Hiking & Med. backpacking boots wanted

longbow50

longbow50

Joined
Jul 12, 2002
Messages
3,291
I've been wearing a pair of Vasque Zyphers, which are actually just a hiking boot for all of my outdoor adventures and they have performed admirably, lasting me for a bit over 6 years, with almost daily wear. Long story short, they are breaking down and starting to give me hotspots, when they have never done this in the past. Even new superfeet inserts didn't help any, so I figure it's time for a new pair.

I've looked at the Vasque line and from most of the reviews that I've read, the Wasatch boot looked very promising. Fortunately, a few of the reviews stated that the left boot had high heal pressure (hard feeling?) and made it very uncomfortable to wear for any length of time, so when I went down to the local Redwing/Irish Setter/Vasque outlet, I looked for that problem and wouldn't ya know it, all of the boots in that particular boot that were my size (11-11 1/2) had a hard feeling to the heal, inside of the left boot. Almost like it was higher than the right boot inside. So, I'm figuring that it's a manufacturing flaw and the new REI doesn't even carry the boot in sizes 10 - 11 1/2, so I can't check them out at their store.

Now to my question, who out there has had real good luck with a hiking/backpacking boot, with good support, fits to size and overall good ergonomics/comfort, with a relatively short breakin period? Now the kicker, it can't exceed $160.00-$175.00.

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer on finding a good boot.

Bill
 
I just got a pair of scarpas. They're ok. I just can't get the footbeds how I want. I bought my second pair of super feet to try and I hated them, just like the first pair. The arch is back in the damn heal. If you go to their web page, a frequently asked question is "why does the arch feel like it's in my heal?" Well because that's exactly where the hell it is. Right now I've just got some Dr. Scholes Gels in there and it's 100% better but not what I need. I dunno if I like these or not yet.

edit: I'm sorry, I realize this has nothing to do with your question. I was more or less venting.
 
I have a pair of Mendl Burma's and other than a Squeak everytime I walk they are great boots, great fit and comfy right from the box, not sure if you will pick them up in your budget though !

Another company which is famous in the UK for it's lightweight, comfy boots which require no breaking in are these....
http://www.brasher.co.uk/

They will fall within your budget but I'm not sure where you would order them from living in the states !
 
I bought a pair of Irish Setter boots a little while ago, the light ones without insulation, but better ventilation, also water proof with goretex.

I have a very hard time finding comfortable shoes, because I have flat feet. I spent a week in them right out of the box, working in the bush going up and down hill, rocky terrain, and I was very pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they were. no blisters, no aches, nothing. My feet didnt sweat even in two pairs of socks (one pair being thick wool socks too) and my feet stayed dry walking through ankle deep water.

I couldnt be happier with them.
 
i like my good ol columbias. the provide great traction and are very comfy. on a plus side they're fashionable enough to wear with a nice pair of jeans when going into town :D

cheers
 
i got a pair of wasatch's recently from REI (8.5) and did not notice that issue. i barely broke mine in and then went for a 5 mile dayhike with a 20-lb pack. my feet felt fine.
 
morph said:
i got a pair of wasatch's recently from REI (8.5) and did not notice that issue. i barely broke mine in and then went for a 5 mile dayhike with a 20-lb pack. my feet felt fine.
Click to expand...

That's about how I broke in my Zyphers. Wore them around the house for a day and then took them 7 miles on up/down and sidehill trails. Feet felt great and they were like that until just recently.

I would like to get the Wasatch, but they must be having birthing problems with China lately. Seems they are blowing a lot of good products right outta the market with manufacturing probs.
 
I dont know what the prices are on them now, But I am on my second pair of Asolo 520 GTX's.

I liked them much better than my montrail Morraine AT's
 
pitdog said:
I have a pair of Mendl Burma's and other than a Squeak everytime I walk they are great boots, great fit and comfy right from the box, not sure if you will pick them up in your budget though !

Another company which is famous in the UK for it's lightweight, comfy boots which require no breaking in are these....
http://www.brasher.co.uk/

They will fall within your budget but I'm not sure where you would order them from living in the states !
Click to expand...

