New Balance Hiking Boots?

Razor

Razor

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Joined
Dec 8, 1999
Messages
3,990
Has anyone tried these? I have always liked their sneakers. My old Kayland boots, are getting kinda holy.
 
I didn't know they made hiking boots.

Sign me up!!:D

New Balance makes the best tennis shoes, and if their hiking boots are waterproof, I definitely want some!
 
I do wear their shoes quite a bit, but it seems that they don't hold up all that well for me. Don't get me wrong I love them, and since you're supposed to replace running shoes frequently it isn't a problem. However I would probably rather spend some more money on boots that will last a long time. I've had my Asolo's for years and they're like new still.
 
Anybody wonder just how much New Balance knows about making hiking boots...meaning real hiking boots, not jazzed up fashion sneakers with high tops?
 
I have no idea how much New Balance knows about hiking boots. I do know they are the only sneaker maker whose shoes don't hurt my feet. My last 5 pairs of sneakers have been NB and my next pair more than likely will be as well. I didn't even know they made hiking boots but having looked at them they don't seem too bad. I'm not in the market for a pair of boots this year but I may have a go at them next year. Anybody here have a pair and can give us a :thumbup: or a :thumbdn: ?

Pics of boots in question....

NBhiker_01.jpg


NBhiker_02.jpg
 
I have a low cut pair, that are more like shoes then boots. But so far so good.
I have extra wide feet so NB fits me well.

Also, I like them much better then my Merrell's which were more boot like but
also a lot more uncomfortable on long hikes. They gave me blisters just putting
them on. :-)
 
My very first pair of "light hikers" -when they started using nylon along with the leather about twenty-odd years ago- were NBs. I loved them. :thumbup: I wore the living daylights out of them through college and after. I know I got over four years of use out of them, and finally killed them when I was mowing lawns for a living.

I can't speak to their current quality, because I haven't owned any of their hikers in a while. I'm wearing a pair of their trail runners right now though. :cool: I wouldn't hesitate to give them a shot again when my Patagonias wear out.

Msiley- my last pair of Merrells literally unravelled off my feet. I won't be giving them another look for a long, long time.
 
cmdionne said:
I do wear their shoes quite a bit, but it seems that they don't hold up all that well for me.
Click to expand...
I think it depends on which ones you buy. I have owned a couple pair of less expensive NB that did not last too long, but their better shoes are different. My current pair (cost around $125 at the local NB store IIRC) has over two years of almost daily wear on them, and except for some scuffs and dirt, look and feel almost new.
 
Ive had the same Asolo hikers for years. Many miles of abuse on them and they are still stout, no rips, don't leak, no sole seperation and all lace eyelets intact and strong. 8 years old and look about a year old. Best $150 I ever spent on hikers. They are as comfy as so-called "light hikers".
 
I have 15EEEE feet and depend on New Balance/Dunham to put shoes on them. :) The company is a savior for us guys with big and wide feet.

I have had good experiences with their light hikers (nylon/leather) and great experiences with their med/heavy hikers (all leather, stiffer vibram-type soles). The two pairs of all-leather medium hikers I have are favorites of mine and they've held up very well... I have a lot of miles on the older pair and I love them so much, I'm already worried about how much longer they'll be with me, even though they are showing no signs of giving up.

My next pair will be the Rainiers (the ones on the bottom in the photos above).

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I love NB shoes and don't doubt their hiking boots are ok. I doubt they would compare to the Danners I'm using now.

I'm sure, for being made in China, they are probably pretty good for the money.
 
Wow man 15EEEE.. You could give big foot a scare. Oh wait you just might be the guy that everyone takes pics of in the woods.

Sasha
 
Also, I like them much better then my Merrell's which were more boot like but
also a lot more uncomfortable on long hikes. They gave me blisters just putting
them on. :-)
Click to expand...
Random story about Merrells.
I used to almost exclusively wear Merrell- hmm, I think they were a type of Chameleons. Anyway, they were all suede and cloth, not mesh, and looked decent. They also held up fairly well. My first pair lasted me about 8 months of rough use.
My second pair, again, about eight months of hard use, but I noticed they seemed to break a little bit easier.
My third pair about 4 months of not-so-hard use. They're still wearable, but the comfort and cosmetic damage is enough that I wouldn't want to.
Still, they always were comfy.
My daily shoes now are Sperry Topsiders, with a pair or REI boots for more rough and tumble stuff and a pair of Asics running shoes when I need non-marking athletic shoes.
 
sasha said:
Wow man 15EEEE.. You could give big foot a scare. Oh wait you just might be the guy that everyone takes pics of in the woods.

Sasha
Click to expand...


I'm always afraid a sasquatch will see my 'prints and follow me, thinking I might be "one of them." :eek:

Nobody has mistaken me for a bigfoot so far. I tend to wear more clothes and shave regularly. :D


You know what they say about guys that have huge feet....



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They have a hard time finding shoes.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

desmobob
 
I have Asolos, they're great. Sorry, I don't have the New Balances.:D
 
I had a pair I wore everyday for almost 2 years and they held up great.

The Model, which I don't remember any more was discontinued, so I went Danner this time around.

Helle
 
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I've never tried their boots, however I don't like their shoes. Not because of comfort, rather, they don't look cool to me. (I only wear Nike basketball shoes - Jordans or LeBrons)

However, after hearing you all say how comfortable the shoes are, I think I am going to try some of their boots. I wear Rockies because of my job, but I would like a decent pair of hiking boots.
 
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