OT: Hiking boots/shoes
- Thread starter RivaDawg
- Start date
Danner - Danner - Men's Hiking Boots
Danner boots are a mark of superior craftsmanship, Our hiking, hunting, work, military, and law enforcement boots are built with GORE-TEX waterproof liners, durable Vibram outsoles, and full-grain leather.
Go somewhere where you can try on several brands. Need a nice roomy toe box.
For boots, I have only bought Vasque the last 20 years and love them. I'm about to get some new ones myself. I do a 5-6 day annual backpack trip so I get get good miles out of them.
Merril makes really good shoes, the moab model is good.
I also just got some Altra shoes for daily use. They aren't as durable as merrills but so far so good.
Merril makes really good shoes, the moab model is good.
I also just got some Altra shoes for daily use. They aren't as durable as merrills but so far so good.
CRISPI® | Hunting & Work Boots | Crispi USA
Crispi Hunting Boots are built in Italy and use the finest materials and construction available. Durability, comfort, and performance is what sets Crispi apart.
Such an intensely personal choice. Find the nearest REI and make the effort to go and try on multiple options. I find that folks working at REI are hikers/backpackers with good experience and common sense and they will offer good assistance. Too many variables for a random message board response
Go to an outdoor store and try on several pair. Altra Lone Peak and On Cloud Cloudsurfer Trail are my favorites. Just pick one with GoreTex and you’ll be good.
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I've had several Merrill's that I like.
Lately I've preferred a wider toe box and smaller heel drop. I'm currently on a pair of Lems that I love. I think they've helped my plantar fasciitis. Be advised that they don't have much cushioning. I'm good with that on trails, but your preferences may differ.
Altras would be worth looking at as well. They'll also have low heel drops and wide toe boxes, but with more cushioning. My current running shoes are Altras, and they're great on hard surfaces. They have hiking shoe models as well.
Lately I've preferred a wider toe box and smaller heel drop. I'm currently on a pair of Lems that I love. I think they've helped my plantar fasciitis. Be advised that they don't have much cushioning. I'm good with that on trails, but your preferences may differ.
Altras would be worth looking at as well. They'll also have low heel drops and wide toe boxes, but with more cushioning. My current running shoes are Altras, and they're great on hard surfaces. They have hiking shoe models as well.
I agree with all above....but I will say, in my older years, I have started running (I am very slow), and with the mileage I have been putting in weekly now for the past 6 months.....my feet have kinda changed. So, I have found I do not need as great a drop for my running shoe.
Now, the "TOPO" brand.....I have some that I bought for trail running, and I put an insert in, and I use them in the neighborhood, and work, and I "RUCK" in them. Wide toe box, and have been really impressive. they have just enough tread for trail running and hiking and I love them.
For a long time, I wore hiking boots, and today, I am not convinced that they did not weaken my foot and ankle......but that is anecdotal at best and my opinion.......but since I love RUCKING, I am looking at the performance boots (think what special forces (seal / ranger) wear).
I like to keep everything as light as possible, even when hiking and rucking......so my 2 cents, I love my topo's around the neighborhood and on short trail excursions w/ 30/35lbs or less.........I have not set on anything as far as a performance boot yet, and my interest is for endurance rucks of 12 hours or more where I know I will go over 30 miles..............and frankly, if walking the neighborhood, go get sized at fleet feet and tell them you want a good walking shoe......they are worth the money and their knowledge base to fit you.
Now, the "TOPO" brand.....I have some that I bought for trail running, and I put an insert in, and I use them in the neighborhood, and work, and I "RUCK" in them. Wide toe box, and have been really impressive. they have just enough tread for trail running and hiking and I love them.
For a long time, I wore hiking boots, and today, I am not convinced that they did not weaken my foot and ankle......but that is anecdotal at best and my opinion.......but since I love RUCKING, I am looking at the performance boots (think what special forces (seal / ranger) wear).
I like to keep everything as light as possible, even when hiking and rucking......so my 2 cents, I love my topo's around the neighborhood and on short trail excursions w/ 30/35lbs or less.........I have not set on anything as far as a performance boot yet, and my interest is for endurance rucks of 12 hours or more where I know I will go over 30 miles..............and frankly, if walking the neighborhood, go get sized at fleet feet and tell them you want a good walking shoe......they are worth the money and their knowledge base to fit you.
As y’all know, I go to a lot of shows.
When U2 & Beck played the Superdome in ‘17, I was in the GA Pit section and on my feet for around six hours. I was wearing kicks.
After the show, my feet were really sore, and I limped back to my hotel.
Since then, I’ve valued foot and ankle support and primarily wear Timberlands when I know I’m standing for a long time.
