User Review: Alico New Guide

Alico New Guide
Above: The current New Guide, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed April 11, 2006 by Matt Pimental

Rating:

This is an old fashion boot, which explains its classic good styling, extraordinary build quality, and extreme discomfort. I've put over 1000 miles on my feet this year, and I am totally unsatisified with this shoe.

Out of the box the Alico is as stiff as a ski boot. But that is to be expected with a heavy duty boot. I did many short day hikes (around 10 miles) with these boots to loosen them up. After two months (120-150 miles) the boots continued to make my feet utterly sore. I started bringing sneakers in my pack to change into as the pain become unbrearable, still hoping the the boots would eventually break in.

Finally, I realised there must be a defect, so I brought them to my local cobbler. He showed me how the sole of the boot was cut improperly and was forcing me to walk on the outside of my feet, causing the pain I was experiencing. I had the problem corrected for $50.

This correction stopped the pain in the bottoms of my feet, but the boot continued to rub and create blisters on the tops of my toes where the crease in the leather folds into the toe box. The boots remain unwearable.

I have finally given up on these boots. I've spent a pile of money, and I am utterly unimpressed with the final product because as well built and attractive as the boots are, they cause my feet pain. Please note that the other reviewers have not come to the same conclusion as me, and it is possible that I was unlucky enough to get a lemon pair.

Nonetheless, I can't in good faith recommend this product.