Decent Hiking Boots/Shoes

D

dig-it

Joined
Dec 22, 2004
Messages
938
... for extra wide feet? The reason I asked for decent is that I`m not wanting to invest any more than $150. Any experience on a non-extreme type of trail use hiker model ? I did some searching and not a lot to go to a brick and mortar to ask about.
 
I also have wide feet, and found the Vasque Sundowners to be quite comfy! I ordered them in the wide size off of ebay for around $100 and have been quite pleased with them. They were originaly made in Italy, but they got redisgned and are now made in China. Many found this move to degrade the quality, but they are now much wider, and I have not had a single problem with them even though I have put some serious millage on them. I wore them last summer on a 40-mile trek through some of the most extreme territory in the Canadian barrier and they held up great! one thing: they are gore-tex, but not waterproof! use a beeswax rub to make them waterproof. Hope you find a good boot, I know how hard it is to find something for abnormal feet!
 
I have a pair of Vasque boots and while they do fit my feet which are pretty wide, I really don’t like them. They fit but are just not comfortable, they don’t seem like they have ever really broken in. I have had Scarpa Attacks and Manta's, those took forever to break in but when the broken in you could wear them every day all day. Also the pair of Vasque that I have is made in china. I just didn’t think to check that when I bought them. I have some Merrells that are very comfy. I just saw these the other day and am thinking about getting a set
http://www.hanwag.co.uk/acatalog/hanwag_boot_range.html
that or I will get my friend in Greece to send me Scarpas from overseas, footwear is just one area that I don’t scrimp on.
 
Have about 4 pairs I rotate thru---Vasque Sundowners from 2000----Sundowers II's from '03 or so---unisulated non-Gore-tex Merrill's---and some pretty extreme Salomon's

Online--Cabella's--Sierra Trading post--Campmor---REI---would be good places to start looking
 
I've been using heavily my Merrill Summit II boots (13 Wide) for about 3 years now. Supremely comfortable from day one, and still in excellent condition. They are similar to Vasque Sundowners, except a bit more heavy duty (and weight a little more).

The Vibram sole is still in decent condition, which amazes me considering where they've been.

I like this style of boots - single piece of leather top. Very comfortable and breath well (I'm in South West, so no need for Gore-tex). I bought them at a "going out of business" sale for <$80 out the door. :eek:

Apparantly the sale must have helped, because that store is still there. :D
 
I have size 12EEEE flat feet so as you can imagine, I feel your pain. I bought a pair of Montrail Torre wide width from REI as they felt the best in the store. I went hiking that weekend, and after ten miles or so, they were wearing a hole in my little toe. I went back to REI thinking I just wasted $165.00, but still wanting some good boots. The REI person recommended one of two Asolo boots, and said to bring back the Torres even though they were worn. I returned the Torres, and bought the Asolos. At the beginning of a five mile hike, they were a little tight, by the end I had to tighten the laces. Now, four months later, they fit my feet absolutely perfectly, plenty of support, and the best fitting hiking boots I have ever had. They have a one piece leather upper as well as a gore tex bootie...I have gone through creeks and puddles without any water getting in. Excellent boots by Asolo, and excellent service at REI...I recommend both highly.
 
dig-it said:
Thanks for the replies. I have a store within 7 miles that stocks the Vasque brand and I`ll go by and give them a tryout.
Anyone have any experience with these? http://campmor.stores.yahoo.net/10420.html
Click to expand...
Well, I went by the store to check out the Sundowner. I was really impressed by the quality of the boot, but alas, they did not carry a wide. I tried on the ones they had and I could tell, given how wide these were, that a wide would be perfect in a Sundowner. This particular store had them for $169 -tax.
 
I have rather wide feet. I find the Meindl Borneo to be extremely comfortable.

It comes in both Gore-Tex and non-Gore-Tex versions. Unless your hiking environment is wet 90% of the time, I'd do without the waterproofing.

Highly recommended.

