-brett: I don't have such good experiences with Garmont Dragontail GTX boots as zokipoki claims. The boots are stiff and mainly for walking on flat and, as you say, walking on gravel around home, uncomfortable. I'm not satisfied with them at all. And I'm not a beginner. True, I'm not stubborn either. Can't praise the Vibram sole either; it's quite inferior and slips faster on rock than the sole on La Sportiva shoes. Mine mostly stay on the shelf in the closet. For running of course totally unsuitable.