Hiking boot recommondations

[Drac]

Sounds like a good choice for your purposes. The Moab Ventilators are the most breathable shoes I could find, without going straight to a hiking sandal (which I did consider). Sandals wouldn't work for me because of the loose gravel and thorny terrain I hike through. But you might consider at least looking at some sandals too, while you're at the store.

Keen makes some pretty cool hiking sandals, such as the Arroyo II model. Sandal hiking is all the rage these days for certain types of hikers, and I can see why it has such appeal. I own a pair of their Newport sandals, and I sometimes use them for regular walking on dirt roads and well-defined paths. But if I were going to take up sandal hiking, the Arroyo II would be my choice. And I'd probably wear them with socks, dorky though it may be.

Fasion police has spoken, no sandles. With socks invokes the "Oh shoot me now" clause in our marriage

As for military boots, they have changed quite a bit over the years. My current ones are made for the desert not the streets. I don't like these all that much. Granted the brushed are better than the polish but I would take my old boondockers over these. Also I need to keep the ones I have for military duty. The unit won't be happy with me if I wore them out before going on an excersise.

Jim

[Alan H]

There are lots of things that I buy online.

Hiking boots are NOT, I repeat NOT one of them. So I really, really, really hope that the Amazon.com link that you showed us was for picture purposes only, and not because you're buying them from Amazon. GO TO A BACKPACKING STORE AND TRY THEM ON.

I'm not sure how much more loudly I can scream this, in this online venue. GO TO A BACKPACKING STORE AND TRY THEM ON.

[azwildcat96]

There are lots of things that I buy online.

Hiking boots are NOT, I repeat NOT one of them. So I really, really, really hope that the Amazon.com link that you showed us was for picture purposes only, and not because you're buying them from Amazon. GO TO A BACKPACKING STORE AND TRY THEM ON.

I'm not sure how much more loudly I can scream this, in this online venue. GO TO A BACKPACKING STORE AND TRY THEM ON.

I whole-heartedly agree with this. Shoes are not something that I would mail order, unless I had already tried the exact same one on at a retail store first. Style is easy to see. Fit and comfort is impossible to judge.

I did this with my last pair of snake-proof hunting boots; tried on pairs locally, then placed the order on-line and saved about 25%.

[Drac]

There are lots of things that I buy online.

Hiking boots are NOT, I repeat NOT one of them. So I really, really, really hope that the Amazon.com link that you showed us was for picture purposes only, and not because you're buying them from Amazon. GO TO A BACKPACKING STORE AND TRY THEM ON.

I'm not sure how much more loudly I can scream this, in this online venue. GO TO A BACKPACKING STORE AND TRY THEM ON.

Yep just for illustration. We have located a couple store near us.

As for snakes, I guess they are always a possibility. I live in North Texas and some of the guys have come across rattlers in the city in they parks. It really isn't something I give much thought though since I can come across them any time but I don't plan to spend my entire life in snake proof boots.

North Texas is a urban wildlife sanctuary. Not just the standard possum and raccoon but also bob cats and coyotes. While running around the track at base an armadillo ran across in front of our formation.

Jim

[Tobus]

Fasion police has spoken, no sandles. With socks invokes the "Oh shoot me now" clause in our marriage

Understandable. You could, of course, wear them sans socks when fashion matters (i.e. when wearing them in town). Out on the trail, though, I tend to relegation fashion to the rubbish bin and insist on wearing what makes the most sense. When it's 100 degrees outside and I'm 5 miles out on the trail, all I care about is that my feet stay cool and dry!

The neat thing about the Arroyo II models I mentioned earlier is that they don't really look like regular sandals. I would think they could be worn with socks (not white ones) and trousers, and would look like regular hiking shoes from the perspective of everyone else on the trail.

But if She Who Must Be Obeyed doesn't like it, then that's really what matters in the long run.

[azwildcat96]

Will go with this (most likely if feels good) - http://www.amazon.com/Mens-Merrell-M...5121908&sr=8-1

I have a pair of Merrell's very similar to those, that I use for highland games practice (while they are sold as a hiking shoe, I consider them more of a light-weight cross trainer). They are very comfortable, they are cool in Summer, but they may be a little lacking in the ankle support department if you're not on flat solid ground.

[thescot]

I don't think the make amounts to much as long as the boots are well made and fit!

I don't hike much anymore--creeping decrepitude, aging knees, etc.--but the following are the criteria you should probably consider, in order. (If you're not into any sort of trail, rugged hiking, almost anything will work!)

1. Fit: if the boot doesn't fit you properly, you'll regret wearing it.
2. Very good socks: and an extra pair or two in the pack. A fresh pair of dry socks can refresh your feet during a long hike.
3. Sole: a good, sturdy sole is important if you do anything off-road with rocks and stones. Many of us city types don't appreciate this until it's too late.
4. Ankle support: again, for off-road hiking it's more important than you think. A turned ankle makes for a very long walk back! therefore, I always opt for ankle height.
5. Inner sole: can make a tremendous difference in the long term comfort, but don't get cheap, fit-all inner soles that can slip and wad up under your foot.

Style is not important. Or, if it is important, one should probably stick to the track around the local football field. I see some very stylish folks out walking in town wearing pretty shoes, but there is little chance of a turned ankle or slding down a rocky surface in that venue. They are mostly females who look pretty good in whatever they wear.

Personally, I have found that a good pair of combat boots makes a very serviceable footwear item for the long haul. I still own a pair of USMC issue boots from well over 30 years ago, and I can wear them all day with good socks whether hiking or doing labor in the yard or around the house.

Be sure to show us a photo of whatever you choose.

[Jock Scot]

Wow! 13 different sorts! Crumbs! Thank you.

[Tobus]

So, I know of the rattle snake, are they common and widespread over there? Are there any others to watch out for? What makes a snake proof boot?

Heh, yes, poisonous snakes are pretty common here. In my area of Texas we have a multitude of them, though the most common ones are the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, the Copperhead, the Coral Snake, and the Cottonmouth (a water moccasin).

I've killed my share of rattlesnakes, even in such uncomfortable settings as my front porch! Never been bitten, though I had a step-brother when I was a kid who had been bitten on both legs and nearly died from it. The small town I grew up in had an annual "rattlesnake roundup" where local ranchers would compete to see who could catch the most (or the largest) rattlesnakes. They would bring them in by the thousands.

I don't wear certified "snake-proof" boots when hunting, but I do make sure to wear tall thick leather boots with a steel toe, for the same effect. Coming into contact with snakes here (usually outside the city, but not always) is common enough that everyone takes precautions.

For hiking, though, I usually don't wear such heavy boots as long as I'm going to be sticking to trails. But I do make sure I'm carrying a good hiking staff just in case. You never know, though... a snake could always be curled up under the next rock I'm stepping on.

[Alan H]

Western diamondbacks out here in California. They're all over the hills around here, and plenty up to about 5,000 feet in most of the Sierra Nevada, but they start thinning out at the altitudes (7,500 - 10,000) that I do most of my backpacking.