I also endorse Salomon lightweight boots. My EDW (Every Day Wear) is a pair of Salomon Exit Lows. When they buy the farm, I'll replace them with more Salomons without a second thought.

maximus otter
 
michaelmcgo said:
They were originaly made in Italy, but they got redisgned and are now made in China. Many found this move to degrade the quality, but they are now much wider, and I have not had a single problem with them even though I have put some serious millage on them.
Click to expand...


Wanna know how different the quality is? The Italian made ones are so much nicer that I have spent the last several years patiently searching ebay and buying any 'new, old stock' Italian made Sundowners in my size. I now have a supply that should last me the rest of my life.

The chinese made ones are truly inferior in every way. Lesser quality leather which is also much thinner. The hardware is of lesser quality as are the soles and stitching.
 
TRy the Merrell Gortex shoes. They are really comfortable (for my feet) and retail for about $115.
 
I swear by my Danner Explorers. They have EEs. Best fit and comfort out of the box. Google to find the best web deals. The one thing I don't like about alot of the good hiking boots out nowadays is that they're not resoleable. You get them nice and broken in and, before you know it, you need to get a new pair because the soles are worn out, but the boots aren't resoleable. The Danner Explorers are resoleable. I've had the Vibram Kletterlift soles replaced once so far. :)
 
As an aside---was cruising the clearance rack at our local sporting emporium---they had a pair of Sundowners in my size for $104---Chinese made version but I got em cheap.
 
I have had bad luck with Columbia. I have put may 15-20 miles on them and the soles are literally losing chunks of rubber. My wife has a pair of boots made by Vasque. She wore them for a month in Africa and will be hiking part of the AT with them. They still look brand new after two years. She is sold on them and will probably never by another brand.
 
Marc123 said:
My wife has a pair of boots made by Vasque. She wore them for a month in Africa and will be hiking part of the AT with them. They still look brand new after two years. She is sold on them and will probably never by another brand.
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I agree that some of the Vasque boots are superb (like the old Sundowners), but one should always test a model for themselves. I recently tried a couple of different kinds (both very modern construction), and both lacked side-to-side support - they were way too flexible for any serious hiking.

I still remain a fan of traditional, one-piece leather boots.
 
dig-it said:
Thanks for the replies. I have a store within 7 miles that stocks the Vasque brand and I`ll go by and give them a tryout.
Anyone have any experience with these? http://campmor.stores.yahoo.net/10420.html
Click to expand...

I use the Vasque Breeze for a lightweight hiking boot and it fits my wide feet well.

A word of caution on the the Dunhams.....they are made by New Balance and NB is not known for fitting anything but steenkeeng human feets and then only if their foot width falls in the narrow range of from 2A to 6E (that's double A - as in feet like ice skate blades - to EEEEEE - as in wakeboards for feet) :D

I prefer NB for their sizing options and run in nothing else....well maybe a singlet and some shorts. :o I am also required to have steel toed shoes at work and when I found Dunham was owned by NB and had about the same sizing options, I bought a set of Dunham Trail Mix steel toes that look like running shoes. They fit perfectly with NO brezak-in needed. I'm on my feet all day on the flightline and these babies are as comfy as either my NB 1122s, or my Vasque Breezes and Sundowners....plus I can smoke our F-16s out of the starting block!! (They have me on distance though....my combat range has been reduced by age..:( )

I would give the Dunhams serious consideration based on sizing options and price. I too love my Vasque Sundowners but they have crept up to $150 plus. My Breezes were only $89.00 on sale at REI. In the end they're your feet and you need to be comfortable. Check with the folks at REI, New Balance, or a good outfitter if they have these in your neck of the woods and get the fit right. (And if REI does not have your size in stock, you can order them through their on-line store) Happy trails......


J
 
Java, .45acp`s post spurred me to check to see if an REI was within reasonable driving distance. There is one 45 minutes away, I have the directions and will be giving them a chance this weekend.
 
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