Best Boot for the Desert?

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I have finally given up on expensive boots, the sharp rocks in the desert destroy any boot, no matter how much you pay. I'm lucky to get three seasons out of a pair. Two is more common.

For the past couple of pairs of boots I have gone with Timberland. The ones with Active Comfort Technology, I know, kind of a cheesy marketing tag but the technology actually seems to work. They breath well enough to keep your feet from sweating, are waterproof enough to take a quick dunk*, warm enough for everything except the coldest days, and cheap enough to replace every couple of seasons. The main thing is they fit ME well. Most people need to try a few manufacturers before they find one who makes boots that fit thier feet.



*With a good application of mink oil.
 
Solid leather, no mesh/fabric. Prevents the prickly things from getting you.

Avoid gore-tex lined if you hike in high temperatures. They don't breath very well and get hot.


La Sportiva Makalu (3/4 steel insert) or Glaciers (1/2 steel insert). I swear by these. Minimal stitching and very durable uppers. I can use crampons when necessary. I epoxied all exposed seams while the boots were clean. I am a field geologist and get about two seasons on the soles (David Page Cobbler in Seattle for resoles). On the current pair (5 years), I have >500 work days of no trails working in the desert US west and Tibet. I have had the toe box enlarged, but other than that I love them.

Ross
 
rusty_tlc said:
I have finally given up on expensive boots, the sharp rocks in the desert destroy any boot, no matter how much you pay. I'm lucky to get three seasons out of a pair. Two is more common.
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Very true... Even the spendy boots can fall apart after just a few hikes :frown:

I have, however, had good luck with my Vasque hi-tops...They have held up to the toughest trails and nastiest surfaces I can throw at them :)

Depending on terrain, I would look for a full leather reinforced-stitched boot with a denser rubber/composite for the tread... I seem to wear out my treads quite fast on the harsh desert rock/surfaces .
:confused:
 
Awesome info guys. Rusty, I hear ya' on Timberland..have had real good luck with that brand in the past.

It seems like most of what I've been looking around at have the real high price tag:frown: and know from experience not to be lured by that thinking I'm getting the best for the job.

I'll check on that brand GeoRoss and do a search...same with the LA Police.

Thinkin' solid leather for sure, problem is everything available around here has gortex or is camoflauge in color:eek:
 
One other thing to add...the best boot I have ever worn is the Danner Fort Lewis. It is not light, although I see they do now make a light version. It is a real boot though...not what is commonly sold as a hiking shoe.

The entire Danner line has been great for me, hunting boots, etc. Spendy, but nothing worse than having on bad fitting shoes / boots when you are out in the middle of nowhere.
 
i have always liked a good lightweight hiker. for general walking and exploring in the desert. i find the heavier leather boots to be the best for heavy backpacking but my feet really get to sweating. i have been buying hi-tecs pretty much as a standard forever.
 
straightblast said:
One other thing to add...the best boot I have ever worn is the Danner Fort Lewis. It is not light, although I see they do now make a light version. It is a real boot though...not what is commonly sold as a hiking shoe.

The entire Danner line has been great for me, hunting boots, etc. Spendy, but nothing worse than having on bad fitting shoes / boots when you are out in the middle of nowhere.
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Danner x2
 
Excellent suggestions guys...some of the those boots are way out of my price range although they look to be top notch.

Narrowed it down to these.

Cabelas Roo Hide boot super light weight and durable 120.00

i812112sq06.jpg


and the LA Police Gear 89 bucks

conversedesert.jpg
 
My only comment is that you want to find something with as few seams as possible. Toe tips and seams are usually the weak points in uppers. Don't be afraid to lay a bead of two part epoxy to the seams. It may look bad, but your uppers will last alot longer in abrasive conditions. No mesh, great for ventilation, but bad for stickers. If you don't plan on using them alot, lower price is better.


JuttyShabango said:
Excellent suggestions guys...some of the those boots are way out of my price range although they look to be top notch.

Narrowed it down to these.

Cabelas Roo Hide boot super light weight and durable 120.00

i812112sq06.jpg


and the LA Police Gear 89 bucks

conversedesert.jpg
Click to expand...
 
JuttyShabango said:
Excellent suggestions guys...some of the those boots are way out of my price range although they look to be top notch.

Narrowed it down to these.

Cabelas Roo Hide boot super light weight and durable 120.00

i812112sq06.jpg


and the LA Police Gear 89 bucks

conversedesert.jpg
Click to expand...

Any particular reason you want a high top?
 
rusty_tlc said:
Any particular reason you want a high top?
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Dan,

I'm gonna use these at Cruise Moab and Baja and although should be in my truck most of the time, just hoping that the high top will offer some ankle support around rocks and some extra protection from mesquite or whatever is growin. Remember walkin around at Globe, AZ during W.E.Rock and getting all tore up from the knee down with tennis shoes.

