Bought the pair to use with crampons as I am off for some winter mountaineering this year. As they are much stiffer than normal walking boots, they take some time to getting used to. I basically 'cushned' the front inside a bit with gel pads to ease the pain unter toes and the front of my feet. The heal area is well cushoned already, so no blisters at all. They are perfect to go scrambling, walk in mixed terrain and put on the crampons. I am all around quite happy with my purchase. I would give it 5 stars, but for that they would have needed to be totally painless, so four+ from me.