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

I have a first rate pair of Merrel's with Vibram soles I use a lot in the winter and in the bush but if I have to spend all day or several days on my feet with a heavy pack I want a real pair of boots ,like a pair of Matterhorns with some really good insoles. The new style hikers that are like heavy brown leather high tops are fine for casual use but people like special forces guys or remote area surveyors use real boots that lase up 10 to 14 eyelets.
I have a abou 8 pairs of boots right now but I worked in an army surplus store for a while so I a few extras that looked cool showed up.

One of the best ultra cold weather boots ,like -40 to -70 celsius are the Canadian army mukluks with the wool liners. I also have a pair of alpaca socks that have to be experienced to be believed.
 
I buy the Vasque heavy hiking boots at REI (wide feet again, you'll hear people with wide feet mention Vasque and merril a lot)

I've got some vasque light hikers, too, but the heavy jobbers with the full one piece leather toe form to my feet better and are more comfortable.
 
koyote said:
I buy the Vasque heavy hiking boots at REI (wide feet again, you'll hear people with wide feet mention Vasque and merril a lot)

I've got some vasque light hikers, too, but the heavy jobbers with the full one piece leather toe form to my feet better and are more comfortable.
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Yeah, looks like i'll keep my eyes open for vasque, merrel, asolo, and danner hiking boots/light hikers (or montrail trial runners, or Chaco sandals). Hopefully I'll get to make a trip to REI this weekend and see what they have in stock so I can try a bunch on. I'm surprised this thread got so many responses, thanks again all :thumbup:
 
rksoon said:
Yeah, looks like i'll keep my eyes open for vasque, merrel, asolo, and danner hiking boots/light hikers (or montrail trial runners, or Chaco sandals). Hopefully I'll get to make a trip to REI this weekend and see what they have in stock so I can try a bunch on. I'm surprised this thread got so many responses, thanks again all :thumbup:
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I replaced a pair of Vasque Zephers with my Danners. The Vasque boots had little breakin and have never given me a blister, or hotspot. Comfortable and reliable. They are worn to the point that I just wear them around the house for yard work and so on. They must have 10,000 miles on them in the 8 years I've owned them and they still hug my feet.
 
siguy said:
on trails during spring, summer and fall i go barefoot. off trail, depending on what the terrain is like, i wear sandals or sneakers.

in the cold months i wear sneakers or some light boots.

i don't like wearing shoes...it feels cramped and hot and sweaty to me...a little bit like wearing gloves 24/7.

you posture doesn't get much better than when your comfort depends on it (you will quickly start walking more upright and start taking smaller steps. you also will tend to avoid heel striking, since it hurts)

it is also a benefit since my foot measures 13.5 ...which doesn't exist. so it's tricky finding shoes for me.

take a look at barefooting, you might like it.
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Dude! Here I thought that I was a freak. I too much prefer barefoot on trails. I usually wear home-made moccasins or home-made huaraches off trail, depending on the weather. Barefoot rocks. I run barefoot as well and it's the only way to fly.

Gordon
 
gordon, what material are your hauraches made from? i have been meaning to make some, and was thinking about ordering the kit from barefoot ted, couldn't think of anything that worked well around here...

i also like running barefoot :thumbup:
 
siguy said:
gordon, what material are your hauraches made from? i have been meaning to make some, and was thinking about ordering the kit from barefoot ted, couldn't think of anything that worked well around here...

i also like running barefoot :thumbup:
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I've made several pairs. I got some 0.1" crepe rubber off of Ebay. I glued the smooth sides together so that the foot bed was rough for good traction when wet. They work well, they're very flexible. I bought a couple of sheets of vibram climbing shoe rubber from a wholesaler through the local climbing gym. It was freaking expensive, but the rubber is tough and has great traction on rock. I made a pair out of the 5mm thick stuff with tread tape from Ace on the tops. They're really cushy, a bit heavy, but tough and good when it's wet. I made a pair from the 2.5mm stuff and glued a layer of suede leather to the top. They're great for hiking when it's dry, but the leather is like greased owl manure when it's wet. I just made a pair for my sister that have leather tops and crepe soles. They're really light and flexible. I've seen sheets of neoprene on Ebay but found the climbing shoe stuff before I tried it. I use Barge cement. I make sure that the surfaces are rough and clean and then park my truck on the glued parts overnight.

I also like Sigs.:thumbup:

Gordon
 
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