Best hiking/outdoor boots or shoes?

J

JustinM

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Pretty self explanatory, what boots/shoes do you guys wear when you're in the woods, and why?
 
There are several good threads on that subject :) they seem to come up every few weeks or so, I posted one! A lot of people like Vasque and Danner, they just feel right, and are made well. I got some timberland cadion because they fit great on me and are water resistant, something I need in Oregon.

If your looking, the best thing to do since "different strokes for different folks" is to try on as many styles /brands as you can, if you can. Then look online, like Zappo's and 6pm, (they compete!) and match. Some places have free return shipping. It all depends on what you need em for, long packs or day hiking. Climbing or bush. Find a store and try em all on, and have fun!
 
Long hiking/camping trips (around a week or two of total camping at a time).
 
People luv Danners for that! But there are many good ones out there, don't skimp on your feet! Get the best you can afford! Try em all on if you can. But don't forget the "Super Feet green!" whatever you get your puppies will thank you for that, their great insoles and worth it!
 
Dantor's advice is right on -
-try on LOTS of different boots
-get the best quality boots you can afford
-look into insoles; try boots on with the insoles before buying
-enjoy the process

I recommend full length boots over low cut shoes for the wilderness. When shopping for boots, take all the time you need trying on different pairs. Don't let impatient, pushy, or ignorant salesmen push you around. After all, it's not their feet that will ache miserably if you buy the wrong pair of boots... :o

Shop around at different stores, if you're not cognizant of one megastore with scores of different models.

Wear the socks that you'll be hiking in when you try boots on. Socks can vastly change the feel of boots.

Shop towards the end of the day, when your feet are tired and swollen.

If the boot hurts your feet in the store, it's gonna hurt 'em more after you buy 'em. Keep looking.

Get your feet sized by a knowledgeable salesman. Your feet may be wider or narrower, have higher or flatter arches, and have greater or lesser volume (measured from the sole to the top of the foot) than usual feet. Dunham boots, as well as some Danner, Vasque and Montrail models, come in varying widths. There are other brands that provide models with width, also.

If you're going to camp near water, or live in a high-precipitation area, a Gore-tex liner may be a real plus.

No one pair of boots will do everything you need. Look for a pair that will serve you 80% of the time. Add specialty boots as needed and as funds allow.

Good luck in your search, JustinM :thumbup:
 
It all depends on where you'll be and what you're doing. On local day hikes, I wear low top hikers that are almost like running shoes with better traction. Wet and cold, definitely want some Gore Tex, I have Danner Acadias.
The terrain I am usually in is high desert and very hot, so I just got a pair of Danner USMC hot weather boots. I love them so far.
 
For the light hiking that I do, I have used Nike hiking boots. I might have to switch, as they are becoming too hard to find. I am a big guy, and usually bow my shoes out, I really should get wide sizes. I have one pair that looked to be marketed as hunting boots, but are really hiking boots, and are the best I've gotten so far. Extremely warm in winter, cool in summer, and after about a years use, still cushion my feet. After a while, depending on their condition, they will be used for work around the house, maybe a boat shoe, or just for cutting grass.
 
Merrel Chameleon Wrap Gore-tex XCR for me. Every day shoes, hikers, backpacking, etc. They serve me incredibly well. Every pair of relatively heavy boots I have gotten tears the crap out of my feet.

I am thinking of getting a pair of these in boot form and seeing how they perform.

David
 
To provide a bit of controversy, I wanted to add that a friend of mine who is a walking/hiking machine will walk all day (ie: seriously like 20 miles plus, and with little to eat and a killer hangover) in used no-name brand hiking boots he got at the Salvation Army for $5 or $10. Knowing he was headed on a trekking trip in Nepal (he was basically sent there by the newspaper he works for--luck SOB) last fall, he broke down and bought new, no-name brand department store light-hiking boots (for maybe $40). He said they were great. While I think he's a bit extreme, he's taught me a lesson: you seriously don't need to pay the biggest buck to get a good pair of footwear.
 
I have recently started wearing these Mendl Burma's and I'm pretty impressed with the fit, constuction and comfort straight from the box !
Previous to these I was wearing some Karrimor KSB fabric boots and these were good also, they were just worn out !!!
JohnDean069-1.jpg
 
i wear columbia hiking boots.
got em on sale for about 100 bux

great traction, good ankle support and waterproof.

exactly what i was looking for in these boots.

after a year of hiking in them they still have good rigid support but like all things show signs of use.

they are a mid-weight boot, not too heavy, not too light.

laces run all the way to the top.

i would suggest checking out columbia boots :)

cheers
 
Chameleons! I'm on my 2nd pair in 4 years. They can get a bit hot in the summer, but they are really comfy.

H
 
I recently put green Superfeet inserts in them. My lord! They are great! Mine are just over a year old, and have easily 1,500 miles walked/hiked/etc on them. I expect they will last another year easy, and they are the shoes I wear every day. :thumbup:
 
I always liked wearing low shoes. I rather have something light weight. Most of the time i rather have good traction then lots of support. Its more of where i end up climbing up rocks trees and what ever. When its hot or if i go camping and hiking in the desert i like to wear those shoes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Israeli-Army-Pa...oes-US-10_W0QQitemZ200031217974QQcmdZViewItem

They got canvas top so my feet dont sweat. Cause they are higher they keep the sand out. The bottom is very good in wet slime covered rocks.
They offer good grip. Now if its cold outside they are not the shoes to have. I did wear then in the rain the good part is that they dry fast. They wont last for many years as the soles are softer ( that why i got good traction).

Sasha
 
I used to swear by my Vasque boots, but switched to Merrells. Much more comfortable! My current choice for backpacking is the Phaser Peak model.
 
I think that for the $$$ you can't beat ROCKY boots, they have pretty much any style for whatever you like . Last a long time too!
 
An older (bought in 1998) pair of Vasque Sundowners and a pair of Lowa (forgot the model) Light-Hikers.

My old Sundowners are still going fine, but I will probably look at some new ones here down the road, maybe the Lowa Tanark.
 
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