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I originally had a pair of DC Park Boots, so my feet (and my knees) were already accustomed to and spoiled by quality boots that did wonders for feel, comfort and quality.
I was in the market for a pair of replacement boots that wouldn't break the bank and at first I was just tempted to buy another park of DC Park's, but I scored a pretty good deal (reg. $270 CAD, on sale for $115 CAD) on the Forum Destroyer's (2008 model) so I thought to give them a try.
Right off the bat, one of the things I noticed about the Destroyer's were that they're pretty slim in terms of profile and not bulky at all, but they fit really well, offer PLENTY of support and cushioning and allow for a fair level of customization in the footbed support. I have really bad knees (lateral and medial meniscus tears in both knees) so I need to wear orthotics and the removable arch support in the Destroyer's was great as there was plenty of room for my orthotics and still plenty of cushioning afterwards.
At first, I found that it's liner felt somewhat odd at first, like the back of my leg/calf didn't necessarily press right up tight against the back of the boot so I was worried that I wouldn't get the support I needed, but just after the first few runs, my concerns became quite unfounded and easily disappeared. I noticed that the support and lacing for the liner was designed to cup your leg from the SIDE rather than from the back, which made it feel more snug that traditional liners. And whether it was goofing around in the parks or going for a casual run down the mountain, the liner was comfortable with good support, flex and responsiveness.
Another good thing I like about the Destroyer's is one of the things that make it similiar to the DC Park's - the footbed and sole of the boot, while very cushiony, forgiving and supportive, was very reponsive and it felt very "close" to the board. It never felt like I was standing inches from the board. Typically with boots you'll find that you don't really feel the board under you because the soles are too thick, but with the Destroyer's, much like the Park's, I never had that problem and felt like I was more connected and had better control and response from the board whenever I was carving or grinding.
One last thing about the Destroyer's that I would make it the boot worth recommending with a decent price-range ($150-$250, CAD), is that it's very breathable, very light and does a great job and keeping my feet warm all day and all night. My feet always felt dry and warm and it never really felt bulky or calmy or uncomfortable from wearing it for long periods at a time.
Definitely a boot I'd recommend to anyone in the mark for a quality park boot that's equally great for free-riding and not looking to spend an-arm-and-a-leg for high-end boots.
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