance. I never write reviews, but I figured this boot deserved the effort, particularly if you are looking for durability and quality. | | Critter Boy at Sierra Trading Post on 01/14/2010 | the best boots ever | | Rating: | | | I have had 2 pair of the woman's Tahoe boots in size 8.5 and I have been wearing them for years and miles and they are the best boots ever. They have withstood heavy constant use of haying and firewood, cutting brush, chasing cows and hiking in all conditions. I wax them regularly. I search on Sierra to find replacement boots, but have not found the woman's Alico in my size for over a year now, so finally I have realized that it is time to try the man's boot ... so I sprang for the men's 7 and 7.5E - the sevens feel great, the 7.5E should be arriving this week, but I think the 7's are perfect. I am extremely excited that I will not have to search out another brand that is not made in China, that has a good toe box, one piece of leather, vibram sole ... and I if there was another 7 available today I'd buy it and save them for when these boots wear out in a couple years, just in case I can't find them again ... I was on the brink of getting boots made for me in New Hampshire ... thank you Sierra for being the only ones who carry these high quality and extremely well priced boots that fit my feet and budget perfectly! | | farm girl at Sierra Trading Post on 12/13/2009 | So far, so good | | Rating: |  | | as a caveat, I have not yet hiked in these boots. However, this is my third pair of Norwegian Welt boots, and these are pretty nice, especially for the price. I take a size 10 and their size 10 fit perfectly. Leather seems high quality, and sole is vibram. I have been wearing them off and on for nearly 2 weeks and they are breaking in fine. I bought a pair of lightweight hikers last year (bad decision), and they did not make it through the summer before the toe rubber started separating. I have had the same problem for years and so switched to welt soles about a decade ago. I had a pair of Prospectors which lasted me for years, and most recently a pair from EMS which are still in good shape, but the sole is wearing thin. These Alicos cost me less now than what I paid for the EMS boots 4-5 years ago, and seem just as good. The only other welt sole boots I can find cost over $200. For the price, these cannot be beat. It costs about $70 to re-sole boots, so I dropped the extra $40 for a brand new pair. Thanks STP!! | | Kalalaug at Sierra Trading Post on 12/02/2009 | Great classic boots | | Rating: | | | I'm giving these a 4 because the left boot is a 1/4" longer than the right. I have been using these boots for about a year now, so I feel like I can write a true user review on them. I've been wearing Norwegian welt boots like these for years, and they ALL needed broken in (including these). These boots however, break in alot quicker than my other 2 pairs; and once your feet and boots come to a truce, you will have a good comfortable boot that is molded to your foot and will last you half a lifetime. I use these boots for almost everything except work (my job requires steel-toes).I don't think I would use this boot for a really long backpacking trip with heavy loads, but for a couple day trip, or day hiking; I think they're great. If you like the plastic and mesh tennis shoes with hiking soles from china, you probably wont like these. However, if you like to buy a boot that will last for years an years, this boot is probably for you. | | Andy at Sierra Trading Post on 10/26/2009 | Sweet | | Rating: | | | Generally: Beautiful boots. I'm not a boot maker, but they appear to be excellent quality. Really nice leather, great stitching (as many reviewers have noted). Love the gusseted tongue. Sizing: I normally wear a size 11E in most brands. The 11 2E I ordered fits just about perfectly, so these boots appear to run narrower than a lot of brands. Also, the 11 1/2 Wide Summits I ordered are slightly too big even with thick replacement insoles and thick socks - they're still wearable, though, with that set up. Comfort: The Tahoes are moderately stiff, but even right out of the box there is some flex in the boot while walking. I'm about 215 lbs. The boots may feel stiffer to someone who weighs less. By comparison, the Alico Summit boots are significantly more heavy duty - no flex out of the box, almost like mountaineering boots. I have not hiked in either pair of boots, yet. So I can't comment on how they perform in the field. I have no reason to think they won't be outstanding. | | Jon at Sierra Trading Post on 11/05/2009 | Don't Want to Take Them Off, So Comfy | | Rating: | | | [...] Not to mention price! I'm a 10.5D and Montie with live chat rustled me up a pair in the store that were not online. I read the reviews and decided to get an extra pair. I found 10D online and ordered them before they were gone, sure enough I checked today and 10D gone! When I first put them on, I thought they were going to be too small, I have on smart wool hiking socks and