When I was at Tuesday night’s Johnny Blue Skies show at Lakefront, I was on my feet for five hours with all but around thirty minutes being in the GA Pit section.
The show was awesome.
Afterwards, my feet were good, but thank goodness for the heated seats in my CR-V. My back needed that help when driving back from New Orleans Wednesday morning…
When U2 & Beck played the Superdome in ‘17, I was in the GA Pit section and on my feet for around six hours. I was wearing kicks.
After the show, my feet were really sore, and I limped back to my hotel.
Since then, I’ve valued foot and ankle support and primarily wear Timberlands when I know I’m standing for a long time.
When I was at Tuesday night’s Johnny Blue Skies show at Lakefront, I was on my feet for five hours with all but around thirty minutes being in the GA Pit section.
The show was awesome.
Afterwards, my feet were good, but thank goodness for the heated seats in my CR-V. My back needed that help when driving back from New Orleans Wednesday morning…
I have a pair of Altra shoes that are great. Their thing is a wide toe box and it really helps. I also have a pair of ankle height Salomon hiking boots that are hands down the best walking hunting boots I’ve ever owned. They’re waterproof, lightweight, and comfortable. Leaving tomorrow going to South Dakota pheasant hunting and they will get a good workout.
I think it's true. I used to have narrow feet, but no longer. Your foot sort of collapses with age. In other words, you develop flat feet. I use special made-to-fit orthotics in my shoes.
Been wearing Merrills a long time. I got some that are waterproof when we went to Ireland a month ago. Vrry sturdy and lightseight.
This is great advice. Also get a light duty comfortable boot over a heavy duty one unless you’re really going to do some hard core hiking. Made that mistake. Great boots but I almost never wore them. These lighter weight boots I wear often, sometimes as just everyday shoes.
Another vote for Merrell. I would also try Hoka. Arc'teryx is also worth trying on.
I agree you need to try them because everyone is different.
I agree you need to try them because everyone is different.
What he said. But if in the Jackson area Buffalo Peak is probably your best bet. Also, the surface(s) you’ll be hiking on matters with your choice. The first time I hiked Half Dome I used Altras but slipped a few times which stressed my heart more than I wanted. The second time I used Hoka Speedgoats with no slipping.
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Have owned only one pair of vasque in the last 20 years.
Work boots is a different thing, and I've bounce all over the place with steel toe stuff.
Spent the better part of my working life on a concrete floor. Tried them all I think. Red Wings were the worst expensive boot for me. They just didn’t fit my foot. I finally found a pair of Rocky boots that were intended for cops, not work wear. Best boots I ever had. I’d buy 2-3 pair at a time in fear of them discontinuing them which they eventually did.
I wear Merrill hiking shoes every day at work except for when it’s nasty muddy and then I wear my water proof wellingtons.
The soles hold up to a lot of punishment and are comfortable.
The soles hold up to a lot of punishment and are comfortable.
Red Wing boots are the most over rated boots out there for the money you spend.
Lem's Trailhead shoes
I have these as an alternative to Altra. They are near zero drop with a wide toe box. The Trail Blazer shoes have a bigger toe box if you have really wide feet or want more room. I've been doing 3 miles, twice per week for about 3 months with them and they are still like new. Dirt falls right off and they clean up so easy. Really tough, but lightweight and flexible. Since I've gone to a zero drop, barefoot style shoe, my plantar fasciitis completely went away. My ankles and calves got stronger too. I wear cowboy boots a lot, and these shoes completely retrained my feet in a good way. I can't recommend them more for hiking. I also have a pair of Keen hiking boots that are waterproof when I need something warmer and may need a hightop. They also have a wide toebox.
I have these as an alternative to Altra. They are near zero drop with a wide toe box. The Trail Blazer shoes have a bigger toe box if you have really wide feet or want more room. I've been doing 3 miles, twice per week for about 3 months with them and they are still like new. Dirt falls right off and they clean up so easy. Really tough, but lightweight and flexible. Since I've gone to a zero drop, barefoot style shoe, my plantar fasciitis completely went away. My ankles and calves got stronger too. I wear cowboy boots a lot, and these shoes completely retrained my feet in a good way. I can't recommend them more for hiking. I also have a pair of Keen hiking boots that are waterproof when I need something warmer and may need a hightop. They also have a wide toebox.
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For hiking I use the Merrill Moab and for my leather hunting boots I use the Crispi Nevada GTX. Merrill and Crispi are two of the few brands that offer half sizes in the larger sizes. A size 12 is a little snug but 12.5 fits great. Most companies don’t offer half sizes above 12. Lowa also has some excellent leather hunting boots but doesn’t have the large half size's.
I’m currently rocking the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid. They held up very well for 45 miles of hiking I did over about 5 days a few months ago. Have probably 70-80 miles in them now and still feel great.
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