Boot I liked the most was GeoRoss's suggestion but price is inhibitive for that right now. Hopefully a good boot and a pair of sport sandles will be all I need.

You live and wheel in the desert right? Should I be considering lower?
 
There are a several Mids out there that give (virtually) the same ankle support as High-tops, the real advantage of a Mid or a low is less weight and more articulation ( its a lot easier to drive a vehicle in a mid/low too ! )

I guess that shoe weight, trail type and your own personal ankle roll/injury likeliness should weigh the final shoe choice. :)

For Me, I usually hike in tall-Mids or Highs to give the support I need to carry a fairly large pack and off-trail I have a bit more protection from low-lying cactus and ankle-biting vermon (aka snakes)....Yeah, plus I`ve already rolled an ankle BAD with a loosley-tied Mid so I am a bit more paranoid about re-injury now. :(


Peace and happy hiking !!
 
JuttyShabango said:
Dan,

I'm gonna use these at Cruise Moab and Baja and although should be in my truck most of the time, just hoping that the high top will offer some ankle support around rocks and some extra protection from mesquite or whatever is growin. Remember walkin around at Globe, AZ during W.E.Rock and getting all tore up from the knee down with tennis shoes.

Boot I liked the most was GeoRoss's suggestion but price is inhibitive for that right now. Hopefully a good boot and a pair of sport sandles will be all I need.

You live and wheel in the desert right? Should I be considering lower?
Click to expand...

I've lived in the desert most of my life. Except for when I was working I always went for ankle high boots. Probably more personel preference than anything else. I wear shorts most of the time in the summer, to me high tops look kind of funkey with shorts.

These are the kind I have now, but I always get a similar style. I wear kne high tube socks and roll them down to keep stuff from getting inside the boot. They list on Timberland for $110 but I got mine at Sportsmans Warehouse for around $80. I think I got the pair before this at Shopko or someplace like that.
pTBL-2048408v250.webp
 
SINCITY100 said:
There are a several Mids out there that give (virtually) the same ankle support as High-tops, the real advantage of a Mid or a low is less weight and more articulation ( its a lot easier to drive a vehicle in a mid/low too ! )

I guess that shoe weight, trail type and your own personal ankle roll/injury likeliness should weigh the final shoe choice. :)

For Me, I usually hike in tall-Mids or Highs to give the support I need to carry a fairly large pack and off-trail I have a bit more protection from low-lying cactus and ankle-biting vermon (aka snakes)....Yeah, plus I`ve already rolled an ankle BAD with a loosley-tied Mid so I am a bit more paranoid about re-injury now. :(


Peace and happy hiking !!
Click to expand...
Good point.

If you are really worried about snakes, get some snake proof gators. In my experience you would really have to try to get bit by a snake in the desert. It's not like hiking in timber where you can startle them.

Cactus will always get you until you learn to avoid it without thinking.

Everything in the desert sticks, stings or burns.
 
rusty_tlc said:
Good point.

If you are really worried about snakes, get some snake proof gators. In my experience you would really have to try to get bit by a snake in the desert. It's not like hiking in timber where you can startle them.

Cactus will always get you until you learn to avoid it without thinking.

Everything in the desert sticks, stings or burns.
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Not when you wear Carhartts. :grinpimp:
 
like rusty says ive been in the desert forever and once you learn to avoid the bad stuff its a no brainer to walk around all day in shorts and regular shoes. i was just out the other day in shorts and skateboard shoes.
 
Well, I got a boot edu-me-cation last night and keyed on what GeoRoss was saying about seams. That Roo boot from Cabelas is out.

Noticed my Chippewa's don't have very many seams at all, they are like walking around on 2x4s though.

Also, gonna heed your advices on the mid cut boot..up my price a bit for higher quality.

Local Backpacking shop has that boot Ross mentioned and will stop in for a first hand looksie.
 
JuttyShabango said:
Well, I got a boot edu-me-cation last night and keyed on what GeoRoss was saying about seams. That Roo boot from Cabelas is out.

Noticed my Chippewa's don't have very many seams at all, they are like walking around on 2x4s though.

Also, gonna heed your advices on the mid cut boot..up my price a bit for higher quality.

Local Backpacking shop has that boot Ross mentioned and will stop in for a first hand looksie.
Click to expand...

The only caveat that I have about boots is that they are built on lasts (fake feet). Different manufactures use slightly different ones. I find that Vasque and Merrills to be a little narrow. I still had the toe box enlarged (stretched) on my La Sportiva. Be sure that you are very comfortable before you purchase. Take your time and try different makes and models. Good luck and I'll see you in Moab this May.:grinpimp:
 
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