Hi gang,
I've been wearing a pair of Merrell Sawtooth boots for the last several years, and they have been great. I've used them for day hikes, and overnighters without a single blister. I've even used them for snowshoeing this winter, but even though I've coated them with silicone, they still seep a bit.
The only problem I had with them was last summer on a three day trip in Yosemite, where I covered about 35 miles, most of those miles with a 35 lb pack, and the bottoms of my feet were sore for a week after the trip. Granted, the trails there are very rocky, and with lots of up and down. But the soles of my feet never hurt like that before.
Now I'm looking at a new pair of boots and first they must be waterproof and second, provide the support I need to not have a repeat of what I had last year.
I'm wondering if I need to go with a heavy backpacking boot or if medium-weight boot would work. I fit very well in the REI branded Raichle heavy backpack boot, and I also fit the Lowa Baleno very well. Both have their positives and negatives. The heavy boot would surely protect my paws from the roughest of trail, but would be way overkill for some of my afternoon training hikes. The Lowas would be great for nearly everything, but I worry they may put me in the same situaiton as the Sawtooths when I'm on a rough trail.
When I win the lottery I'll buy both, but for now the budget allows only a single pair. I'm torn between what I'll use them for most of the time, Vs buying to meet the most extreme demands I can anticipate.
BTW, I use orthotics, so insoles would be the same for any shoe.
What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance
AL
I've been wearing a pair of Merrell Sawtooth boots for the last several years, and they have been great. I've used them for day hikes, and overnighters without a single blister. I've even used them for snowshoeing this winter, but even though I've coated them with silicone, they still seep a bit.
The only problem I had with them was last summer on a three day trip in Yosemite, where I covered about 35 miles, most of those miles with a 35 lb pack, and the bottoms of my feet were sore for a week after the trip. Granted, the trails there are very rocky, and with lots of up and down. But the soles of my feet never hurt like that before.
Now I'm looking at a new pair of boots and first they must be waterproof and second, provide the support I need to not have a repeat of what I had last year.
I'm wondering if I need to go with a heavy backpacking boot or if medium-weight boot would work. I fit very well in the REI branded Raichle heavy backpack boot, and I also fit the Lowa Baleno very well. Both have their positives and negatives. The heavy boot would surely protect my paws from the roughest of trail, but would be way overkill for some of my afternoon training hikes. The Lowas would be great for nearly everything, but I worry they may put me in the same situaiton as the Sawtooths when I'm on a rough trail.
When I win the lottery I'll buy both, but for now the budget allows only a single pair. I'm torn between what I'll use them for most of the time, Vs buying to meet the most extreme demands I can anticipate.
BTW, I use orthotics, so insoles would be the same for any shoe.
What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance
AL