Heavy hiking boots or lightweight hiking shoes?

It's amazing how many people say that their Merrels wear out fast. I think they use a very soft rubber in their soles (good for trail only) and the coarse cement of the city tear them up. Many people I know got into hiking around the same time as I did. We all saw how much real hiking boots cost ($200+ yikes!) and then saw how much the Merrals cost at the discount Wolverine factory in town ($75!) we all bought Merrals, and they fell apart. Funny thing is that many of my friends still buy Merrals at a pair a year, while my Vasque's are still going... I think it's the fact that I pack too much stuff (what fun is camping if you don't) so I need the heavy boots to support the load. I wear them everywhere I can around town though, because they are so broken in that they are more comfortable than tennis shoes!
 
using my Vasque Wasatch right now. I bought them at a discount cos they were all I could afford ($120) but they're pretty okey for medium-wide volume feet. I have plantar faciities (sp?) so almost always have problems with most boots. I'm flat footed as well. I just grin and bear the pain.

I would like to try AKUs someday...anyone have reviews.
 
Danner Acadia GTX currently but have a pair of black Danners I bought in 88 or 89 for uniform wear which are still going strong after almost twenty years on concrete. I have very wide large feet and Danners and orthotics are the only way to go for me.
 
I used to wear these, but I guess times have moved on in footwear nowadays.
drmar18304_sm.jpg
 
Danno, I had a pair of those that I preferred to Reeboks for basketball. Lightweight, comfortable, and extremely grippy soles.
 
If it's dry and I'll only be out for the day, I wear some Vans slip ons (think Chuck Taylors low tops without the laces)

Any other time and I have thick, waterproof leather boots on that go about 8 inches up my ankle.

Never had a problem with either, except accidentally melting away some of the sole on my boots kicking out a fire. :p
 
Any Cal. said:
Danno, I had a pair of those that I preferred to Reeboks for basketball. Lightweight, comfortable, and extremely grippy soles.
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The good old Dr Martin's Airwear
The ones I had were Ox blood red, I got my first pair way back in the 70's at school.
Very popular back then in the UK, Many of the SAS used to wear them in different roles.
Still got a brand new pair in the wardrobe that I have had for many years. :thumbup:
 
I wear Vibergs for everything. They are a small market handmade boot, built to fit me. I have required insoles in every piece of footwear I have owned since I was about 18; in these boots I do not. I walk right on the hard leather sole inside the boot. Let's see if this pic works:

nailed.JPG


They are the most comfortable boots I have ever had.

Edit: I got mine without the CSA/ANSI approval triangle - keeps me from wearing them at work.
 
I have very wide feet. My best bet has always been Dunham/New Balance boots. Unfortunately, it's tough to find them with a rigid sole/shank and that have the soles/lasts stitched to the uppers.
 
tknife said:
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.
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It's amazing how many people don't get this. I've been to work sites that have banned elastic sided work boots because they provide less ankle support :rolleyes:

A stiff sole makes at least 80% of the difference in ankle protection. When your heel goes over, you want your toes to feel it instantly. A flexible sole delays this feedback and makes proprioception slower. A snug fit around your ankle joint provides a bit of assistance with proprioception but very little mechanical support. The worse ankle sprain I have ever had was in a pair of high lace-up doc martens.

For a long distance flat walk through the scrub I'd be concerned about boot weight and maybe compromise for a lighter set of hikers - but for any alpine/technical hiking, the stouter the boot the better IMHO.

I've also noticed how seldom you, my american (mostly) blade/outdoors buddies, mention Scarpa when talk turns to boots. Of all the outdoors footwear I've tried I find them simply the best.

Check them out

www.scarpa.com

I use the SL's
 
Ming -

The reason that you don't hear much mention of Scarpa boots from Americans is probably because most Americans have neither seen nor heard of Scarpa. From my experience, they just aren't marketed or stocked very heavily in this country. In my own state, New Mexico (we're between Texas and Arizona), there's a grand total of 1 retailer of Scarpa boots... and they're not even located in the state's most populous city of Albuquerque. Here in ABQ, none of the major outdoor suppliers carry Scarpa, although they're packed to the gills with Asolo, Vasque, Merrel, and some lesser brands like Hi-Tec. For the fans of Hi-Tec, no offense was meant, but I've yet to come across a pair of 'em that I like.

