The good thing about the climbers and pretty much all of the Meindl boots I've tried, is the lining. Eventually (after a month or two) it forms to your foot and stays that way. Even the soles mold to every dip and bump. One reason I put up with a few problems with the outer uppers on rare occasions, is because the lining is superior. I seriously broke my left ankle in my early twenties and ended up with an ankle with fewer moving parts, the Meindls are not only one of the most comfortable, they actually make long walks possible for me.

After the first couple of weeks and a good rubdown with a quality soft wax ( I call it boot grease ) for the Gortex or silicon wax for the non Gortex I've never had any blisters or rubs. The Meindl brand dressings are always the best, but I've used various sorts. Once the outer begins to form to your foot, the liner (sides and sole) molds to your foot and eventually stays that way.

The down side to the climbers is if you do much kneeling, the boot barely bends and you end up with all your weight on your knees. The other down side is they are heavy. The up side is it has to be seriously cold before your feet get cold or even cool. Another up side is they have a lot of ankle support, a lot like ski boots. I may fall down someday and break something, but I seriously doubt it will be an ankle.