Hiking boot/shoe shopping experience

B

BiggDaddy485

Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
53
So as the title implies, I went down to the local outdoorsey store here in town to take a look at some hiking shoes. I've never really bought decent hiking shoes before, but I've been spending more time outside and figure its about time to invest.

So I approach the gentleman standing in the shoe section and ask:

"I'm looking for a decent pair of hiking boots or shoes in the $50-75 price range. Not lookinf for anything too fancy. Do you have anything that fits the bill?"

His reply: "No."

So I says: "Alright, what am I looking at"

"At least $150" Was his response...

Now, I saw shoes in that section for around $100, but he didn't seem too interested in showing me anything. He didn't try to show me the value of $150 shoes, or even try to get me in anything somewhere in between. At first I didn't think much of it, but now I think it was actually kindda rude of him to just shove me aside like that because I wasn't there to spend millions. Now, like I said before, I have NO experience with hiking shoes at all, so I have no idea (although I went to another shoe store today and found some Merrells for under $100, and I hear those are pretty good) what I should be expecting here. I would have expected better customer service, but perhaps he was right and there really is no such thing as good hiking shoes for under $100.

My question here would be, what do you guys think of this experience? Do you think he was right, or was he just trying to get me out because I wasn't spending a lot?

And what should I expect to pay for hiking shoes?

Thanks for the input guys.. By the way, I'm up in canada too, where things tend to be a little more than in the US..
 
Do yourself a favor & check out the Merrel Moab Ventilators (not the gortex model) you can find these for around $75~$80 & they are Awsome ! I have had mine for almost 3yrs now & they still look new & are very comfortable ! I got the mid height model(I don't care for low tops for hiking) My favorite outdoor shoe...heck my Favorite anytime shoe/boot ! That guy was just trying to make a high dollar sale !
 
I found a great pair of Merrels for around $60 so it's definitely possible to find something in your price range. Just got to look for last seasons models.
 
It just so happens that right now, I work in the shoe department of an 'outdoorsey' store, and although in my case, I have been given very little training in general, much less hiking boots specifically, I would have tried my best to show you something you were interested in and could afford. Our store is kind of the Wally-World of sporting goods stores, so we carry a lot of low-to-middle-end stuff, some of which would probably work for you. The Merrel Moab Ventilators coaldigger mentioned are among those, as well as some offerings from Keen and Timberland. Best advice I can give you? Try another store. Preferably not one staffed with or frequented by snobs :P.
 
Guy sounds like a jerk, shop elsewhere. :thumbdn:

But he's sort-of right; it is difficult to find high-quality full-leather boots, boots that would be suitable for long distance backpacking, in your price range.
However, there are plenty of lightweight boots or walking shoes in the under-$100 price range.

Have a Cabela's near you by any chance? They had a few closeouts last week at a store I was in. Looked like nice boots for really reasonable prices.

Online ordering may be an option, but not for me. I have a hard time fitting shoes and boots (and sunglasses), so everything must be tried on in person. :(
 
The guy is an ignoramus, but he is the right kind of ignoramus. He only shafted himself out of a sale he could have made. The wrong kind of ignoramus would have sold you something unsuitable.
 
Junglas said:
I never rely on salesmen. I like to do research online and read USER reviews. Try this site - http://www.buzzillions.com/men-hiki...|1||model_not_accessory|1||model_num_visits|1
Click to expand...
I don't rely completley on sales guys (I work in a commisioned environment myself), but I like to get get as many opinions as possible.. It sucks because this particular store is usually an awesome resource for this kind of stuff..

Bob W said:
Guy sounds like a jerk, shop elsewhere. :thumbdn:

But he's sort-of right; it is difficult to find high-quality full-leather boots, boots that would be suitable for long distance backpacking, in your price range.
However, there are plenty of lightweight boots or walking shoes in the under-$100 price range.

Have a Cabela's near you by any chance? They had a few closeouts last week at a store I was in. Looked like nice boots for really reasonable prices.

Online ordering may be an option, but not for me. I have a hard time fitting shoes and boots (and sunglasses), so everything must be tried on in person. :(
Click to expand...

No Cabela's that I know of, but there is a Bass Pro Shop at the north end of Toronto, I could check them out since I'll be up that way in a few weeks.. I'm in the same boat as you, I have to be there to try my shoes on.. I have strange feet
 
BiggDaddy485 said:
there is a Bass Pro Shop at the north end of Toronto, I could check them out since I'll be up that way in a few weeks.
Click to expand...

They have a ton of hiking boots, at least online, starting at $19 (on sale). Not sure what Canadian prices will be like though. Looks like their least expensive boots are the "Red Head" brand. Never heard of them, maybe a Bass Pro store brand.
They also sell the Merrell Moab Ventilator boots that were recommended above.

http://www.basspro.com/Shoes-Boots-...1z11cs1/Ns-p.price|0/Ntk-Search_All/Ntt-boots

And I can practically guarantee they'll have better service than what you encountered at your local store.
 
