Hiking Boots/Everyday boots

T

Toxin

Joined
Apr 25, 2002
Messages
24
Hi, iam new to bladeforums. I plan on going hiking soon and was wondering if the boots iam getting are the best for my money, they where recommended by a friend. These boots need to be good for 3+ day hiking and for everyday routine. I just like to get a second opinion.
thanks.
http://www.nucleus.com/~kitshop/items/item8.htm
 
Here's an important question to get appropriate opinions: "Where will you be hiking and what is the terrain & weather you expect to encounter there??"

I notice that the boots you're considering are high-top and insulated (optionally). If you're hiking in hot weather they may bake your feet badly. These boots weigh 3 lbs 12 oz. Current technology allows very sturdy boots to be made with lighter weights than we saw 5-10 years ago. Shop around to find the boots that will afford you secure footing and comfort, while offering the fewest drawbacks in design and weight. The old saying goes, "A pound off the feet is worth five off the back."

Also, I'm not sure if the price on the page you linked is US or Canadian dollars, but this model of boots is available on the net for less than $200 USD. FWIW, Danner boots have a very strong reputation for making super-durable boots.

I highly recommend you go to a sporting goods store that has a wide selection of hiking boots and spend an afternoon trying on boots. Take the time to try on 20 pair or more. That will give you a fair baseline for what your feet like and do not like. Don't buy boots based on the salesman's hype, the price, a friend's or fellow-shopper's opinion, or adverts in the magazines. LISTEN TO YOUR FEET!! The opinion you get from me or anyone else won't mean squat when you are out on the trail. Boots are a very personal subjective choice and the choice should be based on what your feet tell you.

Boot trying tip: Take along a heavy pack (books are heavy, otherwise there is rocks ;) ) to wear while trying on boots in the store. This gives you an approximation of the boot compression that a loaded pack will be exerting when you are on the trail. It does not approximate the swelling that comes with beating your feet all day on the trail.

HTH,
- Greg -
 
Hey Toxin welcome to the forums,I own those same boots and they are great boots for hikeing,But I ran into a problem the other day with them.I went trompin and found myself in a situation where I had to cross a stream,The boots are water proof but once you get past the top of the boot they just fill with water.

This became a problem because the water has no where to drain out of.So I had to take my boots off and pour the water out,I had hiked 10 more miles and my boots were still soaken wet inside.So the next day I went out and bought a pair of altama jungle boots which are so far alot more comfortable and they have draining holes on the side.Plus they are alot lighter,also I have seen the danners cheaper on the web about 189 bucks but you could buy 2 pairs of altamas.

I guess it all comes down to what suits your needs better.If you want to look at the altama boots www.altama.com
 
Hey... Check out the Moraine Montrails. They are GREAT (at lest on <i>my</i> feet.) You might also look into Asolo, Salomon, Merrill, and I'm trying to remember the one that Javahed particularly liked. Check back through the forum and you'll find it.

Go to an EMS, REI, Trail and Ski - an outdoor outfitter - and spend some quality time trying on boots. Make a point of working with the resident boot guru and not just another guy or girl who can fit shoes to feet. Get their input and then once you find a pair that seems to make your feet happy, have the staff load up a pack with about 40lbs of ballast and walk around the store in those boots with the pack on your back for another hour or so. THAT will give you a decent idea of what works for you.

Enjoy!:)

Also... when crossing rivers, take your boots off and put on a pair of surf shoes or sport sandals like Chacos or Tevas. Once you get to the other side, put your dry boots back on!
 
The boots are water proof but once you get past the top of the boot they just fill with water.
Click to expand...

Well what exatly did you expect to happen? Besides you can always break out the trust Duct Tape and tape the tops of the boots to your legs, will remain water tight long enough for a quick crossing.
 
What I did expect was for a 200 dollar pair of boots was for them to release some of the water not keep it all inside like they did.
In a survival situation,if that happens as we all know your feet mean everything,your up s**t creek cause those suckers dont dry in a couple of hours try a day and a half.And thats letting them sit outside in 95 degree weather.
I agree with Jeff Randall on this one where water proof boots aint worth a damn if water goes over the top.I just wish I would had read about the review by Mike Perrin on altama boots along time ago.
Yes I should have known about the water going over the top and never draining out,So in my opinion if your going hiking or whatever and you tromp in alot of water dont get water proof boots,oh yeah and dont wear cotton socks.

As for duct tape around your boots and skin,man thats great if you shave your legs,I like the hair and skin on my legs.
I dont wanna come off the wrong way but duct tape no thanks thats not for me.
 
Featherstone... If you're wearing socks, the tape can adhere to them.:rolleyes: Great gear is a poor substitute for lack of common sense and training in a survival situation... And please do not take offense. Sometimes the most obvious answers or options elude me too.

Altama jungleboots, and I've worn them a lot, are probably the best of their kind. And if you are in a rainforest/jungle/aquatic environment, then they are probably what you want. However, in other environs, there are far better choices. Just like the boots that I recommended are outstanding, they are best for very rugged terrain. Other terrain may dictate the need for another or lighter type.

