Who makes a good hiking/walking boot?

[monkeydelmagico]

Haha, well, I don't know anyone who walks 15-18 miles a week, every week, but I am sure there are people out there who make that look like a trot out to the mailbox. In the last year I've walked about 500 miles. Seems like a lot to me. In any case, the main point was that I don't buy hiking boots to wear to the movies. I need them to actually be comfortable.

Oh, and it was 10F last night. This bulk beef alternator walked two miles. How far did you walk?

About 6 miles per day. 1 going to work, 2 at lunch, 3 going home (take long way). Weekends vary from none to alot more. It's all relative though.

Are you ordering via mail then trying them out? If so, it may take a while before you find something that feels good. You might want to go to the stores and try some on. The gas money will be worth it to save alot of time. Take, for instance, the many +1 for Merrill boots/shoes. They work great for alot of folks but I can't wear them. Too wide and fit my feet funny. It took several hours at the REI store to figure out that Vasque works way better for me. If I'd have been doing mail order I would have spent months figuring it out, or maybe settled for boots that don't fit so well because I have nothing comfortable to compare to.

 

[Gooberlx2]

The best part about REI is you can take your new boots out on the trail for a weekend, discover that they have hot spots or rub weird, and still exchange those now dirty and broken in boots for something else. REI is awesome.

 

[Markbnj]

I know you dislike LL Bean so far but have you tried these boots?
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/1477...re-tex-cresta-hikers-leather&attrValue_0=Dark Brown&productId=20674

Bought them for a recent hiking trip through the redwoods. farthest distance walked in them was around 10-12 miles. You might blaze more than that on the weekends. They were very comfortable. A little heavy though compared to synthetics. But you mentioned you like leather and so do I.

also like Merrell like other posts have mentioned.

I was shopping around $100 below that price point, but I understand you do get what you pay for. Anyway, I think I'm unlikely to try it online again. The fit is too critical. We have a Cabellas not far from here, so I think that will be the next place I try.

 

[Markbnj]

The best part about REI is you can take your new boots out on the trail for a weekend, discover that they have hot spots or rub weird, and still exchange those now dirty and broken in boots for something else. REI is awesome.

That _is_ pretty awesome.

 

[bigi]

Asolo Mantra - very comfy

and Scarpa, but you have to be careful with sizing.

 

[mztykal]

I use Merrells...

 

[Sheep]

Another vote for Merrell. I haven't found another manufacturer's hiking footwear that are as comfortable and durable...even went hiking in Alaska without breaking in a pair first.

 

[Markbnj]

Merrell does seem to be getting the bulk of the votes here. I really like the look of these, and these, and the price will do. I like these even better, but not sure I'm ready to go $200.

 

[smackababy]

I don't know how good they are, but I can tell you I did an incredible amount of walking in the Nike Field Special boot. It fit better than the traditional boot I was issued, and it was a lot more comfortable.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Merrell, Vasque and Ahnu would be my choices, just going by brand.
But as others have said it is your individual comfort in each shoe, find the one that fits you best at REI.

 

[onza]

Keen or Oboz

Hardcore hiker here.

EDIT: comments about merrill - I find them to mainstream and not as high quality. Just my .02c

 

[NetWareHead]

One more Italian boot maker that comes to mind besides Scarpa and and la Sportiva is Asolo. Asolo boots are very good and respected gear.

I'll also add to the suggestion that you go to REI. Great store and they don't carry crappy brands.

 

[*kjm]

I like Irish Setter boots from RedWing.....

http://hunt.irishsetterboots.com/all-season

I have been using their hunting boots and hikers for a couple of years now and like them a lot.

 

[mikeford]

All that matters are your feet and what sort of surfaces you are walking on, and some consideration if you live in a temperature extreme area.

If you are hard to fit, B&M is the only real option short of major $$$.

 

[Franz316]

The best part about REI is you can take your new boots out on the trail for a weekend, discover that they have hot spots or rub weird, and still exchange those now dirty and broken in boots for something else. REI is awesome.

