To each his own, keep in mind leather will strech with use. Fit great when I first got it but now its to big. If its leather half size smaller works for me. I've had goretek boots issued from the military had for a few years still no leaks. I've recently upgraded to danner acadians I find them very comfortable and breathable and they come in width as well as length for sizes with them I'm a ee for others I'm a eee. Again will stretch. They are my year round boots. Something else to consider is the toe shoes by vibram I find the comfertable and great in wet weather as they dry out fast. In the fittest its ok, on gravel roads they are mighty uncomfortable.
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Hiking boots
- Thread starter bmilla35
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I wouldn't order them online just because the Goretex liner/feature can affect the fitting. For picks my favorites are Keen, Merrell and Timberland's White Ledge. If you are doing very light trail hiking, I would go with a Gore-Tex trail sneaker. My favorite in that category is the Nike Wildedge but you would have to scour the internet to find a pair. Great support and waterproof too.
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The above is a current example of a goretex sneaker. Don't really need all the weight and support if you really are not doing backcountry hiking with a pack. The best pair of non waterproof low hikers I have ever bought were the Keen Voyageurs, round box toe just like all Keen's and a perfect fit for me. But it really is a personally fit shape preference that should drive your purchase. The Voyageur is superb though for most light hiking applications. And if you need quick dry but not huge ankle support I would forget these goretex and other hikers and get a solid trail running sneaker. I hiked up a volcano in Costa Rica just last year whose trail was washed out from a landslide in Adidas hikers. When I got back down I was all muddy and was able to hose myself down. Took about a day and a half for my sneakers to dry out. (I brought an extra footbed set with me as I knew that that would happen).
Couldn't agree with this more. Only unlined or leather lined for me.
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those would be the not made in China models, if they are 20 years old.
I wear Vasque, mainly because i can order them online and know whatsize i have to get.
the sundowners are great, especialy the older ones, the newer ones don't hold up as well, but they are resolable.
I sent my sundowners (Italian made) in last year to get new tread, so far they've been great, no complaints.
Vasque does make some trail running shoes. I don't use them, just the boots for me.
If you are gonna use STP, I would go to an REI and try on atleast a few pairs of each brand you're looking to get, just to check the sizing. thats my biggest problem with ordering boots or shoes online. I came real close to ordering a pair of scarpas, but i had no idea what size to get and didn't want to go through the return process. If you have an REI close to you that would be the place to go to try them all on and then just order them from STP.
good luck.
Just wanted to add, Keen sandals are great, BUT the boots, suck. I bought a pair to take overseas with me as my second pair of boots. wore them a couple of days.
zero support, ankles, arches and even side to side. could feel every rock I walked over. they felt like leather chuck taylors. the sandles had more support.
YMMV.
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Another vote here for the Merrell Moab Ventilators....I have had mine for about 4yrs now & I love'em, I wear them hiking, early season bow hunting, fishing, camping....etc Very comfortable !
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There is a Backpacker/climbing store in Monroeville that is very knowledgable about fitting you with the proper boot. Two REI's here now. Often, a certain boot company will seem to fit you better than others, for me it's Vasque and Keen. Bring along the hiking socks you will wear also for the fitting, Smartwool or the like. I prefer light GTX mid hikers for most of the year here in PA, Summer/dry I go for the non GTX light hikers.
Thanks for all the help thus far guys. Keep the advice coming!
Just an update: I went to a local store called Appalachian Outdoors in downtown State College and tried on a few pairs of boots. After how helpful the one man was I would be willing to pay a few extra bucks to support the store. He was THAT good! What I realized was that size I actually need is 12. The "buyer" for the footwear department wasn't all that helpful (in comparison to the man who talked about Gore-Tex for an hour with me, but it really isn't fair to compare to him). She couldn't explain why I needed a "day-hiker" boots over trail running shoes other than I was doing just that--hiking during the day. Basically I expressed more interest in the trail running shoes and she insisted I didn't need them because I wasn't necessarily running. Someone takes the type of shoe name a little too seriously...
Here is a link to the boot section of the website so you can see what they have to offer. Some of the prices are different. The store has more boots on sale than the website shows, but it should give you a decent idea as to what they have to offer. I was really digging the Treksta shoes..anyone have an opinion on them?
Also, do you have to worry about mud with the trail running shoes? I avoid mud at all costs, but because my favorite trail runs along a large creek there are a decent amount of smaller waterways leading to it with muddy banks. I really don't like mud.
