*Your BOOTS*

TreeChopper said:
newknife said:
I just bought a pair of Zamberlan Vioz that I'm still breaking in. Very solid boot.

Zamberlan Vioz:
http://www.zamberlanstore.com/productpages/996_vioz.html

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: +1 I put up a link to these boots earlier in the thread. I love them... comfortable, not heavy IMO, waterproof, roomy toebox and narrower in the heel, easy to break in, great warranty and customer service--I've used it. They replaced my Asolo FSN 99 boots.

The Zamberlan Skill GT boots are right behind the Vioz in comfort. They are cut lower and the upper is one piece of leather that wraps nicely around the foot. Same roomy toebox and secure heel, less aggressive tread, a bit less cushion.
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I'm still up in the air about them. The craftmanship is amazing. Like I said though I'm till trying to break them in. I've been hiking about 2.5 miles a few times a week up a 200 foot rock formation. Usually I carry about 50 lbs. So far I've been getting some blisters on my right foot. I'm not sure if it's because the boots are new or if I need new socks or a different sole insert. I don't have any wool socks but am planning on getting some thicker wools socks here in a couple days. Hoping that will make the difference.

So..are blisters from a full grain leather boot normal as you break it in? I was always under the impression that it was normal for a period of time. However I see other say that if you're getting blisters the boot is a wrong fit or something. What do you guys think?

With my Oboz Yellowstone II boots I got a small blister as I was breaking them in but now they are really comfortable and are just fine. They are also a softer boot with more felxibility than the Zamberlan Vioz's.
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I was impressed by my redwing work boots so I got a pair w/o steel toe for hiking. Work great for me, just had to get past the name being a Penguin fan(nhl). Lol. Around $120 but I've had work boots for 2yrs this go 'round and hikers for almost 4 now.
 
ratamahatta said:
Asolo Sasslong, best hikin boots I've had so far!!!!!
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http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,83043_Asolo-Sasslong-Gore-Tex-Backpacking-Boots-For-Men.html

after looking at these, these might be perfect for me in colder weather. for the price, it maybe worth it for me to purchase them. i normally do not spend this much on a pair of boots period.. usually its 100 bucks max

however i am not sure if i have medium feet or wide feet. i measured standing up the width from the left to the right of the widest part of my foot and its 4-4.5 inches (basically from left big to knuckle to pinky to knuckle). to me that may seem medium?? my shoe size is usually 11.5 - 12. i have long skinny feet (flat footed).. my arches collapsed when i was younger. played a lot of sports. happend to my grandfather when he was in the army..
 
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I've gotten good mileage out of my all leather Gortex Vasque Sundowner. Only downside is they are a little heavy & a little hot.

GregB
 
Right now I have Oboz Firebrand shoes.

Basically I want the lightest thing I can wear on my feet that still has enough padding on the sole, because I hike a lot of rocky.

I also have some leather hikers but I just save them for snow or short trips because they are HEAVY.

I have a 2 mile hiking trail I've made thru my woods I hike on a regular basis and it's amazing how much easier it is to do it with lightweight hiking shoes over thick soled leather boots.
 
hollowdweller said:
Right now I have Oboz Firebrand shoes.

Basically I want the lightest thing I can wear on my feet that still has enough padding on the sole, because I hike a lot of rocky.

I also have some leather hikers but I just save them for snow or short trips because they are HEAVY.

I have a 2 mile hiking trail I've made thru my woods I hike on a regular basis and it's amazing how much easier it is to do it with lightweight hiking shoes over thick soled leather boots.
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yeah up in those hills light weight is great as long as you are not carrying a heavy pack or what not.. if you are, you should go with a heavier boot.. used to spend some time up in the hills of NC. love it
 
hollowdweller said:
Right now I have Oboz Firebrand shoes.

Basically I want the lightest thing I can wear on my feet that still has enough padding on the sole, because I hike a lot of rocky.

I also have some leather hikers but I just save them for snow or short trips because they are HEAVY.

I have a 2 mile hiking trail I've made thru my woods I hike on a regular basis and it's amazing how much easier it is to do it with lightweight hiking shoes over thick soled leather boots.
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I'm coming to the same conclusion. I'm thinking sometimes the heavy leather boots are overkill for a lot of hiking. If you like the Firebrand shoes you should try the Oboz Yellowstone II. They are lightweight, provide good ankle support and will keep your feet dry. I hiked 5 miles in the rain the other day and my feet were bone dry.
 
hung-solo said:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,83043_Asolo-Sasslong-Gore-Tex-Backpacking-Boots-For-Men.html

after looking at these, these might be perfect for me in colder weather. for the price, it maybe worth it for me to purchase them. i normally do not spend this much on a pair of boots period.. usually its 100 bucks max

however i am not sure if i have medium feet or wide feet. i measured standing up the width from the left to the right of the widest part of my foot and its 4-4.5 inches (basically from left big to knuckle to pinky to knuckle). to me that may seem medium?? my shoe size is usually 11.5 - 12. i have long skinny feet (flat footed).. my arches collapsed when i was younger. played a lot of sports. happend to my grandfather when he was in the army..
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I have very wide feet-I purchased the standard sized Asolo Echos and they were plenty big. Great, exceptionally durable and form fitted uppers, but the big clunky vibram soles feel like I'm walking on bricks. If you do alot of boulder surfing, this is the boot for you, though don't expect 100% comfort when hoofing it long distances. I'm wearing em today around campus, though I have some new kickers on the way so I doubt these things will see much use for anything but the trail. The Goretex models are not waterproof-you stand in a 4 inch puddle and they will be swamped.
 
