Hiking boot recommondations

[Drac]

Good day all,

I have seen that many of you are the outdoor rugged type verses me who feel that a hotel without Wi-Fi is roughing it.

Amy and I are doing a lot more hiking around on vacations. Granted most of it is city based but the idea of needing good footwear is getting more critical. Adding on to it our next rip might include some hiking.

I have my military boots but I need to keep them in good shape for the military and they aren't the best around. Quite frankly my athletic shoes are better.

We are looking for your recommendations. Best would be something that can be used for more than hiking and ankle height but these aren't requirements.

Thanks,
Jim

[ctbuchanan]

There a many really good lightweight hiking shoes out there. You would probably be best served by going to a retail outlet with a good selection. REI, LL Bean etc. come to mind.

The key is more the fit to your foot rather than the make. Most of the top brands in my experience are comparable.

Good luck.

[Tobus]

Whoo, that's a loaded question! Hiking boot selection really is dependent on a lot of factors, not the least of which is what feels good on your feet. You can do all the research in the world and find the "perfect" hiking boot based on its specifications, only to find out that it kills your feet.

I had that problem last year in trying to find the perfect boot for heavy backpacking. In the end, after much experimentation and pain, I ended up with a 'lesser' boot than I wanted, simply because it was the only boot I could find that didn't blister me horribly.

So anyway, it sounds like you're not going to be needing any hard-core hiking boots for scaling mountains or crossing glaciers. Mainly city walking and some light hiking (no heavy packs, and probably always on a trail)? Yes?

There is a good selection of hiking shoes/boots out there that perform roughly like sneakers, but have a slight bit more tread to them, as well as a protective nosing over the toes. This is probably the range of boot you would want. But as ctbuchanan said, the only way to really decide is to spend some time at the store, trying them on and walking around.

For light hiking, I like the Merrell Moab Ventilator. It's about in the middle of the quality scale; not great, but not awful either. And the price isn't too bad. It performs like an athletic high-top shoe, it's light-weight, and it breathes nicely when your feet get really hot and sweaty. The Vibram sole grips very well and has a decent tread. I've put many a mile in them.

The downside is that they don't offer much in the way of ankle protection against rolling. But based on your description, you wanted a low boot, so I'm assuming that's not overly important. These boots are also not very well suited to heavy backpacking, as the relatively thin (un-reinforced) soles will transfer every rock straight through to your foot when under heavy loads. But again, for light hiking and city walking, it's a decent shoe for the price.

Others in this same category would likely be just as good. Only way to know for sure is to try a bunch on.

[brewerpaul]

I owned an outdoor retail store once and Vasque boots was our mainstay. The Sundowner is their oldest model for good reason. They run about 190.00$ and are Gore Tex lined. The come in widths and hace mens and womens sizes. The have other good and less expensive models. Asolo is also very goood with similar models and prices. My advice. Dont skimp on your boots. If you plan rugged trails and packs get a solid boot, for mixed trails with day packs or no pack buy a midrange price boot. Then remember to invest in good socks. Thorlo or smartwool hikers.

[chipsmith]

I concur with Tobus. As it happens I'm wearing a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilators right now in Afghanistan and they're really comfortable right out of the box. Like Tobus said, though, if you're just hiking around they're great but I've found under a load you'll feel rocks under your feet.

[Andy Proffitt]

My suggestion is an all leather boot, anywhere in the 6" area. My hiking is in the Smokies, in the high desert in NM/AZ/NV, and some in Washington. I've found all leather keeps the water out the best, offers more support in the ankle and protects the foot from pokes jabs and such, better than any of the leather/canvas amalgamations. If you want a more breathable option, I love my Keen Gunnisons (no longer made of course) and the Oboz Firebrand. These are lighter, trail shoes and as Tobus said, there is little help from them with the ankle.

The old Vasque Sundowner was the best all leather hiker, but since it's move to China fit and feel have changed so much me and my hiking companeros have sworn off them. A lot have gone to the Asolo TPS 520 GV or the Scarpa SL M3, bot are awesome boots but Narrow too much at the toe box for me. I wear a line only availabel at Sierra Trading Post the Alico either the Summit or the Tahoe. They are both heavy duty super tanks and fit my wide foot. Two other options I see with some frequency are the Zamberlan Panther and the Danner Mountain Lite, but have idea about their fit.

[Tobus]

Then remember to invest in good socks. Thorlo or smartwool hikers.

Good point. Socks are every bit as important as boots. I tried some of the Thorlo synthetic socks, and while they do help wick moisture away, they make my feet stink to high heaven after only a couple of hours on the trail!

I am now a complete and unapologetic convert to Smartwool. Even in the hottest of weather, they are the only socks that my poor sweaty feet can tolerate. And still, I have to rotate socks about every 1-1/2 hours. But they're wonderful socks. I even switched out all my normal everyday dress socks (that I wear to work while sitting at my desk) to Smartwool.

I've found all leather keeps the water out the best, offers more support in the ankle and protects the foot from pokes jabs and such, better than any of the leather/canvas amalgamations.

Another fair point. I prefer more breathable shoes due to my hyperhidrosis issue (extreme sweating of the feet and hands), but they don't protect very well against rain, wet grass, etc. Rather the opposite, in fact. In order to breathe well, they must let moisture out, which necessarily means they will let moisture in too. On the plus side, though, when your feet do get wet, they dry out quickly. So I suppose it depends on whether you will do much hiking when it's wet out.

As for protection from thorns and such, this is why I hike with WWII canvas leggings. They protect everything but the front part of my foot. And they also offer a lot in the way of protection against ankle rolling when laced up properly.

I find this to be the best of both worlds. I get ankle protection and protection against thorns and cactus (which grow in abundance where I live), but breathability too. And I can wear my light hiking boots by themselves, or with the leggings. Kinda like a 'modular' approach to hiking footwear.

[creagdhubh]

Asolo, LL Bean, The North Face, Merrell, and Marmot are my top picks. Just be sure they are Gore-Tex, have a Vibram sole, have enough ankle support, fit well, feel good, and aren't too heavy. Socks can be just as important as the boots, so be sure to test out various hiking socks. Thorlo and Wigwam are my top picks. I've been an avid backpacker/mountaineer since I was a little kid, seriously, and those key aspects have never let me down.

P.S. - My father, who is recently retired, completed his second ascent of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming this past summer. For the approach and the non-technical part of his climb, he wore Asolo AFS Guides and loved them.

Best of luck,

[gary meakin]

These are advertised as a 'walking' shoe but I wear them hiking and the are the most comfortable hikers I've ever owned.
Very rugged too.
New Balance 978s

[Seanmadra]

I have two pairs of Meindl, one low rise, light weight good for day hikes and the second pair are solid, vibram soled, that rise over the ankle. Both are over ten years old and have gone many miles in the Bavarian Alps and the Scottish Highlands.