Just an update: I went to a local store called Appalachian Outdoors in downtown State College and tried on a few pairs of boots. After how helpful the one man was I would be willing to pay a few extra bucks to support the store. He was THAT good! What I realized was that size I actually need is 12. The "buyer" for the footwear department wasn't all that helpful (in comparison to the man who talked about Gore-Tex for an hour with me, but it really isn't fair to compare to him). She couldn't explain why I needed a "day-hiker" boots over trail running shoes other than I was doing just that--hiking during the day. Basically I expressed more interest in the trail running shoes and she insisted I didn't need them because I wasn't necessarily running. Someone takes the type of shoe name a little too seriously...
Here is a link to the boot section of the website so you can see what they have to offer. Some of the prices are different. The store has more boots on sale than the website shows, but it should give you a decent idea as to what they have to offer. I was really digging the Treksta shoes..anyone have an opinion on them?
Also, do you have to worry about mud with the trail running shoes? I avoid mud at all costs, but because my favorite trail runs along a large creek there are a decent amount of smaller waterways leading to it with muddy banks. I really don't like mud.
I have a pair of Asolo that are similar to those. They are pretty rugged and comfortable. They don't give me very good traction on snow and ice.
At this stage in your hiking, I would advise against spending the money on a full blown hiking boot. The primary differences in hiking boots and light hiking boots is the addition of a stiff shank the sole (prevents the sole from buckling under the weight when you step on rocks) and higher stiffer (read: heavier) uppers. As a result, full hikers are heavier and harder to fit/break-in. I would advise steering clear of them unless/until you start going further afield and get more into it. IME, most people get more use out of light hikers as they are getting into it.
I would advise not getting hung up on the distinctions between trail runners, low-cut light hikers and mid-height light hikers. Despite the young sales-woman's best intentions and despite all the marketing hoopla, they're all just basically spiffed up sneakers. Light hikers may have a burlier sole by a small tick, but not by much. Trail runners will tend to be a tick lighter with less support in the sole but more cushion but not by much. My strong suggestion is to buy what ever feels the best initially and fits your budget. Buying in-store is the best way to go at first.
Regarding fit, beware going too short. Hiking shoes/boots are often best just a bit longer than street shoes. If the store is a good hiking store, they should have a boot fit ramp to walk down. The boots should be long enough than when you walk downhill for an extended period of time, your toes don't hit the ends of the boots. If they do, you can blacken and loose your bit toe nails and hurt your toes. If the store doesn't haven't have a ramp to walk down, scuff your feet forward vigorously against the floor. If you can feel the front of the boot, consider moving up a 1/2 size.
Regarding mud, mud happens. I always hike with ankle high mini gaiters. It keeps debris out of my boots and generally keeps the worst of mud and muck off. But most people feel self-conscious wearing them. Me? I have no pride.
When (not if, but when) your shoes get muddy, let them dry in warm dry location. Buy a stiff plastic scrub brush and once the boots are dry, give them a good dry brushing/scrubbing outside. 90% of the mud will just brush off.
Perfectly clean boots are like perfectly unused knives - a terribly sad thing to see. It's a sign of not being used. Get 'em muddy. That's why we call 'em boots.
I would advise not getting hung up on the distinctions between trail runners, low-cut light hikers and mid-height light hikers. Despite the young sales-woman's best intentions and despite all the marketing hoopla, they're all just basically spiffed up sneakers. Light hikers may have a burlier sole by a small tick, but not by much. Trail runners will tend to be a tick lighter with less support in the sole but more cushion but not by much. My strong suggestion is to buy what ever feels the best initially and fits your budget. Buying in-store is the best way to go at first.
Regarding fit, beware going too short. Hiking shoes/boots are often best just a bit longer than street shoes. If the store is a good hiking store, they should have a boot fit ramp to walk down. The boots should be long enough than when you walk downhill for an extended period of time, your toes don't hit the ends of the boots. If they do, you can blacken and loose your bit toe nails and hurt your toes. If the store doesn't haven't have a ramp to walk down, scuff your feet forward vigorously against the floor. If you can feel the front of the boot, consider moving up a 1/2 size.
Regarding mud, mud happens. I always hike with ankle high mini gaiters. It keeps debris out of my boots and generally keeps the worst of mud and muck off. But most people feel self-conscious wearing them. Me? I have no pride.
