Seems I can't ever find a pair of boots that I really like outside my 17 yr old Lacrosse Alpha's. Wish I had bought 3 pairs back then, new ones are just too bulky/heavy compared with my old pair. I've been buying and reselling boots pretty seriously looking for a lace-up pair to complement my Alpha's as their days are numbered (got holes in both boots from different turkey's spurring me during a neck hold). Anyway, I got my hands on some Danner Sharptail lace-ups at the Huntsville Cabela's Bargain Cave and took a 3 mile hike up/down a mountain yesterday, 5 out of 5 stars. Ran true to size, I wear 11.5 shoe and these fit perfectly with a light pair of wool hiking socks. I could snug-up my feet in all the right places without having some part of the tongue, lace anchor rivet (whatever it's called), or seam dig into me every step... they didn't slide or rub going uphill, downhill, or the level areas. I'm just kicking myself for not getting on the Danner train a few yrs back when I passed up a new pair for half price.