Heavy hiking boots or lightweight hiking shoes?

I finally found the boots for me, Danner Desert boots, I think there 26007.
Ive had the Acadia's, good strong boot, but my feet felt like they were on fire after long hikes, im not one for water proof boots. Plus in Cali, we only had 3 inches of rain all winter lol.

Went to the Altama jungle boots, great boot but the damn heel was seperating from the sole of the boot.

The Danner desert boots keep my feet dry and cool, they have the drain's/vents on the sides to let water out, they wick away sweat very well, and are very comfortable, most comfortable boots ive worn to date.
 
Last weekend I did a 25 mile pack trip in some Georgia loggers. They were a bit overkill, but worked well. I was carrying a 35lb pack, but would not have wanted much less boot unless the trail was very easy. They gripped well in gravel and mud. Did get pretty heavy by the end of the day. I wear the Georgia loggers with Pedag inserts and long leather laces. It makes for a very supportive boot with lots of protection for your feet/ankles/ lower legs.
 
I have an old pair of Raichle's. I bought 'em in '92 and they're probably on their sixth set of Vibram soles. Full grain outers, split grain liner (mmm...soft),rubber rand all around,Norwegian welt, full tongue and about 8" (just above ankle bone). Despite all my care, the leather is finally getting tired. They were yet another fine product from MEC, Canada's best kept secret...

My point is this: they were pricey at the time, about $400 IIRC but that's long been forgotten. Even running shoes haven't been this comfortable, although my current Vans come close
 
I did a 14er last year with a pair of trail runners on, and my feet killed towards the end. I think it was too much rock hopping/uneven terrain for easy flexing shoes. I still wear trail runners for most day hikes, but anything with a decent pack or anything rough I go with the Garmont Eclipse and love them.
 
mog555 said:
I did a 14er last year with a pair of trail runners on, and my feet killed towards the end. I think it was too much rock hopping/uneven terrain for easy flexing shoes. I still wear trail runners for most day hikes, but anything with a decent pack or anything rough I go with the Garmont Eclipse and love them.
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I had trouble with my ankles swelling for a couple of days after a steep descent in trail shoes.
 
featherstone45 said:
I finally found the boots for me, Danner Desert boots, I think there 26007.
Ive had the Acadia's, good strong boot, but my feet felt like they were on fire after long hikes, im not one for water proof boots. Plus in Cali, we only had 3 inches of rain all winter lol.

Went to the Altama jungle boots, great boot but the damn heel was seperating from the sole of the boot.

The Danner desert boots keep my feet dry and cool, they have the drain's/vents on the sides to let water out, they wick away sweat very well, and are very comfortable, most comfortable boots ive worn to date.
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Those are next on my list. My Acadias are very hot sometimes, have to really choose socks carefully. I've been eyballing the desert ones in the BQ catalog.
 
I love my merrells. I wear them for mountain biking and light/speed hiking, and everyday use. For work it is my 10" Matterhorns. Had them for 3 years and the are just starting to show there age. Both of them are gortex but my matterhorns work better, I suspect that has to do with the heighth of the boot vs the shoe. The shoe itself can keep out the water but once the socks get wet its all over.
 
For backpacking in the mountains I'll wear my Danners. But for day hikes I tend to prefer Chaco sandals. They're awesome - keep my feet breathing easy.

z2aquastealth.jpg
 
for day hikes and weekend trips I wear a light weight Columbia hiking boot or trail running shoe. For longer trips I wear a boot with a steel shank and good ankle support.
 
Keen Bents. Basically a trail shoe with some approach shoe lineage.

Just overhauled my backpacking gear and got it down to 16 lbs base weight with an overall (I think) improvement in quality of gear and comfort level. Wasn't exactly cheap, though.

