Best Hiking boots?

I have stated this before, but I have no problem saying it again. Although there is no one shoe for everyone, and I've tried. Danner has been a godsend for me. I have degenerative psoriatic arthritis and it has hit my hands , low back, knees and feet. My hands and feet are rapidly hitting the deformative stages and walking (which I do all day for work) and hiking is generally a chore. I replace the original insole in my Radicals with Superfeet and wear Smartwool socks. This combo has allowed me to continue to hike and work on my feet in the most comfort I've experienced in quite a while. Danner is also starting a build your own custom boot online in 2007. Good luck!
 
I;m with the try it before you buy crowd. I've bought a few shoes from catalogs, only wishing that I could easily return them and try on more.

I concur with finding a place with a big selection and trying as many on as possible then buying.

In Socal, I go to REI.
 
I won't be much help. I have a very good pair of Vasques, but they are about 10 years old and I can't remember what kind they are. They are gore tex and have never leaked on me. I hear the vasque Sundowners are really nice. They are all leather. What theh outdoor people I have talked to like about them is that they can be re-soled. I am sure this is the case with other manufacturer's boots as well though.

Trying on is definitely critical. Make sure the companies offering the free shipping allow you to try the boots on and walk around some. I am not talking about the manufacturers, but the retailers. Good luck with you rsearch, and let us know what you end up with!! :)
 
I have a pair of Danner Radicals and they work for me, but it took some trying on to get to that point. I think you had better wear them before you buy them.
 
Wow, some very good tips! More, More, More!! I would luv to try on several types and sizes, walk up ramps and even stand on a few chairs (like some parties we've been too!) but I can't, nothing is near me so I'm stuck with ordering and trying, but your advice will help, like pointing me in the right direction: "Home..That Way--->" I do appreciate all your experience, it is helping, and my "Puppies" will thank you all.
 
sinawalli said:
Meindl's, the best boot you will ever buy! Can be bought at AJ Brooks!
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Yeah, extremely well designed and built. Unfortunately the ones I got from Cabelas fit perfect, except for being snug in the toe box. Maybe another boot from them is worth a try. They were very comfortable other than my toes (not length).
 
I have a pair a Merrell hiking shoes. I have worn these shoes every day for the past year and find them to be about the most versitile shoes going. They are gortex Chamelions. They have a hiking boot style that is very nice but I prefer the shoe because Ilike them for mtn biking. Ihave lived in Greece for the past year and have walked or biked everywear. I also go hiking or caving at least once a month and these shoes are barely showing any wear. I also recomend looking at matterhorns for all leather. I only have their combat boots but they are damn comfortable, contrary to above opinions these boots came broken it out of the box and only got better with age. They are almost three years old now. I am considering having the resoled for wear out of uniform.
 
Some already mentioned this, and it is a good point:

shoes and boots do not need to be broken in. They should fit right from the start. However, before going on any extended hikes you should have worn them for a good long while. That way you can find out if there are any hhot spots or problems before you get out on a serious trail or non-trail.

A good shoemaker, bootmaker, pedorthist, or podiatrist (that's me) can often make some adjustments in a boot or give recommendations on how to buy/ fit a boot for you.

P.S. I just got back from a 24 hour camping (kinda like the 24 hour flu) trip with a bunch or my young nephews and neices. The trip included a 3 mile hike. I almost had a heart attack when I found out their mom did not make sure they all had shoes or boots!:eek: I almost called the game on account of flipflops! We are going boot shopping tommorow!!!!!!:)
 
i have over 700 miles on my current Asolo 520 GTXs. I did the whole Long trail from Vt to canada in them and they were as comfortable on the last day as the first. Boots are only as good as the buyer. if youre serious about hiking, try on every boot in the store and WEAR WHAT YOU WILL WEAR HIKING on your feet when you do it. This means putting on sock liners, a good hiking sock, and lacing as tight as hiking. I laugh every time i see some yuppie buying serious backpacking boots and trying them on wearing his cotton work socks.

Also look into Superfeet insoles. once you use them, many never go back....
 
rifon2 said:
I am not a podiatrist ;) but have been an avid hiker
and walker for many years. Also, I lived in NYC for
several years and in that town you walk everywhere.
On concrete. You need good footwear or you really feel it.

And, I think skammer got it right; great post.

I'll add just ONE thing I've found to be truth:

boots (and shoes) don't "break in" to fit.
They either fit when you put them on; or they don't.
(They do of course break in and become more
comfortable over time; assuming they fit correctly
at the outset.)
Click to expand...

Every boot I every bought worth a damn "OFF" trail were stiff leather boots that did not actually feel perfect in the store( usually too narrow in midfoot). Leather stretches to a custom fit over time. If they fit in the store perfect they will stretch too big later.
The length, heal and toe box is the most important to fit in the store.

Stiff soles feel like casts on your feet until broken in. Do not mistake this for ill fitting boots. All leather boots can be tweaked by a cobbler to fit better once broken in if needed.

Much of this does not apply to fabric or cheaper boots however.

My experience.

Skam
 
I can't say that I've had the same experiences with leather. I bought some expensive all leather boots, that fit, but didn't break in to fit me well.

Had a cobbler put stretchers in for certain areas of my toes and did, this 3 X but couldn't get the fit to be comfortable. Always had a blister and sore feet.

So, I may have worked for you but the leather didn't conform enough to help me.

Gave them away to Good Will. I feel sorry for whoever got those cursed boots.:eek:
 
skammer said:
Every boot I every bought worth a damn "OFF" trail were stiff leather boots that did not actually feel perfect in the store( usually too narrow in midfoot). Leather stretches to a custom fit over time. If they fit in the store perfect they will stretch too big later.
The length, heal and toe box is the most important to fit in the store.

Stiff soles feel like casts on your feet until broken in. Do not mistake this for ill fitting boots. All leather boots can be tweaked by a cobbler to fit better once broken in if needed.

Much of this does not apply to fabric or cheaper boots however.

My experience.

Skam
Click to expand...

Well, yes - - but that's the "perfect fit in the store" for those kind of boots.
 
Generally I wear White's or Belleville milsurp boots. I have very wide feet so I have trouble fitting into most boots. My White's (several pairs) are custom fit to my feet and feel great but they are too heavy for long hikes. I also have a bum left knee and the arch in the White's relly helps ease the pain there.

The Belleville boots are from ebay. I have the unlined hot desert and also the Goretex lined cold desert boots. Both are very light and comfy. They don't add enough ankle support, none really, for carrying a heavy pack but for day hiking you hardly know they are on your feet.

Nick's and Russell also make custom boots of various types.
 
El_Toro said:
I've had a pair of Vasque boots that I really liked, here's a pair that I'm looking at myself that may fit your need.

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http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3087787/c/31429.html

I can't say enough good things about zappos.com. Free shipping all the way. If the shoe doesn't fit, send it back and they will send you the size you specify (or a refund if you choose). I've only done this once with a pair of sneakers that didn't fit and the turn around time was within a week.:thumbup:
Click to expand...


I have those same boots, I tried on boots for 2 hours at REI and bought the Vasque for my trip to Scotland and I LOVED them. But it did take 2 hours to try on everything and find the right boot. The best thing I can say is to forget about the price and try each on until you get a great fit, over the years 40.00 more or less won't matter when quality boots last so long.
 
You've got to try them on. I just bought my second pair of Danner Radicals direct from Danner (I had trouble finding what I wanted from other retailers). Although they charge full retail, they do send a return label with them.

Remember to buy good socks for hiking (and to wear them while trying on the boots).
 
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