New Balance Hiking Boots?

I've used both New balance and Dunhams. I've found the dunhams to be a bit tougher as I have had pairs last me 2 - 4 years. The waterproofing is great, as long as you don't get water over the top it isn't getting in no matter how long the leather is underwater. Just try not to get a model that has a ton of seams especially a seam that curves/runs vertical right in the middle of your foot by your arch.
Kevin
 
I've had a pair of Dunham boots (made by New Balance or own New Balance; I'm not sure of the company semantics) for nearly 5 years. They were indestructibly waterproof despite having no Goretex until a seam finally started to unravel a year ago. They're an all-leather model with Dunham-brand soles. The traction and durability are great. I'd call them medium-duty, good with a pack upto 30ish pounds.
Now that a seam's coming apart, I've relegated them to landscaping duty, which they accomplish with aplomb.
I recommend Dunham boots and, by extension, New Balance, so long as they comfortably fit your feet with the socks you'll most frequently wear in 'em.
 
Hey guys,

I have a pair of NB that are 795 models I think, they are leather and Hiking bookesk.
I buy new balance because they are the only shoes I can find localy the come in 14 4E, and their are really only a few choices, they just seemed nice to me.
 
jim preston said:
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.
Click to expand...


all i wear are merrells, i have had the same camelons for 2 years, also i have had a pair or merrell swithback hicking boot for like almost 2 and i love them. I am sorry to hear all those bad things about them, all they have gave me are good results, Money well spent.

As for the new balance boots, i say go for em, you might just like em. if you do get them give us an update on how things are going.
 
I had some older NB hiking boots. Very comfy for trail hiking but not really sturdy enough for backpacking, in my opinion. Not much midsole protection from rock bruising and the ankle area construction was light. That said, those new NB boots look sturdier than what I had.

The lightest boots with which I backpack are the Asolo FSN 95s, available from Sierra Trading Post at a decent price. I wear a 10 1/2 EEEE in the NB trail shoes and the Asolo 10 1/2 W is comfortable with regular thickness Smartwools (not the Expedition thickness).

DancesWithKnives
 
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