What's a good pair of hiking boots

[Kerouactivist]

I wear size 13 Wide shoes so it's always a pain finding deals on shoes....

Anyway can anybody reccomend a good hiking boot?

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: bthorny
I wear size 13 Wide shoes so it's always a pain finding deals on shoes....

Anyway can anybody reccomend a good hiking boot?

http://www.llbean.com/outdoorsOnline/outdoorSports/hiking/tips/choose_boots.html

 

[compuwiz1]

Take a look at Cabella's, also.

 

[xanis]

What kind of hiking are you doing? Light or heavy trails?

With that in mind, make sure you get something with the following criteria (in order of priority):

-Waterproof, go with GORTEX
-Good ankle support
-Light and comfortable

Also, like I said earlier, consider what type of hiking you will do. Low-cut is for light hiking, mid-cut is for medium trails and high-cut is for serious sh1t. But whatever you get, get something that is waterproof. I cannot stress that enough... having wet feet is the most miserable feeling ever.

 

[arcas]

I have a pair of Monotrail backpackers. I do not recommend them. I've had them out on the trails twice and there are already some frayed places.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: arcas
I have a pair of Monotrail backpackers. I do not recommend them. I've had them out on the trails twice and there are already some frayed places.

Eww... Monotrail? I've never even heard of them. Get a reputable brand like Columbia or LL Bean.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: arcas
I have a pair of Monotrail backpackers. I do not recommend them. I've had them out on the trails twice and there are already some frayed places.

Eww... Monotrail? I've never even heard of them. Get a reputable brand like Columbia or LL Bean.

Do you mean Montrail? I like my Montrails...

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: arcas
I have a pair of Monotrail backpackers. I do not recommend them. I've had them out on the trails twice and there are already some frayed places.

Eww... Monotrail? I've never even heard of them. Get a reputable brand like Columbia or LL Bean.

Do you mean Montrail? I like my Montrails...

I hope he meant Montrail, because I have heard of them at some point.

 

[xanis]

Also, Nike puts out some lightweight mid-top boots with GORTEX. They're not realy pretty to look at, but they're waterproof, light and comfortable.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

It depends on the type of hiking.

Backpacking with heavy loads? Get a full size boot.
Mountaineering? Get a crampon-compatible boot.
Ultralighting? All you really need is a trail runner.

I'm in the last category, and I find that having light shoes (and pack) makes life a whole lot more enjoyable. A lot of people like New Balances. As for wide, I know that Cabelas make wides and Montrails will fit wides, provided you go with half a size larger than normal.

As for Goretex, I wouldn't recommend it from my own personal experience. Goretex ALWAYS leaks for footwear that's used often (I've gone through 3 Goretex boots) because of the constant creasing in the same spot over and over again.

For waterproofing, you should either get a full leather boot, preferably without stitching, and treat it with water repellent for leather. Or buy yourself waterproof socks ONLY for the times you go hiking to minimize wear. Or you can go completely opposite and get a very light, very breathable, and very fast-drying shoe, so if your feet get wet they'll be dry again in a matter of hours.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Xanis
Also, Nike puts out some lightweight mid-top boots with GORTEX. They're not realy pretty to look at, but they're waterproof, light and comfortable.

I dunno dude, I have some Nike boots, and I just got back from a hike/climb with them...

Sure, they were fine on rocks or dirt, but heaven help you in snow, mud, sand, gravel, or dusty rocks, because they become as slippery as ice. I slipped on one rock coming down a steep slope, and managed to pull a complete downhill-facing front-flip and catch myself, back to the ground, on my hands and feet. Lucky me...if I hadn't gone all the way over, it would NOT have been pretty.

You might be talking about a different model, though. And I'll admit I was probably asking more out of them than the casual day hiking they're probably designed for.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: arcas
I have a pair of Monotrail backpackers. I do not recommend them. I've had them out on the trails twice and there are already some frayed places.

Eww... Monotrail? I've never even heard of them. Get a reputable brand like Columbia or LL Bean.

Do you mean Montrail? I like my Montrails...

Yeah, Montrails are excellent. It would be very surprising to me if he experienced such quick failure of a Montrail boot.

 

[xanis]

As fuzzybabybunny pointed out GORTEX can leak because of the creasing, though I can honestly say I've never experienced leakage to that degree with GORTEX boots. In all seriousness, if you want something comfortable, light and waterproof and in a 13 wide, you could always go get some tactical or military-grade boots with a side-zipper. You can get a pair of 6'' Bates Enforcers for about $75 at Dick's Sporting Goods.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: Xanis
As fuzzybabybunny pointed out GORTEX can leak because of the creasing, though I can honestly say I've never experienced leakage to that degree with GORTEX boots. In all seriousness, if you want something comfortable, light and waterproof and in a 13 wide, you could always go get some tactical or military-grade boots with a side-zipper. You can get a pair of 6'' Bates Enforcers for about $75 at Dick's Sporting Goods.

I wish my goretex stuff wouldn't leak

My current shoe, the Montrail Susitna with GoreTex XCR, is now leaking, although to be fair I wear it every single day. I also tend to submerge my feet, and Goretex, even a month-old boot, starts to get damp during submerges for me

First pair was a pair or Rocky boots. Those started leaking (not flooding, but getting damp) within a month. I wore them until I tore a hole in the side of one of them.

Second pair was a pair of Cabela Light Hikers. Those started to feel damp after submerging almost within a week.

Third is my current Montrail Susitna. I find that with periodic application of water repellent it performs better, although still sucky for wet hikes.

At this point I'm giving up on GTX for footwear. It's great when it works, but sucks when it doesn't work and the water tends to get trapped and it's not easy to dry. My next shoe is going to be a super light and fast-drying shoe, supplemented with waterproof socks when I anticipate a wet hike.

