 With their durability and extreme-weather adaptability, they are worn by snow-plough drivers, cable car operators, mountain rangers (especially in the winter), rescue paramedics, ski lift operators and snowcat drivers.Mountaineering boots are generally considered to be too stiff for backpacking on established trails.In recent years, companies have been making mountaineering boots to be NFPA compliant so they may be used in wildland firefighting.