northface boots

I can honestly say that finding a proper pair of boots is extremely challenging. There are a variety of choices one must make to have the best pair possible. 

Fit

Having boots that fit well will boost your confidence and give support to everything from you arches to your back and even your ego (from standing up straighter). The NF Fastpack boots fit like a proper hiking boot. Well supported in the foot bed and ankle but the Vibram soles offer enough flexibility to walk comfortably through the streets when you get home from the mounatins. Weight wise they aren't much more than a standard tennis shoe but offer all the protection of a boot, so you can keep trekking through the back country.  

Function

Nothing is ever "water proof," it is more of water resistant. The Fastpack has a breathable Goretex membrane that allows your feet to breathe but keeps the water out. So, do these boots keep water out? Yep, unless you decide crossing Knee-deep streams on a fully loaded dual sport bike is on the itinerary. In that case, fly fishing waders might be the better option. 

Worth It?

This is the second pair of these boots I have owned and I actually still own and wear the first pair. These boots are durable and comfortable (I wore them for 11 days straight). They take all the beatings of hiking, riding, and walking I can throw at them. Vibram soles + Goretex construction and a price point of $130 means it is tough to find a better product for the same money.