Danner Women's Jag Distressed Brown/Deep Teal Hiking Boots - Waterproof Outdoor Boots for Hiking, Camping & Trail Walking

I am an avid hiker on my downtime and also am a natural resource specialist for work, so I have been in desperate need of a good hiking boot without breaking the bank (and I was hoping for a more versatile look with the Danner Jag).I was nervous to go with this boot as there were not many reviews from those who purchased them for extensive hiking, so I will break down what found:Fit: 4.5/5: The fit of these boots worked great for me. I am usually between an 8 and and 8.5, and an 8 worked perfect. I usually have to wear thicker socks for work and the boot was snug without being uncomfortable. Inserts are suggested if you have high arches like me, but since I'm in hiking boots almost 24/7 between work and play I always have my inserts in my go-to boots, so this was not a big deal for me.Break in: 5/5: The break in of these boots was incredible. No matter what the quality I almost always get blisters when breaking in new boots, but not so with the Danner Jag. I wore them around town for a couple days, then wore them for work (I hike/bushwack for work around 7 miles a day, so no small thing) for a week and they worked great. No blisters or sore feet at the end of the day.Waterproof-ness: 3/5: I haven't fully tested the capability of the waterproofness of these boots, but they stood up to muck pretty well. Based on the fabric and when crossing a couple streams they don't appear to have the same waterproofness of other boots I've had in the past. HOwever they breathe well so there's a tradeoff there.Grip of tread: 3.5/5: The grip of the tread works wonderfully on dry, rocky trails, fall leaves, and mucky surfaces. However be cautious on slick, wet surfaces such as stream rocks-- the tread does not seem to grip well on wet uneven surfaces.Overall I am satisfied with my purchase considering what I was looking for. May not be the 100% best hardcore hiking boot but the ease of the break-in, the comfort, and the stylish appearance was worth some of the other drawbacks. Hoping they stand up to the test of time!I hardly ever write reviews, but am seriously pleased with these, and it's the reviews that prompted me to buy them--so to pass on the favor. I started wearing Lem's a couple of years ago, and since then have been on the hunt for a good minimalist style hiking/walking shoe that is waterproof, which is necessary for the Pacific Northwest, and has a thicker sole. I don't buy that all these people are dancing merrily down rocky trails without ever getting jabbed painfully in the sole. So here you go, fellow fans of minimalist shoes.I wouldn't call these a minimalist shoe by any stretch of the imagination, but they are an excellent middle ground. The toe box is not wide, but is roomier than most hiking shoes I've tried. There is a good balance of cushion inside without being overbuilt with massive amounts of arch support, as well as soles that are thick enough to protect but not massive concrete blocks on the end of your feet that stop you from feeling the ground.They are comfortable from the get go. I didn't experience any of the fitting issues or discomfort others have. ALSO YES, they are waterproof. Found myself ankle deep in water, and my feet stayed dry. Granted, they are brand new, I've only tramped about five or six miles in them, but so far so good.They do run large. I'm between a 9 and 9.5 and a 9 fit perfectly, a little roomy even.I’ve had these about year now. I don’t do a lot of reviews unless it’s something I really hate or really really love. These boots I absolutely love! We hike a lot in the Appalachian Mountains, so it’s tough place, very slick snd muddy places, and sometimes it’s very steep. These boots have never failed me in any terrain. They are super comfortable, lightweight, and they are NOT hot like other boots and hiking shoes I have worn. I have a really bad knee and ankle and have a really hard time finding something that’s comfortable that also supports my ankle but these are perfect! Another wonderful PLUS, they are waterproof! As long as the water doesn’t go down the top of the boot my feet stay 100% dry! 10/10 recommend!!I ordered the dark brown (Java/black) pair. I ordered a 9. I wear an 8.5 in New Balance tennis shoes and a 9 in On Running shoes. I wore a medium dense wool sock initial and had a snug, but comfortable fit. Thinner socks obviously left more room (I'm ok with that). I'm not a heavy hiker either. I use these for camping and Jeep trips (light trekking in river beds, rocks, and wooded areas. Kept my feet dry walking through a shallow (just below my ankles and top of the boots) river, and dew covered ground. My feet were a bit too warm for warm/hot (mid 80's and sunny) outdoor activities in these boots. Perfect for the cooler nights though. Easy to walk in, relatively easy breaking in period. There comfortable and cute. Also, the red trim is more brick red than bright red like the picture; but the other coloring is pretty accurate. I would recommend these.I bought these for a trip to New Zealand where we were going to go on a day hike (6 hours). I really love the look of the retro hiking boots, but most were too aggressive for a day hike. I saw that Danner came back with their Jag boot and I immediately fell in love. They are comfortable, and really cute! I haven't taken them hiking yet, but am a little worried since I have since read reviews that state these aren't for hiking and are more for city-wear. I'm hoping these will work for my needs. They feel more substantial than just city wear, but I will report back once I hike in them.Only con is that they seem really long. I ordered my standard size 7. They fit true to size, but they look oddly large on me, compared to other shoes and boots. Maybe I'm just not used to a chunkier boot. I don't think sizing down to a 6.5 would work as they'd be too small, but I'm a little bummed that they make my feet look bigger than they are -- kind of like clown shoes (see photo). Not a deal breaker, but still kind of a bummer.I’m very pleased with these boots. They’re comfortable straight out of the box and perfect for day hiking. I read the reviews of others and decided to order a half size smaller than I usually wear, which was just perfect. I have a narrow foot and bought these boots in an 8.5 ( where I usually wear a 9).Comfortable hiking boot.