Pound for pound, there's just not a better hiking boot out there. That's how I justify the price tag: I bought these boots, and I'm going to own them for the rest of my life. They're also, in my experience, a lot more comfortable because of that extra weight. Foot support and ankle stability are built in, which I find lacking with a lot of more trendy boots. If you can't get past the weight of an old-school boot, I'd still recommend Danner.