Hiking/backpacking/work boots: what styles/brands do you use?

KingMC

KingMC

The Pun-isher
Joined
Jul 25, 2014
Messages
11,600
So of all the subforums I feel the Beckerheads seem to get out and dirty in the woods most often, so I guess I'll post a question to you all (feel free to ignore): What boots do you use for your campouts/hikes?

I've been using some Belleville military winter boots that weigh a solid ton and are honestly too small for my foot, but are very waterproof and have a great Vibram outer sole. I've got a love/hate relationship with these boots, so I've been doing a little research into potential replacements that are waterproof and have good soles, but are a bit more comfortable on the inside. At the moment I've been looking at a couple Georgia Boot and Haix boots, but not really getting sold on anything in particular.

Do you guys have any suggestions, what boots do you use a lot? Is there a good brand I need to check out? Price is only an issue if they're over $200.
 
I bought my first pair of really good hiking boots last week. Vasque Breeze. Vibram, Gor-Tex, medium stiffness, ankle support. Wore them all weekend. Very comfortable even without breaking in. Note that the gor-tex goes as high as your foot but not all the way to the top of the ankle. $170. Though I found a certain size/color combo on a popular online site for $130.

Becker, Becker, Becker (content) :)
 
The Warrior said:
I see no Becker content here. ;)
Click to expand...

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Sorry, been waiting for my 2,4,14, and 15 to arrive in the mail, had other questions whose answers would hopefully further the enjoyment of my Becker usage when I'm out in the woods. Feel free to lock, I don't expect this thread to count towards my potential becket head application.
 
For hiking and light backpacking I wear lightweight hikers, usually mid-height North Face or Merrell. I have a pair of heavy and very stiff Raichle leather boots for heavy backpacking.
 
I've been meaning to look into this as well.

I've got a pair of 8in high Wolverines that I've been using for about 9 years now. They still work great, but are a bit heavy, and I actually got them as a winter hiking boot, so I don't typically need the 800g of thinsulate each one has in it :p.

I'll be interested what knowledge other beckerheads can impart on us.

Oh, and I sharpened my BK15 the other day, and threw on one half of a set of liners (they're too thick, the other half wouldn't fit and still use the stock hardware). Its quite sharp now (also, the factory edge was starting to rust a bit after my last outing... must have gotten a touch wet and I didn't notice :/).
 
Had a pair of rocky combat boots forever that I loved, until they finally wore out. Currently using a pair of Chaco Roland boots and love them. Hiked 50 some miles at philmont and they worked perfectly. Also really wanting a pair of brown corcoran jump boots
 
Sadly, my fave boots have been out of production for several years now, and I've taken to hoarding what I can find on the interwebz. I also wore them for work for 10 years, so I have a love/infatuation relationship with them - Salomon Super Mountain 8/9's....I have VERY low volume feet and they fit like, er....socks. they make some less sturdy (i.e. not crampon compatible) hikers that I'll have to try out sometime. I'd say if you're packing a couple Beckers you'd do well to find a pair that have some sort of shank (steel or plastic) to protect the bottoms of your feet with that weight on your back....I've had some Vasques that were good, and some, ah.....crap - Czech maker, can't recall the name right now - that were also really good. Obviously, FIT is THE most important part...and suggestions mean nothing if they don't hug your feet. I got Becker related photo content I'll put in tomorrow; I'd like to see this thread stay open. After all, it is about what to wear on your soles while you're out and about with a sack full of Beckers. So, IMO, relevant (as off-topic).
 
I used to have a pair of Havana Joe "casual" work boots that I would wear hiking. Most comfortable boots ever. On an 8 mile pack-in camping trip, I had about 65lbs on my back and the ladies I was with, who were farily hard-core athletes at the time, each had 30-35lbs and "real" hiking boots. When we got in, they had blisters and sore feet. I was ready to do it again. Wore out and I haven't been able to replace 'em.

Currently have a pair of Red Wing's for work - they provide a big coupon. I tried a ton and these were the most comfortable RW's I could find - but I never really liked 'em. Last month after 6 miles with a small daypack I had blisters.
So I'm taking all these suggestions and will get some new, good boots for next summer.

How many hours should I break 'em in before a 3 day backpacking trip?
 
I got some Columbia hiking shoes this year because the waterproof high top hiking boots I have are just too much for the car camping expeditions I do with the family and friends.

Did a little research about it and as long as I'm not in snow/rain/extremely damp conditions, what I've got now should do fine. I've done a couple strenuous hiking trails out here in AZ and waterproofness is something that is more of a hassle than a bonus. The boots are heavier and my feet would get super sweaty. No thank you...

I used to only wear skate shoes for everything but after the last couple hiking/camping trips I realized I was definitely giving up more than I was getting from the ease of packing.
 
I wear a pair of low top Merrel Moab ventilators. My feet get really sweaty and I've tried different kinds of boots, some that claim to be waterproof and breathable but none have ever been breathable enough. I prefer the shoe type feel over the boot type feel usually, these offer enough ankle support for me while still alowing a large range of motion. The Moabs keep my feet nice and dry all day, at work, hiking (as long as I don't step in water deeper than 1" or so), or whatever I'm doing in them. They seem to hold up really well and they're really comfy and also they have fantastic traction. In winter I usually wear a pair of Keen Anchorage boots on days wear it's bitterly cold or I'll be walking in snow. They're waterproof and when it's that cold my feet don't sweat and they keep my feet nice and toasty. And they slip on which is nice. Pretty good for around the town.

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I use timberland direct attach boots. They're light, amazingly comfortable and waterproof up to the laces
 
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Rocky S2V's. I like 'em wide, I prefer a stitched on sole, and I like the fact that the sole wraps up the sides a bit, and they don't have a exaggerated heel to collect mud. Nice boots. I also like them because they're tall enough to stash a BK 16 in just in case.

Kidding. Just adding Becker content ;)
 
Fashion question:

Do my new boots go well with my knife?



So I figured I should update since I finally bought replacement boots. After all the great suggestions in this thread I figured I'd need to go shopping at real outdoor stores to try on boots in person rather than internet shopping. Well, after trying on everything from Georgia Boot, Danner, Rocky, Wolverine, Adidas, New Balance, and a few others, I finally settled on these Under Armour SpeedFreeks (stupid name, I know).

They're Gore-Tex w/ leather and a nice outersole (sadly not Vibram, but compromises were made) and are featherlite compared to the other boots I tried on. Of all the brands these seem to fit my feet best, so I'm hoping for the best and can't wait for the next hike.

Thanks for all your help guiding me, even if I bought something completely different than what was recommended. :p
 
ASOLO Fugitives.....After a few of my friends came back from the Afghan wonderland they told me that's all they used over there and they liked the feel. They used the FSN 95's and I couldn't find those anymore but the Fugitives were similar so i grabbed a pair.
 
Danners!..... theres some place that sends out emails where you can get em half price, Contract overruns. I've picked up 4 pair.....Frikkin love em.
 
I have Bates Code 6 8" boots. They're extremely comfortable, very light and the side zipper makes em a breeze to put on/take off. And, with the mesh material on the sides, they stay pretty cool. Most of my other boots have mafe my feet sweat and feel like im walking in soup. Ive done a lot of walking in them and wear em daily. Didn't require a break in period, as every other work boot I've owned has.
 
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