L.L. Bean Cresta Hikers
Average Rating: 
Reviewed by 32 Trailspace users
Description
The Cresta Hikers is a backpacking boot made by L.L. Bean. It has an average rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5), based on 32 user reviews.
User Reviews
Men's Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by wildthing13, Mar 23, 2008
"These boots are amazing. I've only gone on a couple of hikes so far, but their comfort is already obvious. They just form to your foot's shape, similar to a baseball glove. Also, they seem to actually be waterproof and durable. Would defin. recommend them to anyone looking for a comfortable, durable pair of hiking boots."
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Men's Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Jsted, Oct 03, 2007
"Just finished backpacking 75 miles in Spain over five days with the Crestas. The terrain was varied from rocky paths to some roads. Uphill and down. The boots were worn with liners and a second pair of either medium or medium-heavy socks. The boots were a pleasure to put on in the morning."
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Men's Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Nate, Jul 29, 2007
"Best boots ever made? These are very possibly the greatest boots ever made. I have worn them with over 70lbs on my back and my feet and bad ankles were glad I did. Picture walking on air and you will have some idea how comfortable these boots are."
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Men's Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Mac67, Jun 22, 2007
"Great boots right out of the box. I've had 2 pairs. The rand on one pair failed (left boot near your big toe) L. L. Bean customer service is by far the best in the industry, if not the world. They sent me a new pair.
The only complaint I have is for a $180 boot made in Italy the footbed insert is very flimsy/cheap."
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Men's Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Alvin Pyne, May 04, 2007
"Okay, I do love these boots. Italian craftsmanship and durability, and Bean customer service. I hike arduously in the Sierra Nevada. I'm giving the Crestas four stars just to take a jab at LL Bean: Why did you guys stop making the Speed Guide Hikers? Gore-tex, Kevlar, leather, and Vibram, these flat out were the best backpack boots on the planet."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Ronni Bossie, Apr 12, 2007
"I was raised right near the flagship store and I have owned three pairs of these boots. I am VERY sad to say that I do have only one complaint. The inside of both rands, towards the toes, pulls away after about a year on all three pairs. I am sad to report this because these boots are by far THE MOST COMFORTABLE BOOT I have ever worn!!!! If Bean's would stitch and not glue their rands, this would be a non-issue."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Nov 13, 2006
"A glaring design flaw ruins these otherwise well-made, comfortable boots: the seam for the Gore-tex liner runs up the middle of the heel cup and no amount of breaking-in will get it to flatten out. Ugly, deep blisters resulted from wearing these boots on a five-day hike and 14'er summit in Colorado."
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Men's Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Nov 01, 2006
"Awsome boot. The first hike I did with these boots was the 18-mile loop in the Rawah wilderness. Not a single blister or sore spot. I walked through rivers and had no problems with wet feet. I carried a fifty pound pack and I weigh 250 pounds, no problems there either."
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Men's Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Brian, Aug 29, 2006
"These boots are excellent. Before my first hike in them I only wore them to work at my office job for two days as a break in. I then hiked a very rough 12 miles with a 30 pound pack--these boots could not have been more comfotable.
I have since worn these boots on several very rugged day hikes and they have been outstanding."
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Men's Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Gary Moore, Sep 21, 2005
"I live in the UK, where L. L. Bean is completely unknown, but having tried various leather backpacking boots that are popular here in Europe (Meindl, Raichle, Scarpa) and not being particularly happy with any of them, and having seen the reviews on here and on www."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by OnetreeMore, Aug 28, 2004
"I was looking for a boot that I could use on and off the trail. I read all the reviews, and I decided on these shoes from L. L. Bean, due in part to their legiondary service, and liberal return policy. I wear a size 10 1/2 in a running shoe, between D and EE, so I wasn't sure if the 10 1/2 D would be the right size when worn with heavy wool socks."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX)
Reviewed by Scott Dean, Sep 08, 2003
"I have tried a lot of boots and none compared to this one. My feet are a bit messed up (narrow heel, really high arch, and wide forefoot), and I require custom orthotics which most boots just don't accommodate. I had looked at/tried out Vasque, Merrel, Danner, Montrail, Dunham and Asolo before reading the good reviews on the Cresta."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX)
Reviewed by Smokey, Aug 27, 2003
"These are rugged, classic, well-built, soundly-designed boots. I expected a lengthy break-in period for such fairly heavy duty boots like these, but on my first time out with them (7 hours up, along and down the Kinsman Ridge in the Whites), I was completely comfortable and didn't experience any blistering, hot spots, jammed toes or other unpleasantries."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Angus Mctavish, Apr 09, 2002
"I was just going through my boookmarks and found a review here I made back in "99. I quit school 2 years ago and bought a cattle and poultry ranch. I've worn these same boots every day these past two tears and want to let everyone know how they hold up."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by John LeMieux, Nov 25, 2001
"I bought the boots at LL Bean (25 Min. from home). Fit was great as I tried them on and walked the inclines in the store. They have been a great day hike boot. Good support for my mid-foot particularly on descents. I have used them above treeline on rock, on all types of trails, and for casual walks in the woods and still pleased with value for price."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX, women's)
Reviewed by B. Johnson, Nov 09, 2001
"I just wanted to make a comment on the sizing. I ordered a pair of these boots in size 10 1/2. L. L. Bean suggests these boots be used with heavy weight socks. I read some of the comments on this site that suggested that these boots be ordered about a half a size smaller."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by DAMIAN ALBANESE, Aug 30, 2001
"The boot is a very stable shoe. If you are embarking on a serious off-road trip, encountering many miles, I embrace it. If you are looking for a day boot, this is not the choice. The boot is Gore-Tex and is truly waterproof. I emerged my foot in a stream and timed how long it took for the water to seep in."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX)
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Aug 29, 2001
"I was shopping high and low for my first pair of high dollar hiking boots. I originally considered Vasque, Zamberlain, and Raichle, but was turned off when I found out many models are now imported and not made in Italy anymore.