I used to be the kind of guy that would put just about anything on his dogs, and just deal with it. But age is catching up to me, and what I wear is important to help support my back and knees. It costs a bit more, but I recommend custom shoes. I am sporting some "Hersey's" ...which is a small company that makes each pair by hand. They have running, walking and light weight hikers. Honestly, not only do their running shoes come custom fit to EACH foot, they will outlast your store bought pairs by 5X. I didnt know how much I was hurting myself until I had shoes that fit EACH foot individually , your feet are not the same size in most cases. So buying a pair that fits both is pretty tough to do.
I had my pair built like runners with an aggressive hiking sole. I will never buy another pair of sneakers from anyone else..
Anyways...thats just my 2 cents. Thats all its worth to...LOL.
 
Yeah, that salesman was a jackass. He never even asked you about your level of experience, type of hiking, terrain, activities, etc. If you planned to backpack a 45-50 pound pack in the backcountry for more than just a few miles, I would recommend a much more robust boot which would enter that price range. I own some decent hiking boots, and recently picked up the Merrill’s mentioned here and they are excellent for shorter hikes and even light backpacking. I've seen some people out with low-top shoes and I've even worn Chaco sandals backpacking.

That department store (if it has decent brand names) would be excellent to try on several pairs and find what's comfortable and then hit the internet for sales. My wife loves Keens (mostly due to her foot structure) and she finds Keens on Ebay all the time for dirt cheap. She teaches and uses most of them in the classroom since she's on her feet all day, but her hiking boots are also Keens and she won't even look at anything else. Since she knows Keens run true to their size for her, it's easy to find deals.

During the summer and when I'm mostly on trails, hiking shoes are more than adequate. I've had some ankle problems in the past so I try to avoid over-the-ankle boots and shoes unless I'm carrying a heavy pack. I need to continue strengthening my ankles and low tops or sandals are my preference. There are several site that sell hiking shoes and depending on sizes available, you can find some great deals well under $100.

ROCK6
 
Walk out of that REI where they charge twice the price just for the honor for you to enter the store and go to this site.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

Get your foot measured and then buy from here, especially when they are having sales. You can get good discontinued boots for a lot less than REI or Cabelas. If you are anywhere near Cheyenne, WY, you can visit their store. I've been there and also bought on line with good results. I recently got a nice pair of Vasque hiking/cross trainers for around $60.
 
I am a Cabela's customer..for life..one reason..their guarantee, it is " Guaranteed" period.

As has been mentioned many sellers have periodic sales, discontinued models or last years stock. Take your time and find a pair that fits - your feet and your budget.

I'll be kicking sage brush and maybe a rattlesnake or two in WY next month hunting prairie dogs wearing Cabela's Pinnacle boots for the 4th year...well wear hunting in FL too. I've just consistently had good stuff so they get my first look though do occasionally buy elsewhere.
 
Maybe they didn't have any in that range????

I think you can find a decent pair for around 100 but maybe that store didn't have any??

Right now I have a pair of the most expensive backpacking boots I've ever bought and they really are great but just for hiking almost any boot will do shoe even better!
 
I have a cousin . she and her husband have hiked the continental divide , the pacific coast and the Appalachian trail. They wear running shoes. They say most serious hikers wear running shoes. They are lightweight, have aggressive soles, and extra cushioning.
 
Sucks when the salespeople are rude, or dumb, or both. I wouldn't drop a cent at a place like that. Well made boots do tend to be pricey though, but they can last a lifetime. There's so much personal preference though, it's hard to buy them without trying them on and walking around a little. Sizes seem to be all over the place too.
 
hollowdweller said:
Maybe they didn't have any in that range????

I think you can find a decent pair for around 100 but maybe that store didn't have any??

Right now I have a pair of the most expensive backpacking boots I've ever bought and they really are great but just for hiking almost any boot will do shoe even better!
Click to expand...
The problem was that they did have plenty of shoes in the $100 range.. And if my price range was unrealistic, then he should have taken the time to tell me why.. I work in sales and manage to get people to spend significantly more than their original price range by explaining whats realistic and what isn't..

What are the Columbia shoes like? I see them around and they seem alright, but I haven't tried any on.. I'm liking those Merrells too, and those I can get locally..
 
dipbait said:
I have a cousin . she and her husband have hiked the continental divide , the pacific coast and the Appalachian trail. They wear running shoes. They say most serious hikers wear running shoes. They are lightweight, have aggressive soles, and extra cushioning.
Click to expand...

Back when I was in college in Forestry we had this one professor, who was our Dendrology teacher. He was skinny, about 6' tall and wore tennis shoes in the woods.

So at that time I, and most of the rest of us wore the super heavy mountaineering type hiking boots that were really popular at the time, probably weighed 6 lbs.

Like THESE:

bootz.jpg


Anyway in class he would be WAY out ahead and often by the time we caught up climbing the hill to where he was he would be done describing whatever he found.

I made a "D" and had to take the class over again so the next time I changed my method.

The lab was 1pm and at lunch I'd drink a quart of coffee. Then I'd wear tennis shoes and the lightest least restrictive clothing I could find.

By God I was right up with him every day. Especially the days I also had a hit of speed with the coffee:o

I made the only A in the class that year. That was years before hiking shoes were popular (1978 and 1979) but the same principle was at work!:p
 
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