Footwear.

QUOTE=hollowdweller;5394870]I just ordered some new backpacking shoes boots.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...il-Shoes-Waterproof-Gore-Tex-XCR-For-Men.html

In ordering backpacking shoes I'm always torn between some taller boots for support, or something lightweight because heavy boots tire you out more than anything.:rolleyes:

I used these last 2 years

https://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/...kyORfpj2bAoOuBtnJThJ2mhbwVQ227FfPqpkiw3+92Vlz

Waterproofing was great super light but did cause some post hike painless ankle swelling from lack of support. Great shoes though. Slip on so your laces don't untie all the time:thumbup:

This time I went for 4 more ounces in weight and am getting a bit more support on the sides. But back to laces:grumpy:

I have a nice 4 lb pair of leather Cabelas hikers but after the light shoes they are like a damn bag of cement on my feet and also they wear blisters.:rolleyes:

What are y'alls favorite boots?

So I'm trying these Vasque's this year.[/QUOTE]

OK 1st you got to realize that I'm old fashioned. 2nd I wear corks (REAL logging boots in the woods). If I'm anywhere I don't want to ruin those I wear work boots (red wing 953). They last me 16 yrs w/ 3 resolings, however IF I bought a true hiking boot it would be the Standard model Limmer.
 
I have some Lowa Scouts for heavy packing, I LOVE the leather lining. I'll take a good leather lining over Gor-Tex anyday. This is a pet peave of mine, I think Gor-Tex and full leather uppers don't mix well. With this combination if you ever do get your boot soaked, as from walking through deep water, it takes forever for them to dry out. My everyday/day-hike shows are old style Lowa Tempest Lo, these things just won't wear out.
I really like the construction of the Danner Mountain Lite, they just don't fit my foot very well. It is getting harder to find boots that aren't made from multiple pieces stiched together.
A good test of sole strength and support is to grab the heel and toe and try to bend the shoe into a U shape and also try and twist the sole.
 
Yeah, I'm in the trail running shoes category. The largest shoe I use is a pair of Merrells Chameleon Stretch Wraps. Something like that. Anyways, according to the horse that is bleeding and battered on previous threads, I think it comes down to preference and pack weight. I myself don't like the weight and LACK of ankle mobility in heavier boots.

Is anyone here Airborne qual'd??? Do you remember those retarded ankle braces they used to issue?? I never saw them after jump school (I was a Marine when I went) but I heard that they used them at the 82nd. Anyways, I hated those things for the same reason. They completely immobilized the ankle. I felt like I would break my Tib/Fib in it as opposed to rolling my ankle.

H
 
My heavy duty hiking boot is a One Sport Moraine. My light to medium is a Vasque, but I forget the model. Both good boots.
 
Lowa and Meindl make the best boots there are. Specifically the Cabelas Alaska Hunter boots by Meindl are the best boots know to mankind. Remember that a good pair of socks can make all the difference too.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0015005811490a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=meindl&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=meindl&noImage=0

i811490sq04.jpg
 
I used to buy Vasque Highlanders exclusively, but they were discontinued a looong time ago. The most comfotable pair of hiking boots I've ever owned were Merrell M2 Blasts (I think that's what they were called.) It was like those boots did the walking for me and I just had to ride along!

I'm currently wearing Danner Pronghorns. They're my first pair of tall boots and I'm enjoying them immensely. They're a good balance of lightweight and supportive.
 
I wore Vasque Newbriers everyday for years when I practiced forestry. Great boot and the wide actually fit my wide foot.

For the last six years though I have acclimated my feet to colder weather and now wear chacos down into mid 40s. And that includes going through brush and in the mountains. In fact I find them much more comfortable going down steep slopes as the strap is secure and my toes don't get jammed into the toe box. Don't discount what you can do in a quality pair of sandals.

My wife hates when I wear them with socks!
 
+1 on the good socks. I love my Smartwool and Bridgdale, they are worth every penny. I have never worn a pair out, even wearing them around the house without shoes. If anybody has blister problems just get some high quality wool socks, even in summer.
 
Went to a show store with my wife today. I am glad I went. They had a pair of Merrell Moab mid Gore-tex for $29 in my size. They felt great and I thought it was a good price so I walked out the door with them.
 
I like Vasque as well, they have models that fit me just right. Good quality too, got a pair of Vistas that are 9 years old and I still use. Montrail is another brand that works for me. I do like the light hikers over "trail shoes" or trail runners for the ankle support though.
 
Home made moccasins for me. When you're not wearing those high heels:p there's very little leverage on your foot to encourage a twisted ankle. If I'm carrying a heavy load over rough ground, I will wear approach shoes, but am then more careful about the old ankles. Strengthen your ankles and lose the boat-anchors is my advice.

Gordon
 
akennedy73 said:
Vasque made their reputation on the old Sundowner - but a lot of people (including my gearhead brother) say they've gone down in quality over the years:
http://www.amazon.com/Mens-Vasque-Sundowner-Classic-07142/dp/B0009C8J4S
"I have had a pair of Vasque sundowners and they were the best pair of boots I have ever owned. They were comfortable, sure footed and durable through miles of hikes and rough weather. It seemed time to at last replace them with a new pair of boots. I am obviously a loyal customer, so I went to buy a new pair of Vasques. Very sadly, the move to China manufacturing has resulted in a cheaper shoe. The quality is not as good, the shoe does not break in as well and the durability is no where near what it was. This is not China bashing. I have tons of products made in China that are great. The reality is that it is rooted in greed on Vasque's management. They could cheapen up the build steps and materials and expertise right in Italy, the move to China was to also get cheaper labor. Other companies outsource to China and maintain good build quality, but not in this case. Normally I would not care at all, as this seems the recent trend of events, but in this case the old Italian made Vasque's were real works of art, so Shame on Vasque management for allowing this to happen. VP Product Management take note and start offering a Vasque Standard (current model) and a Vasque Premium for 2X the money made in Italy like it used to be."

Personally, I wear Danners and if it's a light hike I usually go with Chaco sandals. But I don't have ankle issues - or, rather, my ankles have been sprained so much and so many times that they just roll instead of sprain plus I've developed enough muscle strength in my ankles from martial arts practice that I don't need a whole lot of support.

EDIT:

I do own a pair of Vasques - they just don't see much use since I got a pair of Danners. Vasques aren't bad IMO - they're just not shoes that will go for years and years. Picture of me backpacking with Vasques:

IMG_1284.jpg
Click to expand...
Two pairs of my Vasque boots are older models, (not made in PRC)so this is probably why they have held out so long.
 
Danners here. I think mine are the Pronghorn model. They're very comfortable and work great for the hiking I do.
 
tacticalsteel said:
Go with the Asolo line. The Green Berets use them ..... Good enough for them and they carry tons of gear!
Click to expand...

I have never found the pair of Asolo's that have a good fit for my feet. I have tried multiple models on at boot fittings and I just can't use them. Other Hikers that I have known who wear them love them though.
 
bearthedog said:
I will regret this watch!
New Balance 809
Click to expand...

Why would you regret that? If they work for you and fit well there is no reason to regret buying them or posting it.

I'm wearing a Pair of Columbia Trailmeister 3/4 height hikers right now.
ff_ia22122.jpg


My winter boots are their Bugaboos that I've been using for about six years.

Columbia always gets ragged on and rarely gets recommended in threads like this. Personally I've had no problem with them. Its what I can afford, they fit me well, and have held up very well.

I posted in the Bad Knee thread but guess I'm lucky when it comes to my feet. I could duct tape 2'X4's on my feet and never have so much as an ache.
 
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