Yeah REI is pretty awesome with that policy. If you are going to drop $300 on a pair of really nice hiking boots, it is nice to know it exists. In general, I can't really recommend shopping anywhere else for outdoors stuff. They are more expensive but everything is high quality.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Merrell does seem to be getting the bulk of the votes here. I really like the look of these, and these, and the price will do. I like these even better, but not sure I'm ready to go $200.

You want an ankle-high boot for your two mile evening walks? That's OK, I guess, if you anticipate a few inches of snow. For summer hiking without a load, it just adds weight to your feet. Not a bad idea if you have weak ankles or will be carrying a load, but most people will be fine with low top hiking shoes.

Pay attention to the weight of the boots. A few ounces makes a lot of difference on a long hike. The last boot is a genuine backpacking boot, suitable for carrying 60lb loads over rocky terrain. The other two are casual shoes more suitable to shoveling the sidewalk or walking through the rain to the office. The difference in weight between the three is substantial.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Go to REI, get them to help you ... I love my Merrill's.

I personally hike with ankle high shoes for hiking, and can carry a 60-70lbs pack without a problem ... but my ankles are in good shape I guess.

Shit, I stupidly hiked with my pack in some flip flops once ... felt fine, LOL.

 

[Ophir]

Waterproofing is pretty variable, IME. The boots that do it well are usually a good bit more expensive. And for people like me, cursed with swamp feet, waterproofing just makes the compromised ventilation that much more miserable in warm weather. As you say, get what's right for you.

That's fair, but I would not automatically discount any waterproof shoe solely based on the fact that it is waterproof.

 

[Ophir]

Haha, well, I don't know anyone who walks 15-18 miles a week, every week, but I am sure there are people out there who make that look like a trot out to the mailbox. In the last year I've walked about 500 miles. Seems like a lot to me. In any case, the main point was that I don't buy hiking boots to wear to the movies. I need them to actually be comfortable.

Oh, and it was 10F last night. This bulk beef alternator walked two miles. How far did you walk?

Ok, I was being a little facetious. I live in San Diego, so a 10F scenario would be a cataclysmic event - congrats anyway, though. Since you asked, according to fitbit, I have walked 285,322 steps, or 138.34miles, since December 1st - about 3.6 miles/day. I consider myself to be fairly sedentary and those number include the holidays where I was really sedentary. All of my shoes are properly fitted and none of them give me any problems. I take my footwear seriously.

My point was that 2 miles is not very much at all, and if your shoes give you any trouble for that, then your shoes fit terribly and it behooves you to find a proper fit. Go to REI. Splurge an extra $40. You won't regret it, and if you do you can always return them no questions asked.

 

[Markbnj]

My point was that 2 miles is not very much at all, and if your shoes give you any trouble for that, then your shoes fit terribly and it behooves you to find a proper fit.

Well, I can tell you two miles is enough to find out how bad a bad pair of boots is.

 

[Markbnj]

You want an ankle-high boot for your two mile evening walks? That's OK, I guess, if you anticipate a few inches of snow.

I will also use them in the woods on weekends, and yes, I am quite often walking on snow, ice, slush, and all of the former mixed with road salt. In the summer I wear a much lighter show for these walks, but I still prefer ankle-high boots in the woods for various reasons.

 

[onza]

O yeah!? My shew is better than your shew.

 

[etrigan420]

http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/12465M/28972/Mens/Moab-GORE-TEX?dimensions=0

er'ry day.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Merrell does seem to be getting the bulk of the votes here. I really like the look of these, and these, and the price will do. I like these even better, but not sure I'm ready to go $200.

Get the Himavat's. The Mattertal weighs a metric shit-ton.

Also another vote for REI: they're my Amazon-backup. A glorious place/site.

 

[Imported]

I just use the trail version of my running shoes when I go on a hike (ASICS GT2000 / GT2000 Trail). They've held up fine so far.