I bought this shoe on the advice of another climber who said he uses it for everything under 5.10. At first, I thought he was making a play on words. Ken is a better climber: I use them on everything to 5.9 -- and like them more than my standard climbing shoes. I like long hikes because I enjoy hikes and distant crags are less crowded. These shoes let me skip carrying another pair of shoes. My foot is narrow and these fit perfect. They are snug like a climbing shoe and give plenty of protection from rocks while hiking. I've used them on quartzite, limestone, and pegmatite without problem. My pair is only two months old, so have no idea how they hold up over time. They have not stretched and still feel perfect. When they wear out, I will buy the same model again.