Customer Reviews Ariat Catalyst VX Defiant 8" GTX

I needed some new boots and decided to try out the Ariat Catalyst VX Defiant 8" GTX but then I also noticed the Ariat Catalyst VX Defiant 10" GTX 400G, which is a slightly taller boot. So, I ordered both and figured I'd send one of them back after I figured out which I liked better. I sure like the rugged bark light-brown look of the 8" boot over the darker 10" boot, but the comfort and height of the 10" has me sold. I'd punch my mother if I could get the 10" boot in the lighter brown color, but I figure the dark has it's advantages in that it won't stain as easily or darken when it gets wet. The extra height of the boot will also be a huge advantage for me since I really like to hike out into the wet muck. Both boot feels similar except for the extra height of the 10". The difference is that the 10" might rub your lower calf, so loosen up the top or don't even lace those top hooks. Neither the 8" or 10" boot digs or rubs in at the top edge, which is a problem I've had before. The leather on these is soft and flexible. Comfort is a problem I've had with boots in the past, but these felt great. The flexibility is fantastic and when I do flex the boot, I don't feel anything digging in or poking me anywhere. The interior is nice a smooth up and down the leg shaft. My one complaint about the 10" boot is that the laces may be too short if you wear a thick sock and want to lace that thing all the way up. The 8" boot seems like it has the same lace length, so it doesn't have this problem. The 10" laces should have been just a tad longer. The grip and stance of the base is perfect in every way. Great ankle support while still allowing normal forward-moving flexibility. You won't roll your ankle in these. In addition to everything else, these boots look great. They have the right mix of rugged utility with a little bit of brass and leather craft to make them stand out. Weight may be an issue if you plan on trekking the distance in these. Leather will probably never beat synthetics in that category. Finally cost is an issue here. You can get other outdoor boots for a little more than half the price. But for me the comfort, obvious quality of craftsmanship, and the look make it worth the cost. I'm really happy with these. Happy enough to write a review, which isn't something I usually bother with. Note that the Zappos pictures of the 10" boot is much redder than the actual color. I think they adjusted the color, because even the laces are redder than they should be. Take this into account and look at the Ariat product page itself for a better representation of the color. The 8" boot color is spot-on.