can barely put my finger behind my heel with toes all the way forward. All I can say is comfortable! I don't think these need to be broken in, but I would not go on a long hike without some short distance hiking first. I believe the right socks make a huge difference too. I'm so enamored by the comfortable feeling on my feet that when I took them off I couldn't resist putting them back on my feet again! Feet are so happy!Excellent boot, I believe the best I've ever worn! | | Roger at Sierra Trading Post on 10/16/2009 | Nothing like a real Italian boot | | Rating: | | | If you've never owned a handcrafted Italian or other European boot, next time you buy a boot, go for it. The Chinese may know how to make sneakers, but they're no match against a European boot. I've been wearing 3/4 and full shank European boots for 25 years and have yet to get a bad pair. These boots are full welt, medium weight boots and true to size. I've worn them on and off for two weeks; several days at work in the office with smartwool socks and they don't sweat and have pretty much broken in. I refer to them as medium duty although many would think that they are heavier duty boots. I consider heavy boots full shank and nearly immobile, but great for stability while hunting in the mountains of western PA or hiking in the west. Get a pair of these and enjoy a real boot this fall and winter for a change. | | Craig at Sierra Trading Post on 10/06/2009 | Great value | | Rating: | | | Haven't got them broken in quite yet, but fairly comfortable so far. Good quality leather. I have narrow feet (10.5 C), and the medium I ordered seem to be on the narrow side, which is good for me. Otherwise, the 10.5 seems right. Mine are a little different colors, the left one is slightly lighter than the right, and the leather around the padded collar on the right boot is too loose and is folding awkwardly at the back of the heel. This could be a major blister-maker on a hike, but I think it will lay down over the break in period. The main attraction here is the welted construction (resoling possible), high quality of the leather used, single piece leather for water resistance (no seams to leak) and the price versus comparable brands. Bottom line, a great value. | | cebstp at Sierra Trading Post on 12/22/2009 | Great Classic Hiking Boot! | | Rating: | | | Fantastic boots, they really don't make them like this any more. Remind me of some old school boots my mom bought in Switzerland back in the 60's... she still has them to this day!!!!! Really good looking too, they type of boot that is always stylish and classic! Not too heavy, didn't take long to break in (one day at the office), length wise great fit. Camped and hiked in them all weekend and was very happy. Dry, comfortable, sturdy. [$] Only down side for me personally was that my foot is on the narrow side, and these are a bit wide over the ball of my foot. Not so much so that I would send them back, but that is the only thing that keep these from being absolutely, without a doubt, couldn't be any better, perfect. | | A Crook at Sierra Trading Post on 10/20/2009 |
| Negative Reviews:Too much padding | | Rating: |  | | There's a lot of padding inside the boot and tongue. Too much. Who needs all of that? Just leather would have done. My feet don't need to be pampered and don't need to roast. | | Woodsmucka at Sierra Trading Post on 01/20/2010 |
Neutral Reviews:Best saved for casual wear | | Rating: |  | | I know there are a lot of great reviews for these boots, but I was disappointed with them and returned them. The main problem was the heel was too wide and my heel slipped. That's a dealbreaker for actual hiking. Also, the entire interior of the boot was cloth (except for the back of the tongue). The product description mentions this but I thought it meant the removable insole under your foot. The problem with that is that the cloth will wear out far sooner than the rest of the boot negating any benefit of resoling. Every pair of real hiking boots that I have ever worn had a full grain leather interior. | | The Man at Sierra Trading Post on 01/11/2010 | Pretty But--- | | Rating: | | | Well built sturdy boot that should wear a long time. The boot is stiff, a bit cramped in the toe box especially when having to add inserts for arch support and wearing a heavy sock. The heel also slips up and down but again the inserts add to the problem. The boot really needs a better arch support system. Where is Dunham when you need them? | | Ping Jockey at Sierra Trading Post on 11/28/2009 | good boot | | Rating: | | | I ordered both the Tahoe and the Summit to compare. Both are good boots. The Summit is a heavier boot and looks and feels like a higher quality boot. | | B at Sierra Trading Post on 12/29/2009 | Good boot, not worth the money | | Rating: | | | Nice boot, but for casual walking or light hiking a Timberland PRO would be better. These feel very stiff and heavy. | | Casual Chris at Sierra Trading Post on 12/17/2009 |
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