Hikers

Here in Florida, I wear Merrill hiking shoes or Keen Sandals. When I am hiking on the AT, I wear Merrill hiking shoes or Keen Sandals.
 
I have a lot of miles on my Keen Newport H2 sandals and have no complaints. I wear them in the water and on the trail. I like them so much that I got a pair of Voyageur Mid hikers and like them as well so far.
 
Lots of Asolo fans....Thats cool, Ive never tried em. Might have to give em a look when I need a new pair.

Im on my 5th pair of Merrills. Love em. My current ones are the Pantheon. These things are amazing. Light, fit great, breath well, and dry quick. They still look great after a year of every season use.

http://www.merrell.com/US/en-us/Product.mvc.aspx/M-F-F/17142M/35291/Men/Footwear/Filters/Mens/Pantheon/Brown/J16061

Im looking at these for my next pair....
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-us/Product.mvc.aspx/M-F-F-S-NA/20360M/43033/Mens/Navigator-Sport/Brindle/J87991

Although these look pretty sweet.... A bit pricey IMO...I want to go try some on, and see what up with them.
http://www.vibramfivefingers-kso.co...ucts_id=2317&zenid=gvj98rl0q7s9a5ele7nnq17mc2
 
dsgibbs1 said:
Thanks for the info. I will be going to the boot store next. Not gonna be doing much walking in the next few days. Having minor surgery tomorrow. Getting the "boys" clipped..:eek: So maybe next week.
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Here's another tip - go to the store late in the day after you have been on your feet for awhile.
 
In cold wet weather I wear boots. In hot weather I wear Nike running shoes with New Balance insoles for arch support. The Nikes fit me better than other shoes Ive tried. They have a lot of cushion which helps with my heel spurs and an aggressive tread. The trails I travel are usually pretty easy terrain.
 
I still have a pair of traditional "waffle stomper" boots (Vasque, made in Italy) that I hiked 4 days in the Grand canyon in 1987. Awesome quality, but heavy, so they never get used anymore, but I can't throw them away. Technology has really made boots much lighter and more comfortable recently. Modern boots are much lighter, but they don't last as long, and usually are not able to be re-soled. I have had good luck with Asolo, but my current favorite is a pair of Garmont light hikers. Your foot shape will be the deciding factor. Fit is key. Some brands favor wider feet, others seem to cater to narrower feet.

For hiking sandals, I think the Keen with the toe cap are the bomb. They do hold pebbles more than an open toe, but the protection and comfort are superior.

Italian hiking boots used to be the best, IMO. Now, everything is made in China- unless you are willing to spend hundreds on a pair.

OH- important fact to consider: Modern hiking boot soles hate oil. The light weight spongy rubber material they use between the sole and the leather falls apart pretty quickly if you get oil on it. Hydraulic oil ruined my last pair. Now I have a pair for hiking, and a pair for working.
 
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I currently use the Merrell Moab shoes.

They are very light, Gore-Tex, not too expensive and feel great.:thumbup:
 
During fall/winter i wear Meindl Island Pro boots...Spring/summer i use Merrell shoes. Both are great makes, though id strongly advise you to try before you buy.
 
I wear these
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-us/Pro...ar/Filters/Mens/Moab-Ventilator/Walnut/J86595
MRL-W86595-06.psd.fpx


or these year round

http://www.merrell.com/US/en-us/Pro...Men/Footwear/Filters/Mens/Moab-Ventilator-Mid
MRL-W86593_94-06.psd.fpx



they are cool and dry very fast.

to add,
im not doing anything technical.
hiking in forest preserves,gravel trails,city walking etc...
 
Been using merrill Moab i thought they were the most comfy boots ever. But they lasted me about 4 months before the sole wore out and the cushion just didnt do it any more. Went to REI and found the Lowa zypher. used them for a hike and loved the grip on wet rocks and the support but my feet are too wide so had to exchange them for Keen Voyageur. The fit was so much better with plenty of room for my toes. But i dont like the grip on rocks. I had to compromise and ended up keeping them for the better fit. Its hard for me to find shoes that fit my wide feet. Im looking at the 5 toes vibram and plan to get them, Should be a perfect fit for my wide feet.

Sasha
 
Cigar said:
It is ALL about FIT!
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BrianB said:
I personally wear New Balance.
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I recently bought a pair of New Balance leather hikers and they are great. I have narrow feet, and the NB's have a range of widths available. These may replace my old standbys...

Vasque Sundowners. Awesome. Can't say enough about them. They were stiff to break in for a week or so, and now fit like a glove. I love these boots. The only catch is that they're on the heavy side, so the NB's will probably displace them for well-kept trails.


Whatever you get be sure to try them on. Lace them up right & step up/step down, double time, do all that. Wear them around the house. There is a difference between stiffness of new boots and poor fit. If you have never had shoes fit by someone who knows what they're doing, go to a store (say Red Wing Shoes) and get fit. Then you'll know what you're looking for. Also, be sure to try them on with the socks you'll be hiking in (or something similar). Once you find the right fit for you, you'll wonder how you ever wore anything else.


Best of luck with the surgery... you're a braver man than I!
 
Back from the procedure.. Never get that done!..:eek:.. I am going to Cabella's next week. Dont know why I am asking about boots. I can barely walk in flipflops right this minute..:D
 
Be well my friend. Shootin' blanks is worth it. After 6 kids, I know, and I have some horror stories about my procedure.;)
 
dcycleman said:
Another +1 on asolo, I've had my fugitives for mabe three years and have been up probly a dozen real mountains in em, like 9 hour 10+ mile day hikes. they ROCK, extremely durable, great lace system, rubber covers the whole toe area, so they dont get all scuffed up right away, and verrrryyy light.
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just bought the fugitives today. they felt like slippers right outta the box. will wear em all day for a few days...see how that goes before taking em into the woods. but right now im smiling...

the best advice given tho
is fit
like some of the salomens but they are too narrow in the toe box for me
love my keens but not for long strenuous hikes with weight
hoping these fugitives work out
im really really picky about shoes/boots.
they gotta be just right ifn im gonna hike for days at a time in them

a good store clerk who knows their stuff is worth their weigh...
like rei's little rocky thing
helps to get a real feel in store
typically i walk around the store for at least 10 minutes before even considering them
too much $ and too much at stake to not take yr time

good luck
have fun
dont rush into any boot
and dont hesitate to take em back if they arent working for ya
 
I wear New Balance, my hubby likes Montrail, Danner, and some Vasque. He will 2nd, sasha, Merrell's will not last for him.
 
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