I got a pair of these at the Northface sale, and they are by far the stiffest boots I have ever owned. I have used them on a couple trips, and they have great support and are nice an toasty warm. I wore them up to Mailbox peak to break them in, and instead I think my feet were broken into the boot! I would just wear them on snow, and skip breaking them in on a steep non-snow hike if I did it again. I haven't had any problems like fern mentions, but it doesn't surprise me. The soles don't flex at all...so more likely they would crack.