I bought a pair of Mendl boots from Cabelas and really liked how they felt. Heavy, but outstading fit............ except for the toebox. I have a need for a bit more toebox. I sent the boots back and that's when I happened to find and try on the Vasque boots when I bought the Zyphers. Good recommendation on boot though. :thumbup:
 
Domanfp said:
I dont know what the prices are on them now, But I am on my second pair of Asolo 520 GTX's.

I liked them much better than my montrail Morraine AT's
Click to expand...

I tried a pair of Asolo boots on when at REI. They were OK, but tight across the top of my foot. Changing the lacing loosened them up, but then the boot slid on my heel some. I suppose that I could figure out how to get them to fit, but maybe I'll go back and do a half size larger and see how that does for me. I didn't have a lot of time when I was there originally.
 
JackBauer24 said:
I just got a pair of scarpas. They're ok. I just can't get the footbeds how I want. I bought my second pair of super feet to try and I hated them, just like the first pair. The arch is back in the damn heal. If you go to their web page, a frequently asked question is "why does the arch feel like it's in my heal?" Well because that's exactly where the hell it is. Right now I've just got some Dr. Scholes Gels in there and it's 100% better but not what I need. I dunno if I like these or not yet.

edit: I'm sorry, I realize this has nothing to do with your question. I was more or less venting.
Click to expand...

I think they have a design problem if the arch support is in the heel area. I'd be returning them boots I think. Without proper support, they will never carry you with any amount of comfort and when your arches start to hurt, your hike is over, no matter where you are.
 
longbow50 said:
I think they have a design problem if the arch support is in the heel area. I'd be returning them boots I think. Without proper support, they will never carry you with any amount of comfort and when your arches start to hurt, your hike is over, no matter where you are.
Click to expand...

it's the superfeet insoles that have the arch in the heal not the boots.
 
JackBauer24 said:
it's the superfeet insoles that have the arch in the heal not the boots.
Click to expand...

Ahh, my error........

That's interesting, because I've been wearing superfeet backpacking inserts for several years, including a brand new set and the arch is right where it should be. Very comfortable and supportive.
 
I always just keep a watch on sierra trading post as I have gotten some unbelievable deals from them in the past. That said I have two pairs of Vasque Sundowners (older style) that are still my main backpacking/hiking boots. I just picked up a pair of Dunham Cloud 9 boots from sierra really cheap and I am liking them. It depends on how heavy duty of a boot that you like to backpack in but the reviews on the Dunham line seem to be pretty good and the fit and feel of the boot is excellent. As a side note New Balance bought Dunham and so they have a very wide line of sizes if you are hard to fit at all. For my 14 ee's that is nice!
 
I've had four pairs of Zamberlans over the years,great build quality ,reasonable price,try their Trek-lites(3 season).
 
I recently bought a pair of Meindl Perfekt Hikers (yes, thats how it's spelled) from Cabelas.$199.99. As soon as I put them on in the store, they are most likely the most comfotable footwear I have ever put on. It's best to go and try them on in person rather than ordering from the catalog. Saves a lot of grief.
 
Take a look at these boots they have many different options. I love a hiking boot but being x army I am always looking for something cut a little higher. I purchased a pair of HanWags 3 years ago and they are a top O line quality boot.My boot is dicontinued but the Trapper GTX or Eagle GTX would be my next boot. I am not sure how much these boots are but I think if you look around you should be able to get them for around 200$ judging by what I paid for mine.
Also some one mentioned the Zamberlan and that is also a great boot.
 
GIBBY said:
I recently bought a pair of Meindl Perfekt Hikers (yes, thats how it's spelled) from Cabelas.$199.99. As soon as I put them on in the store, they are most likely the most comfotable footwear I have ever put on. It's best to go and try them on in person rather than ordering from the catalog. Saves a lot of grief.
Click to expand...

Those are the boots that I ordered from Cabelas, just couldn't remember the name. Excellent boots, just not enough toebox for me.
 
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