On top of that, I have wide feet, and that pretty much limits me to Vasque or Danner."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX)
Reviewed by Michael Stolting, Jul 27, 2000
"I have short, wide feet. My normal shoe size is 8 1/2 EEE. I have great difficulty in finding any store stocking a "wide" size boot for me to try on. My last pair of boots I found on sale for under $200. 00. They are Vasque Super Hikers. I found them in 8 1/2 wide."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Brian Young, Mar 01, 2000
"This has been an excellent boot. I've had it for over a year now and am very happy. I did 15 miles in the boot with a heavy pack the first weekend and had no problems. I have used the boot mostly in very cold conditions but have done some summer hiking in them as well."
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Cresta Hikers (all leather)
Reviewed by Graham, Feb 08, 2000
"I've had my crestas for a couple years now and i really like them. They fit really well and there's plenty of room in the toebox for me to wiggle my little piggies. The heelbox fits me nice and snug. The gore-tex membrane works pretty well, i guess."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Jan 27, 2000
"NO NEED TO READ OTHER REVIEWS.
These boots are, far and away, the best ever owned (by a serious backpacker). Soft leather, great support, great tracking..."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Angus McTavish, Dec 31, 1999
"After reading reviews for L. L. Bean’s Cresta leather hikers for several months, I finally ordered a pair last week. I must say everything I have read is more than true. These are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. They are more comfortable than my daily wear Nikes."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX)
Reviewed by Jp, Aug 30, 1999
"I gave the last review of the Cresta and wanted to follow up after 100 miles of hard duty on this boot in the high mountains of Utah through days of rain, mud, and stream crossings. I didn't know then, but I can tell you now that these are COMPLETELY waterproof (except, of course, for that big hole in the top of the boot)."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX, women's)
Reviewed by Percival, Apr 20, 1999
"Funny thing about this review is that I bought these boots based on the reviews I read right here. I agree with all the other folks that say this a great boot. Very supportive, high quality leather, excellent workmanship, very good fit, and COMFORTABLE."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX)
Reviewed by Michael McWilliams, Apr 13, 1999
"This boot is a work of art. . . and even the great reviews don't do it justice.
The uppers are simply things of functional beauty - thick, luxurious leather-- meticulously constructed. Perfect right down to the smallest stitch.
The cut and form reflect Bean's years of refinement, working with the same Italian bootmaker."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX)
Reviewed by Hersch, Jan 05, 1999
"Best boots I have ever owned. Like many of my fellow gear heads out there, I tend to buy more and better equipment than I will ever use. (i. e. VE-25 expedition tent for fall camping in Virginia) I have made this mistake in the past by purching very expensive, heavy boots for backpacking in the blueridge."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by Dope-On-A-Rope, Sep 28, 1998
"Basically, I purchased these trusting the reviews of others and I am very pleased. I wear a 10EE so I got the wide width model. I hike in the southeast so I'm very concerned about water!!! Which ironically I haven't encountered really bad weather since I got them."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX)
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, May 29, 1998
"I tried Asolo 535, Vasque Clarion II and Sundowner, and Merrell Grand Traverse--none of them fit like this boot. I have about 30 miles on them without a blister or a hotspot.
They are hot on the feet, but that's just the GTX."
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Cresta Hikers
Reviewed by an anonymous hiker, Jul 12, 1997
"These boots are beautifully made and fit well. They come in 3 widths and are hand assembled in Italy. They have a Gore-Tex bootie and offer fantastic support. They blow the Vasque Sundowners I have away! I wish I had bought these first! A great buy too at $159."
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Cresta Hikers (GTX, women's)
Reviewed by madsen@..., Mar 26, 1997
"These are fantastic boots. I (a woman) have narrow feet and these were a perfect fit. I hiked 13 miles the first weekend (over Lincoln, Haystack and Lafayette) and not a hot spot or blister did I get. I love them. The next hike in torrential downpours to Zealand and I stayed dry and comfortable. Trust me these are GREAT!!"
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