Best shoes?

K

Kyle_4

Joined
Mar 21, 2013
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Hi guys,

I am wondering if you have recommendation on shoes. I usually wear a pair of light hiking shoes(Merrel) because I am in the outdoors quite a bit. I really like the vibram soles for grip so that would be a bonus if the recommendation had those soles. Any ideas?? I guess I should add I am looking to spend $100-150.
Thanks
 
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My favorites for hiking are Vibram FiveFinger Spyridons and VivoBarefoot off road hi hiking boots.

I really like minimalist designs. Arch support be damned! lol

I wear the Vibrams for trail running and light hiking. The VivoBarefoots are good in cold weather and when I want something waterproof.
 
For light to mid weight hikers, I've always had good luck with Vasque boots. I can't say that their tread patterns are the most aggressive in the industry if that's what you're looking for, but they're certainly adequate. More importantly, they seem to me to be built with a bit more structure and support than many of their competitors' boots in this class. They may end up being fractionally heavier on average as a result, but with all the granite and scree out here in the West, it's a trade off I'm happy to make. The last that Vasque builds their boots on fits my slightly lower than average volume foot shape well.
 
What'll you be using them for? Are you looking for a replacement for the Merrells you usually wear?
 
^ Agreed, what is your intended purpose - will you be carrying gear, are you in the water a lot and is your foot narrow, wide, high arh, flat, etc? For example, I have a pair of Merrell Moab Mid GTX's and they are awesome for long hikes, heavy pak weight, or uneven terrain at normal altitudes, but if i were kayaking i would be wearing the Northface Hedgefrog II, and so on.
 
It really depends on your use. I bruised the bones in my feet with a heavy pack in rough terrain and had to move to a much stiffer and more supportive shank and footbed in my footware.

I'm a huge LOWA fan but, it really depends on your foot. LOWA boots out of Germany fit my feet the best and are built for the use I put them through.
 
Inov8 makes some extremely light hiking shoes/boots. I work in some pretty rocky terrain, and I've been wearing their Reccolite 190s for about a year with no problems.
 
I wore Merrell's for years until I tried Keens. I have 3 pair and wouldnt buy any thing else.--KV
 
Dan57 said:
What'll you be using them for? Are you looking for a replacement for the Merrells you usually wear?
Click to expand...

Sorry I should have specified. I am wanting to wear them for everyday use. Lots of times I will stop into a fishing spot or hunting spot on the way home so I usually don't wear a pair of runners. Thanks for the ideas so far
 
Redback dealer boots, almost certainly the most comfortable shoe ever created and a favourite of firemen as a station boot and EMTs. They look fairly conventional but the leather uppers are about 50% thicker than normal for extra durability and support, while the soles are covered with a layer of translucent blue stuff that grips slippery surfaces much better than anything else I've tried and aborbs shock (it's filled with tiny bubbles.) They're designed for people who have to stand or walk all day on hard surfaces, possibly while using dangerous machines tools or carrying stretchers across spilt oil. You can get them in suede or waxed leather, black or brown, and with or without steel toecaps (toecaps will probably make them less comfortable.) They're fairly wide to begin with but half sizes are extra wide. I was a little worried about the lack of laces, but they cling nicely to the feet without them. Made in Australia rather than a Far East sweatshop.

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My Scarpa Zen hiking shoes are proving themselves over and over. They are supportive but not too firm and their vibram sole is sticky and great for trail or even rock. Definitely a step up from trail runners and given the longevity of my Scarpa boots, they ought to last a loooooong time.
 
Checkout the Timberland Pro work boots. I have a pair of Timberland PRO® Met Guard 8 Inch Steel Toe and Timberland PRO® Endurance 8-Inch Steel Toe, both of which are overkill for what you want. However, they were a lot of boot for ~$125 delivered.

The Timberland PRO® Endurance 8-Inch Steel Toe are super comfy on concrete all day. Those footbeds are awesome.

The Timberland PRO® Met Guard 8 Inch Steel Toe are not for the faint of heart but, are tough as nails if you work in a hazardous environment and need that type of protection. For what they are, they are comfy too though break it was a little tough (not as bad as my hiking boots though :().
 
New Balance 889. I have a pair of the brown ones. Comfortable, light, great traction on all surfaces.
 
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