Consider the terrain and then decide on the gear to meet your needs.
 
I guess everyone has there own taste,god I hope so.
The enviorment im trompin in here in cali has alot of streams,and its hot as hell as I type. Another reason why the danners dont suit me is when it is hot or after a long hike my feet feel like there on FIRE.But dont get me wrong when I was in the high sierras for 2 weeks it was ass cold and im glad I had those danners on cause it was 5 below 0 at night.
Again the altama boots are alot more comfortable for me they are lighter and I have more flexability which helps.
I will be really puttin them to the test in July.Every july I spend 3 weeks in the high sierras,strictly primitive camping.
 
I almost forgot maybe evryone else can but I cannot wear socks past my boots which means I cant use the duct tape idea.
I sufferd 3rd degree burns in a fight on my shin and calf,I had gotten into a fight with a loud mouth drunk who decided to throw burning cooking oil on my legs.The places where I had skin graphs,socks just tear my skin all up,my skin graphs cannot have any type of sock touch,it sucks but thats just part of life now.Doc said my graphs will be more exceptable to matierials as time passes but not now.
Once again sorry if I came off a little harsh
 
Ooooo.... Ouch!

Now I see what you mean. THAT had to hurt!!!:eek:

I hope I didn't come off sounding like a jerk either. BTW, my friend who is a State Trooper wears Danners and says that his feet sweat like hell in them in the summer. But, he loves them in the winter. Over all, he likes them very much.

It sounds like your boot choice is right for your area. Some advice I would give to TOXIN on jungle boots would be to buy them a half size too big and then get a set of Spenco Cross-Trainer inserts. That goes a LOOOONG way toward keepin happy feet.

Hope those burns heal quick!
 
I recently got a pair Asolo Fusion 95 Gore-Tex boots. They are light (under 3lb) and amazingly supportive for their weight. I bought them to use in the summer to prolong the life of my Merrell Leathers because Merrell doesn't make them anymore. However, I have used the Asolos in just about every kind of terrain and weather Washington has to offer short of Glacier travel (they are not crampon compatible) and they have handled it well, yet they are still comfprtable enough to wear to work. I have to agree with the Backpacker Magazine editor who said ". . . for everything shy of the most crushing loads on the most brutal terrain, it's all the boot this backpacker needs." Just make sure you cover all the seamd liberally with
Seam Grip or silicone glue/sealer to seal and protect them.
 
Don't get danner! I own a pair of acadias, they are fine if you plan on hiking through urban areas, but are not supportive enough for trail use. The rougher the ground the worse they are. The insulation isn't much good I wore mine on a trip to Alberta just before christmas and didn't keep my feet warm, just sweaty and cold. I have since bought a pair of Lowa military boots which are much better. They do a good job of keeping my feet warm in winter and cool in warmer weather. The gore-tex lining IS actually the lining so if water goes over the top of the boots the inside does not absorb the water, and they dry out very quick. My feat have never got sweaty wearing these boots.

I also own a pair of Materhorn Orions and in my opinion are better than danners plus much lighter.
 
Thanks, alot. I'll been going to Mountain Coop to see what they have to offer that the Danner Boots dont have. I live in Canada B.C. so i'll be hiking through think brush, tree's and crossing rivers The weather is usually cold and raining. Crossing the river, I would tie the shoe's together put them over my head and have sandles to walk through the river. Oh and the price of the boots is in Canadian. Again much appreciated.
 
If you like the altama boots you may wnat to try Wellco the are also a military contractor and have a jugle boots. i have used mine year now and have been very happy with them. I also have there Desert boots. Well worth the money. www.wellco.com
 
Wellco is a great source. Check out their version of the issue US Army combat boot with the Panama sole. www.bellevilleshoe.com is another direct-from-the-contractor source of Mil. Spec. boots.

After I got out of the Army I hiked in my Panama sole jungle boots until they died. The large flat parts of the vulcanized rubber sole provide great friction and grip for talus hopping. I was thinking about buying a pair of the Mil. Spec. desert boots when the Asolos went on sale.
 
Hi Toxin

I would have to agree with Willadams on this one. I have used the Danner boot I also have the Matterhorn and British Army Pro boot all are ok as what I would call a work boot about camp but in my opinion and opinions are like arse holes we all have them, these boots are not suitable for hiking or any situation were you will be carrying weight. They offer little support where it is needed and when the leather gets wet the boot stretches just enough to not fit.

I have now a pair of Lowa Mountain Boots the same as WillAdams and these are definately the best boot I have used by far. These boots have kept my feet in good order after marching 40 mile plus with kit, their just brill. Also when they were wet I just changed my socks and they dryed out sufficently enough not to be a probelm.

But like everything it all depends on the conditions that you will be operating in.

Any insulated or goretex lined boot would be out for any hot climate.

Lyon:D
 
Water coming in over the tops of boots is something to be expected or planned for. Remember, drain holes that allow the water to come out also allow the water to come in. You can't have everything.

Lightweight, support, water proof Goretex or equivalent; these are what I seek.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top