My own footwear preference runs towards sturdier boots. I like a thick, grippy lug sole, tough leather uppers that are at least 3/4 height, and a semi-rigid to rigid last. If I'm going for a light hike, I opt for the less rigid shoes. If I'm under a decent load, gaining and losing elevation, and on rocky, uneven surfaces, I greatly prefer a rigid sole.

For me, Dunham books have worked well, as they come in widths and have a higher volume in the forefoot.

Update: I just found out, via some online sleuthing and ming's Scarpa link, that Albuquerque now has 2 retailers of Scarpa boots. Sweet, I'll check 'em out.
 
I wear Asolo Fugitive boots. Great fit, good ankle support, and waterproof also. Has a good footbed for larger pack weights, and is comfortable even on long hauls.
 
Trout Tamer said:
Ming -

The reason that you don't hear much mention of Scarpa boots from Americans is probably because most Americans have neither seen nor heard of Scarpa.
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Yeah I figured their stateside marketing must have been limited. Also they have that distinctive Italian approach to last design - not sure how you broad footed behemoths will like them - although they do come in different widths nowadays.

Scarpa produce a boot designed especially for the Australian market (the Treck Pro) that isn't mentioned on it's main website

http://www.mainpeak.com.au/product.aspx?productID=13055


so they must have decided to target our market.
 
I own a pair of Scarpa Triolets that I bought last summer. I went ice climbing in them and they are so very comfortable and light yet thay are ridged and a provide a large amount of ankle support. When discussing boots versus light weight shoes, i think recent advancements in ultralight mountainclimbing boots are being over looked. My boots weight a smidgen over three pounds, but the lasportiva Trango S Evos are a little over two and a hlaf pounds and are designed for heavy backpacking and mountaineering and they have a goretex lining. thatsmy toe cents
 
Re: ankle support ...

Stiff soles may make more difference for healthy ankles/feet that get proper feedback from their position, but I have some nerve damage from a back injury that makes my lower left leg numb and my ankle is "floppy." For me, wearing boots that physically support the ankle makes a huge difference. My Dunham waffle stompers have saved me from a turned ankle several times by direct physical support of my ankle. I can't walk on uneven ground in low-cut shoes.
 
Get the heaviest leather boots u can find, later u can brutally take them apart and use the leather to make sheats for your new and shiney knives!
bootknife.jpg

HAHAHAHHA!!
 
Been enjoying this thread :) I don't back pack , hike only a little , but , since this thread made the three page mark :) I'll digress a little.
I wear my boots for short day hikes and deer / bear hunting in the Adks , If I go more than 3 miles in a day I went too fast. For that purpose , I prefer tall , waterproof , good leg suport , great traction , and very light wieght boots. I have two pairs of Lacross Brawny s first version 60$ each , 13" tall ( if I recall corectly ) the sole does not hold mud like the vibrams do, but great traction , tounge sewn all the way to the top , gortex stuff , a little thinsulate , lacing hooks from the top of the foot. They weigh next to nothing :D

Phil
 
They look like this :
IMG_5874.jpg


2 pair on the bathroom scale :

IMG_6964.jpg


IMG_6965.jpg


Yes that is 4 boots on the scale.

Phil
 
Your sundowners are good boots if they work for you. My advice would be to try and drop 20 pounds from your backpack.
 
I think it depends upon where I'm going and the season...

I don't prefer to hike or camp in the winter (I'll leave that stuff to the young bucks), but when I do, I prefer to wear my old reliable Danners.
I bought them way back in 1987 at Ft. Lewis, and yep, they are original Danner Ft. Lewis "Go Devil" boots...from before Matterhorns were available
They have served me well and have been all over the world and back.
I love them.

But these days I mostly do relatively easy hikes on terrain that is not too hostile, and I especially like river hiking and beach hiking.
So I tend to wear my Teva sandals during most of the summer.
 
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