 

[arcas]

Sorry. Yes, Montrail.

I have the CTC Mid XCRs.

Link

It takes some time to get comfortable around the ankles but aside from that they're comfortable shoes. Very lightweight. The part that frustrates me is the suede (the light gray part just below the yellow shoestring loops in that pic). In retrospect, it seems to be a poor choice of material for a hiking/backpacking shoe.

 

[CVSiN]

I prefer US Military Surplus Jungle boots for hiking... totally waterproof... comfy.. and really good support..

can be found new for about 100 bucks (for the REAL ones) at any surplus store.

 

[Feldenak]

Vasque

 

[Spineshank]

I forget the name of the pair i just bought the other month but they are like top of the line. I got a good deal on em though and they are comfy as heck.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: CVSiN
I prefer US Military Surplus Jungle boots for hiking... totally waterproof... comfy.. and really good support..

can be found new for about 100 bucks (for the REAL ones) at any surplus store.

There's no one brand of "real" issue boots, and they vary considerably in design and manufacturing quality. I have owned many pairs of military boots over the years (mostly when I was in the military), but I haven't had any (including my comfy Bates desert boots) that I would consider good for hiking, because they tend to lack firm ankle support.

 

[Bulk Beef]

Merrell has a great product range.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: CVSiN
I prefer US Military Surplus Jungle boots for hiking... totally waterproof... comfy.. and really good support..

can be found new for about 100 bucks (for the REAL ones) at any surplus store.

There's no one brand of "real" issue boots, and they vary considerably in design and manufacturing quality. I have owned many pairs of military boots over the years (mostly when I was in the military), but I haven't had any (including my comfy Bates desert boots) that I would consider good for hiking, because they tend to lack firm ankle support.

Altama 4158 3LC Tan Desert Mil Spec Boot...

Altama has had the 100% contract for building Milspec boots for the last 15 years..
and they have more than enough support for rugged climbing hiking and marching..

they have more support than every other boot listed here..
I require a VERY supportive ankle in my day to day footware becasue I destroyed my ankle 5 years ago..
I have to wear boots in everything I do.. (including to work in an office instead of dress shoes) and these are some of the most supportive boots out there.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Altama 4158 3LC Tan Desert Mil Spec Boot...

Altama has had the 100% contract for building Milspec boots for the last 15 years..
and they have more than enough support for rugged climbing hiking and marching..

they have more support than every other boot listed here..
I require a VERY supportive ankle in my day to day footware becasue I destroyed my ankle 5 years ago..
I have to wear boots in everything I do.. (including to work in an office instead of dress shoes) and these are some of the most supportive boots out there.

Those may well be great boots - I have no idea - but Altama does not have "the 100% contract for building 'Milspec' boots." The federal government can't rely on one contractor to satisfy all its needs - if it did, Altama would be one of the largest, if not THE largest, shoe companies in the world. Federal procurement laws require using more than one vendor whenever possible, and I know when I have been issued boots (I was an officer and usually had to buy my uniform items, but when I was issued boots for real-world deployments) they were not Altamas, and my military service was from 1999 - 2005.

EDIT: In looking at the Altama boots you mentioned, there is no way they could offer as much support as proper hiking boots. Like most military boots, they are high but the entire ankle area is supported only by fabric. Proper hiking boots have much heavier ankle support. Military boots are more comfortable for daily wear IMO, but they are inferior for backpacking. As I said, though, I don't doubt the Altamas are nice, however.

 

[CVSiN]

Ok i did some digging and it appears you are correct different branches seem to use different providers...

but here is what I was able to dig up on Altama..
and every pair of issue desert/jungle boots ive ever been issued where Altamas..

For 35 consecutive years, ALTAMA has been a prime contractor to the United States Department of Defense, supplying a wide range of military specification (Mil-Spec) footwear to thousands of military personnel worldwide. ALTAMA proudly enjoys being the most recognized name in military footwear.

ALTAMA markets and distributes its products to federal, state and local agencies, military schools and ROTC programs; police and Special Forces; uniform and Army/Navy retailers. ALTAMAs boots can also be found on the feet of consumers whose needs call for high-quality, durable and comfortable footwear- from canoeists and hikers to service workers standing on a factory floor all day.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: CVSiN
Ok i did some digging and it appears you are correct different branches seem to use different providers...

but here is what I was able to dig up on Altama..
and every pair of issue desert/jungle boots ive ever been issued where Altamas..

For 35 consecutive years, ALTAMA has been a prime contractor to the United States Department of Defense, supplying a wide range of military specification (Mil-Spec) footwear to thousands of military personnel worldwide. ALTAMA proudly enjoys being the most recognized name in military footwear.

ALTAMA markets and distributes its products to federal, state and local agencies, military schools and ROTC programs; police and Special Forces; uniform and Army/Navy retailers. ALTAMAs boots can also be found on the feet of consumers whose needs call for high-quality, durable and comfortable footwear- from canoeists and hikers to service workers standing on a factory floor all day.

Just to be clear, no branch exclusively uses Altama - again, procurement rules prohibit exclusive contracts for such routine items. Corcoran, Bates, and other companies are also routinely issued in all the services.

It's funny - I have had military boots from at least 4 manufacturers, and it was startling just how different some brands were from others, even where they appeared to be identical in design. There are a lot of companies making visually indistinguishable Vietnam desert boots, but some are great and some are crap.

 

[walkur]

Got some the new balance shoes for the light stuff.

For the Heavy stuff I have a full leather boot (as seamless as possible)
I wore the soles out because I used them everyday at some point, but these were designed so you could replaced the sole.
When you DO find a good pair please maintain them properly as it will lenghten it's life by years and chances are you won't find a good boot again for a while...