The piece of gear no one really talks about...Hiking Shoes!

HikingMano

HikingMano

Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
7,702
I believe this is something relatively important that's rarely discussed. Maybe it's too mundane or simple and there isn't as much to shoe selection as I think there is, but ever since I started shopping for my first pair of dedicated hiking shoes (previously used my running shoes for hiking) I've come to realize that there are so many options out there. So, since we talk about sleeping bags and rain gear and packs, I'd love to hear any of your thoughts or recommendations on footwear. Anything from brands (no clue here) to materials (do you really need gore-tex?) to ankle-support (worth the extra bulk?). I'm hoping to pick up a decent pair this christmas.

The relevant info:
*Would use the shoes for light to moderate hikes, mostly in California. Hopefully I'll work up to small backpacking trips by next summer. They need to be able to tackle any kind of terrain in any weather.
*I have wide feet.:D
*I am willing to drop a decent bit of money on it (up to $100? Maybe $175 if it's that good of a shoe :)). I have to remind myself I can't be stingy; I'd spend just as much on a knife that might or might not get picked for each hike, whereas the shoes would go on EVERY hike. :D

Thanks in advance!
 
Well, I have wide feet myself (but a kind of narrow heel) and I use Montrail Hard Rocks. I also have heavy boots, but for fast and light hikes, I love the Hard Rocks. They are grippy, have a lot of arch support, and are light and comfortable.

When I am in DEEP bush, away from trails and carrying heavy loads and there won't be anyone to help me, I like heavy boots.

When I'm on a trail anyway, and odds of a broken ankle killing me are remote, then I reach for the shoes and love every step!
 
Yea I do the same thing. For big trips with a large pack I love my Asolo Fugitives. and for day hikes and the like I just wear some addidas running shoes.
 
yeah, I guess it really depends on if I'm planning to do much off-trail hiking. So far i've never really been off trail here in CA, hope to do a bit more though.
 
I have wide feet as well. For shoes I like Merrell or Vasque. But if you want all terrain, a boot may be a better idea: Danner and Vasque work for me. Lowa also makes a wide width in a few models of light boots.
 
I hike in a well-made running shoe. They are much lighter than boots and much more comfortable. I also find that the properly fitted running shoe, through design and construction, tends to promote proper position to avoid injuries like bone spurs, strained arches, etc. They also generally breathe better than boots. Unless I need ankle protection from rocks, I will never go back to hiking in boots.
 
I've just recently started using Lowa Renegade GTX mids and am very happy with them so far. They're at the upper end of your price range at about $170 but if you look around you should be able to find somewhere they're on sale or find a coupon for an online store. I'm fairly certain they come in wide as well.
 
I just got a pair of Meindl hiking boots from Cabelas and used them for two weeks in the mountains. They are the "Perfekt" model with Gore-Tex and 400 grams of thinsulate insulation. They worked very well for steep, rugged terrain. Order them a 1/2 size larger and wider than your normal shoe as they come a bit small and this allows for a pair of liner socks and a thick pair of wool socks also.
 
I wear Mendl Burma's and wouldn't hesitate to recommend those to anyone !!!
 
This post is near and dear to my......feet, which are short (7 1/2 - 8), flat (as in pretty
much no arches), and DDD width.
Aside from going in my bare feet, anybody have any suggestions?
Would be used for both light hiking (trail) and off trail.

Thanks.
Dave
 
My wife has had a few foot problems. we went to a shoe store and found a pair of Merrel hiking boots for $140. she says she likes them.

Shoes is the reason I dislike Bass Pro, they don't carry shoes larger than 12's.
One of the biggest sporting goods stores, I live an hour from the H Q in Springfield Mo. There are several colleges, a few low semi pro teams, and a AA baseball team, Cardinals, and a bunch of big old rednecks on the way to Branson. But some mid level management decided that they only need to carry shoes up to 12's. Sounds like a good place to open a store. I wear 14 or 15's, most of the time I waer Nike or New Balance walking shoes, ut I am always looking for a pair of hiking shoes.

I wo't buy them over the net because I want a good fit and don't want to deal with having to send them back if they don't fit.


Pat
 
i've heard alot of good things about merrels and they will probably be my next purchase for boots.

at the moment i trump around in zamberlan trek lite 2

they are very comfortable and i lived in them for 2 months walking up the east coast of australia. they endured salt water, fresh water, sand, dirt, rocks, just about everything i threw at them.

would recommend them to all

also because my feet are wide i like the fact that they have wide sizes,

JC
 
I have been wearing the same pair of Timberland White Ledge (model 12135) just about every day for the last 19 months. They hold up really well and are reasonably priced (they usually cost $60 or $70). It is pertinant to try them on before buying (buy local). The sizing does vary from pair to pair- ie. I bought 2 pairs, one is a 12 the other is a 13. I have wide/flat feet and these are very comfortable. Well worth the money.
 
Danner 453GTX boots are what I wear for both hikes and backpacking. Very little breakin (wore around house for a day) and I wore them on a 10 mile hike that includes very steep uphill and downhill on clay and rock and some sidehill. My foot doesn't move in this boot, they are extremely comfortable and didn't break traction once. No hotspots and the goretex liner keeps my feet dry. I wear merino wool hiking socks with Smartwool liners.

There are a couple of reviews on this boot online, so check them out if interested.
 
Thanks for all the responses so far (quick too!) :thumbup:, got some research to do now :).

Looks like I wasn't too far off base sticking with my running shoes all this time, maybe i'll just look into upgrading to a good pair of trailrunners or light hikers (that Danner one looks good longbow:thumbup:), at least until I get into more serious off-trail stuff. Keep em coming guys :thumbup:
 
I'd go with Danners. I uise their Mountainlight II's which are above your price point but you can find their 453's and Journeymans in that range. I wore a pair of their Journeymen for 2 1/2 years of daily use carrying a heavy pack over varied rocky terrain, I was amazed how they held up.
 
I am kind of going off boots as well. I tried ankle high trainers (black reebok) with wool socks and a pair of sealskinz, only tried it once but it felt more comfortable than any of the boots I have worn.

Someone recently suggested to me that the same socks with jungle boots would be just as comfortable and harder wearing.
 
I actually really liked both of the boots issued when I was active duty. The ones I liked best for long trips were the ICB infantry combat boots made by Danner, Matterhorn, etc. What I found to be just as important as boots were the socks. My favorite are the Thor-lo deluxe combat boot socks. They run about $12 a pair but that is money well spent. I wore the same pair for two weeks during combat training without washing them and they kept my feet blister free by just letting them air dry at night.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top