Is it 100% hype? No. But is it mostly hype? I think so. I have an LLBean 8'6" 4wt, and an Cabelas LSI 6wt that I would stack up against most of the top end rods costing 3-4 times their price. Then again, I have a late model un-sanded Orvis Far-and-Fine 5wt that I feel beats every rod in the test that was posted. And it's over 20yrs old. LOL I've bought and sold a lot of high-end rods over the years. Most failed to justify the cash required. There are a good number of $250 rods that cast and fish right along with anything out there. IMO.