Garmisch - 3911

These lightweight boots are pliable, high quality leather with a supportive footbed. The tongue and collar are padded. Even though they only come in one width, the toe box is wide. (For reference, I take a 4E in men's New Balance running shoes, and the Garmisch fit me perfectly.) This is a very well made boot, absolutely worth the money. Their only drawback is that the sole is not especially rugged, so they aren't suitable for hiking on slippery terrain. I have wide, almost flat feet from years of running, and these are the only boots that fit me anymore. If you have Fred Flintstone feet like mine, give them a try. Yes, they are expensive, but: Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.

Unless you have freakishly high arches you should avoid this boot, and all Finn shoes. After wearing this boot for 4 hours I was in extreme pain, perhaps doing permanent damage to my feet. If you are doing anything other than just standing, this footbed design is bio mechanically wrong. The arch of the foot is not made for supporting weight, in fact it is elevated to avoid weight bearing as well as for mechanical advantage. The Finn shoes wrongly put a HUGE arch in their footbed which interferes with the foots proper functioning. Fortunately, the insole is removable, so I will either grind down the arch, or get another brand insole. Otherwise, the boots are nice, if perhaps too expensive. They are high quality construction with good leathers, could use a bit more forefoot cushioning and torsional resistance, and the heel could be a tad higher. I think with the right insole modifications, they could be comfortable.

These boots are great, but are too expensive. I have a history of plantar fasciitis, and so was wading through all of the limited options for hiking boots, when someone at the Birkenstock s store mentioned Finn has a cork footbed. I found them online, and pondered purchasing them for months. Things to consider: 1) I don t agree that the size runs large. I am a six and a half, and I purchased a size 4. They are a perfect size for me, and possibly even a little too small. Just slightly though, and partly because of reasons outlined below. 2) I like the leather. They seem to break in easily. I don t like the height of the heel. Ideally I d have completely flat or even a slightly negative heel. 3) These work for me only because I was able to insert a Birkenstock s footbed. These boots are awesome, but only because they are flat and wide enough once you take out their footbed to insert your own thing. Their footbed does not have enough mid-arch support for me. Also, in the images you see online, you DO NOT see a good thing that the boot does have that the sole hits continuously on the ground. Ie, there is no little space at the middle of the foot between the ground and the sole of the shoe. I cannot explain this, but I know that s part of the reason these work for me. It facilitates that roll . 4) Once I did everything I needed to do to make these mine, I love them. I like the ankle support, the traction and the lacing up action that goes all the way almost to the toes, which allows for roominess across the widest part of the front of your foot. Also, I love that my toes don t feel crunched, even as I said, that I have inserted a bulkier footbed, and I think bought a slightly too small size. They still have roominess around the toes. I believe that my plantar fasciitis originated from working as a CNA (ie, on my feet all day thinking I would go be a doctor), doing tons of yoga, training for an ultramarathon, biking, walking you name it I was doing it on my feet, and doing it either barefoot or with no-support shoes like Merrill s, and often in well-worn Brook s Cascadia (not good if you need excellent arch support). Currently, I wear Birkenstock s, these Finn Garmischs, and Brook s Transcend 3 which I love, but also had to add a hard half orthotic in the heel. I think I m to the point where I understand my condition and now have the tools to keep moving a lot. Also, toe stretches and calf stretches key. But no, your shoe will not do everything. You have to find your "footprint".

This boot is designed for people with very high arches. If you don't have high arches, avoid this boot as it will be uncomfortable and possible harmful to your feet unless you replace the insole with a more moderate one. Otherwise, the boot is well made using high quality leather. This is not an off-trail type of hiking boot. Its best use would be urban or groomed trail use. One note, some of these boots will squeak when new. This is not a defect, but due to the soft leather lining rubbing against the tongue. The fix is to lightly powder the leather surfaces that squeak.

I purchased these boots and a pair of work boots for my son. These are his dress boots, so they are not worn as often. He loves the comfort, however, they squeak. If we had kept the shipping box we would return them.

I've bought a lot of shoes and boots over the years at all price levels, but I have never worn anything as comfortable or as well made as Finn Comfort. Now that they offer American sizes it makes it even easier. This was my first purchase from Zappos and it was a rewarding experience.

You can't beat them for the workmanship and the right out of the box comfort. You get what you pay for and they are worth it. All around comfort is is provided by the soft leather, padded ankle collar and soft insole. Wear nothing but Finns.

AMAZING boot - This is the most amazing boot; you can see and smell the quality of this product before it even goes on your foot. The leather is one of the best grades I’ve ever seen. I like the padded ankle and the foot bed. It easily accommodates orthodics. I balked at the price but when I saw the boots I felt like it was well worth it.