When (not if, but when) your shoes get muddy, let them dry in warm dry location. Buy a stiff plastic scrub brush and once the boots are dry, give them a good dry brushing/scrubbing outside. 90% of the mud will just brush off.
Perfectly clean boots are like perfectly unused knives - a terribly sad thing to see. It's a sign of not being used. Get 'em muddy. That's why we call 'em boots.
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I really like a hiking shoe. Some of my favorites are the Merrell Chameleon. I had some keens I really liked too. However I was having a lot of foot pain from hiking on trails that are really nothing but rocks, and switched to some Zamberlin Skill GT's which are leather but very light but with stiff soles and really like them
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Keen's are great if you have wide feet! That's why it's important to try them on and stick with the rule of trying the shoe on at the end of the day as your feet will swell with hiking. I'm not too opposed to Goretex at all. I wore a pair of Nike goretex trail sneakers through 20 mile treks in the Sonoran desert and they worked great. I have had Keen Targee's (I have a wide flat foot) and they were far more cushy then the Merrell's, however the Merrell's felt way lighter and more like a sneaker which is why I liked those.
My last serious hiking trip was in Costa Rica, light day packs only and again I wore trail hikers to climb a 13,000 ft. volcano with the trail washed out as well as virgin rain forest in the southeastern part of the country. Generally hikers are overkill for day hiking! I use my regular goretex hikers for rainy, muddy days more often than not and for real light day hiking regular train sneakers with wool socks work great. If you have zero foot issues and don't need the support which is what I think you are telling everyone there's plenty of sneaker like choices out there. Just follow the rule about trying them on at the end of the day to accommodate for feet swelling. Any stability issues can often get fixed with an after market footbed that has a plastic plate in it.
PS if you hate wet feet you have to get a waterproof shoe. I.E. the adidas I posted up. If you don't care than its not an issue everything washes off anyway.
My last serious hiking trip was in Costa Rica, light day packs only and again I wore trail hikers to climb a 13,000 ft. volcano with the trail washed out as well as virgin rain forest in the southeastern part of the country. Generally hikers are overkill for day hiking! I use my regular goretex hikers for rainy, muddy days more often than not and for real light day hiking regular train sneakers with wool socks work great. If you have zero foot issues and don't need the support which is what I think you are telling everyone there's plenty of sneaker like choices out there. Just follow the rule about trying them on at the end of the day to accommodate for feet swelling. Any stability issues can often get fixed with an after market footbed that has a plastic plate in it.
PS if you hate wet feet you have to get a waterproof shoe. I.E. the adidas I posted up. If you don't care than its not an issue everything washes off anyway.
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Really good advice there!
Neverrrrr!
Yeah, I think I ruled out a full hiking boot. Good idea with the toe room check. I don't remember seeing a ramp, but then again, I wasn't really looking
Ahhh too many options. I do like the adidas you posted, but I don't really know if I need waterproof. I would like to buy at the local store to support them, but also love deals. Then again, if I buy from an online store without trying them on it's a shot in the dark as to the fit. STP's 30% off deal doesn't apply to items that contain Gor-Tex, so that rules a lot of the boots/trail running shoes I liked out.
Check out Oboz. They are a good tough low height walking/hiking shoe.
I just logged about 16 miles down in Big Bend hiking through the back country with about 45lbs in my pack. Only 5 miles of that on "regular" trails.
I had a pair from patagonia in that same style, and these put those to shame. Oboz is far tougher and far more comfortable as well.
However as has stated many times in this thread, they need to fit YOUR feet.
Good luck!
http://obozfootwear.com/products/mens-firebrand-ii-bdry/firebrand-ii/
I just logged about 16 miles down in Big Bend hiking through the back country with about 45lbs in my pack. Only 5 miles of that on "regular" trails.
I had a pair from patagonia in that same style, and these put those to shame. Oboz is far tougher and far more comfortable as well.
However as has stated many times in this thread, they need to fit YOUR feet.
Good luck!
http://obozfootwear.com/products/mens-firebrand-ii-bdry/firebrand-ii/
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I went to that link, that is one hell of a shoe store. the shoes at that page were'nt quite up my ally but they looked comfortable.
I do have one more bit of advice. I've seen a lot of people, mostly young guys go for the lightest boot they can get only to end up with sore feet in the long run from stress on the heel or arches from not enough support in the sole.
what used to be called hiking boots are now backpaking boots.
like i said before, good luck on your choice, and take cair of your feet, you only get two.