The only real problem I have with the boots (and some other items, like winged boots, slippers of spider climb, or ring of jumping) is that they have the potential to blur the distinctions between character roles.
Some character concepts, notably the monk and rogue, are built on the ability to do things like move fast, up and around obstacles. Mobility and evasiveness is what defines the monk in practice, as much as unarmed combat or not wearing armour in melee. Similarly, the rogue can get into all sorts of tight spaces (and get out again), with her huge assortment of class skills.
Magic items like boots of striding and springing allow anyone who wears them to move as fast as the monk, which breaks one of the guidelines of the game: never steal a character's schtick. The same goes for rogues and items like slippers of spider climb, and, to a lesser extent, items that allow flight (winged boots, wings of flying, etc). Skill bonus items for Jump, Tumble, Climb, etc also fall into this category.
Some character concepts, notably the monk and rogue, are built on the ability to do things like move fast, up and around obstacles. Mobility and evasiveness is what defines the monk in practice, as much as unarmed combat or not wearing armour in melee. Similarly, the rogue can get into all sorts of tight spaces (and get out again), with her huge assortment of class skills.
Magic items like boots of striding and springing allow anyone who wears them to move as fast as the monk, which breaks one of the guidelines of the game: never steal a character's schtick. The same goes for rogues and items like slippers of spider climb, and, to a lesser extent, items that allow flight (winged boots, wings of flying, etc). Skill bonus items for Jump, Tumble, Climb, etc also fall into this category.
