3 stars because they fit well and were comfortable for 4 months of weekend wearing for hiking.  Within the last 3 weeks the outside wall of the right foot shoe broke down and creased and starting hitting my ankle and causing a bruise.  I've tried tying them more loosely and wearing different socks but it seems that the defect is in the shoe and cannot be compensated by me.  The last thing I tried was tuck a sock as pad along the broken down side and that helped but isn't something I'd expect to have to do. So, I am going to see if I can either exchange or return them. Too bad because Vasque boots have been  great for me in the past. Also, being all leather, it's to be expected, I guess,  that they don't breathe too well and need to be deodorized regularly, whereas, none of my other boots have had to, maybe they had vents.