PayetteRucker said:
I have very wide feet-I purchased the standard sized Asolo Echos and they were plenty big. Great, exceptionally durable and form fitted uppers, but the big clunky vibram soles feel like I'm walking on bricks. If you do alot of boulder surfing, this is the boot for you, though don't expect 100% comfort when hoofing it long distances. I'm wearing em today around campus, though I have some new kickers on the way so I doubt these things will see much use for anything but the trail. The Goretex models are not waterproof-you stand in a 4 inch puddle and they will be swamped.
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thanks rucker. so even the ones i have listed are not waterproof (even though they say it??).. if so that sucks.. these are not cheap boots.
 
Aint believing no one has mentioned these so far...I love how they feel

Doc Marten 1460's
6220-376950-p.jpg


they have a new thing "Doc's for life" were they will rebuild your shoes, for as long as you live Oughta check em out!

Jason
 
JasonSCarter said:
Aint believing no one has mentioned these so far...I love how they feel

Doc Marten 1460's
6220-376950-p.jpg


they have a new thing "Doc's for life" were they will rebuild your shoes, for as long as you live Oughta check em out!

Jason
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ill be honest i had a pair for years and they were the most uncomfortable boots i have ever worn.. ill never own another pair.. they looked good though. i had to double up socks bc just wearing leather sucked for me..
 
hung-solo said:
thanks rucker. so even the ones i have listed are not waterproof (even though they say it??).. if so that sucks.. these are not cheap boots.
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Yep, they sure are, I think these costed 140 bucks. They do dry out quickly, which, for a desert boot, is really nice, and to be honest as dry as it is here I like getting my feet wet on the trail-helps with temperature regulation. But if I lived in the south or on the coast where it's muggy all the time there's no way in heck I would have kept them. I'd have boxed em up and sent em straight back. The biggest thing these things have going for them are bombproof durability and aesthetically pleasing design. They look good with just about everything I wear... I'm definitely in No Man's Land on this product from Asolo.
 
PayetteRucker said:
Yep, they sure are, I think these costed 140 bucks. They do dry out quickly, which, for a desert boot, is really nice, and to be honest as dry as it is here I like getting my feet wet on the trail-helps with temperature regulation. But if I lived in the south or on the coast where it's muggy all the time there's no way in heck I would have kept them. I'd have boxed em up and sent em straight back. The biggest thing these things have going for them are bombproof durability and aesthetically pleasing design. They look good with just about everything I wear... I'm definitely in No Man's Land on this product from Asolo.
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i am aiming for the sass's from Asolo.. they would seem to be more water proof.. those boots i would use in cooler weather hiking/ hunting. i have 2 other boots one Rocky Bear claws and they are just damn heavy. they are comfy and mostly waterproof but again its like carrying stones on your feet. also they are falling apart already.. the soles need to be re-glued.. this seems to be the main issue i have with shoes is the glue..
 
The best experience I've had with boots was my 60 dollar converse assault boots, which lasted three years of both hard duty use and backpacking. The soles were what killed them, finally... there's no way that would happen on these Asolos, though they won't see the use I gave the Converses. These Echos are pretty darned heavy too... there seems to be a huge rift in the footwear industry right now. There's no good trail hikers anymore-they're either armageddon dungkickers or they're all mesh uppers with superlight foam glued to an eighth inch tread that fall apart in two months of regular use. There's nothing in between anymore...
 
hung-solo said:
ill be honest i had a pair for years and they were the most uncomfortable boots i have ever worn.. ill never own another pair.. they looked good though. i had to double up socks bc just wearing leather sucked for me..
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Sounds like you had a bad fit. Did you mail-order them? And you still had them for years?
I had a pair and they were forgettable (which is a good thing for boots when you forget you're wearing them.)

I'm partial to New Balance myself.
 
I have had glue problems as well. I was so disappointed in my last pair of sundowners that I swore off glued together shoes.

So far I have not really found what I want. One thing I have learned "almost" is at least get yourself into the store and try on the boots you're gonna buy.

I bought 2 pairs of true moccasin style boots on ebay, both in like new condition. One is Russell Moccasin. Purchased correctly-providing them measurements and tracings of your feet they are not cheap but they are well made with many models and options. I bought these knowing they'd be oversize but i thought to put felt liners in them for winter wear. In the end i wore extra socks. The soft soles these came with are worn out now. Hopefully something can be done to adjust the fit when I send them in for vibram resoles.

The other pair are pre-orvis gokey botte sauvage and snake proof. Having these I have a really good idea what Nessmuk was talking about when he derides the knee-high boot wearing, long handled iron skillet packing tourist. the pair weigh 6 (six) pounds. yes six.

Loose the heavy gro-cord soles for a lighter vibram and 10-12 inches of top and I do not think you could find a better boot. So these too need to be redone somehow to make them suitable for my use. At least Nessmuk had a cordwainer he could go to to make his boots for him. When we gave up that trade for cheap mass production we lost a great deal. Before I found this type of boot I would likely have said scarpa was the best boot I've worn; had some asolo's light technical boots before, like vasque sundowners for general purpose

If I had my priorities straight I might be able to lay down a few weeks wages for the MacRosties to make exactly what I want. Just now revisiting their website it looks like prices have gone up and they will be retiring. My intention was to ask what they could do to rework these....now? maybe on to barefootin'

thanks for listening. Just thought I'd lay down some thoughts on the subject seeing this thread and today having thoughts of swearing back on those glue shoes as they are cheap and ready to wear out of the box, I appreciate hearing what works for you
 
anyone happen to the know the measurement difference in medium/standard feet and wide feet?
 
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