Realized that when I carry my son in a carry pack I was carrying >30 lbs and was doing so easily with the trail shoes, so I tossed the boots. Never been so happy and lightfooted on the trail in my (middle aged) life.
 
tknife said:
Those are next on my list. My Acadias are very hot sometimes, have to really choose socks carefully. I've been eyballing the desert ones in the BQ catalog.
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Hey tknife,

I got mine from here http://quanticoboot.com/qb/detail.aspx?ID=221

I actually paid 20 dollars more, go figure, I order, and right after they drop the damn price by 20 bucks:grumpy: story of my life lol. They dont have all sizes, but its worth a look, they have a good selection of sizes.
 
My vote goes for the La Sportiva line. I have several models, from the full on mountaineering Nepal Extremes, to the Trango Plus alpine models. The Makalu is a great heavy duty hiker and I like the Exum Ridge for trail running

These boots all get used in the Canadian Rockies...scrambling, hiking, climbing, etc...

Can't be beat in my books.

D
 
featherstone45 said:
I finally found the boots for me, Danner Desert boots, I think there 26007.
Ive had the Acadia's, good strong boot, but my feet felt like they were on fire after long hikes, im not one for water proof boots. Plus in Cali, we only had 3 inches of rain all winter lol.

Went to the Altama jungle boots, great boot but the damn heel was seperating from the sole of the boot.

The Danner desert boots keep my feet dry and cool, they have the drain's/vents on the sides to let water out, they wick away sweat very well, and are very comfortable, most comfortable boots ive worn to date.
Click to expand...

Had a pair of Altama's that did the same, emailed the company and they replaced them. No charge, no questions. Still have the Altamas but went with Danner for the next three pair, two for work and a pair for hiking. Also had the wet feet sydrome. Switched back to all cotton socks and no more problem. Might have to carry extra socks but don't feel the trench foot coming on. Might have to try 100 percent wool next time. Synthetic socks don't work for me.
 
akennedy73 said:
For backpacking in the mountains I'll wear my Danners. But for day hikes I tend to prefer Chaco sandals. They're awesome - keep my feet breathing easy.

z2aquastealth.jpg
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Oh yea, best sandals out there. Use the Z1's for around town and fishing. Soles are like glue on slick, wet rocks. Great for hiking too.
 
As I remember some book, you need ancle support when the weight you carry is about 1/4 of your own weight. This is when heavy ancle supporting books are really needed.
I bought myself Berghaus boots about 5 or 6 years ago. Previously, I had bespoke boots that my grandfather ordered himself about 60 years ago. Many people used to confuse them with Russian Army Officer's boots because they looked great especially with military uniform. None of them I really like - both are too heavy, grandfather's boots are good for riding horses, but to walk - not really though they are more waterproof than Gore-Tex Berghaus! They are not convenient for travels because of weight.
I got Got 24 boots for my wife, but later changed to Berghaus boots similar to mine. They both were not good - too heavy. So now she uses small trainer style Hi Tech shoes.
And I am thinking about some Gore-Tex trainers...
 
Something to remember is that ankle support comes more from a stable foot bed and not so much from the actual material around the ankle. Taller boots provide more protection from ankle bruises and scrapes though, and keep brush and rocks from getting in.
 
asfried2 said:
Keen Bents. Basically a trail shoe with some approach shoe lineage.

Just overhauled my backpacking gear and got it down to 16 lbs base weight with an overall (I think) improvement in quality of gear and comfort level. Wasn't exactly cheap, though.

Realized that when I carry my son in a carry pack I was carrying >30 lbs and was doing so easily with the trail shoes, so I tossed the boots. Never been so happy and lightfooted on the trail in my (middle aged) life.
Click to expand...

When you do the math on adding an extra pound to your feet and picking that up and down a few thousand times to get to the top of the hill, it is mind boggling. You learned the lesson-- lower the load and you don't need monster boots. It all adds up-- lower pack weight, lighter shoes, older man= better hike :) For those who have a bum knee or other issues, it is pure gold.
 
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