Best Boot for the Desert?

[llih]

I wear boots all the time. I live in the desert. Unless you plan on hunting snakes or trekking thru cacti go 6 inch. The best boot for all around wear doesn't need lugged soles. Lugged picks up mud if your traveling during the monsoon season on clay type soils. Eastern Az has lots of sticky red clay! Best boot I have found for everyday wear, comfort and durability is the Chippewa 72050. It's not a hiker, but the sole has pretty good grip on most surfaces (DG is the exception). A good boot for a great price (last 2 pairs were $100.00 each). I have 2 other pairs of boots, one is a medium weight hiker and the other a pair of Italian made heavy mountaineering boots. I never wear them, and finally stopped taking them on most trips.

 

[ginericLC]

I like the Vasque Sundowners. I'm on my second pair. They are gore-tex lined but I haven't found them overly hot. No insulation just gore-tex for weather proofing. I had my first pair for 11 years and they literally went around the world. 14 months in the salt water of Guam is what killed them. All the hardware rusted out. It hurt the leather too. The things I like about them is there is zero break in time. I can wear them will all different kinds of socks from a heavy wool to a cotton athletic sock. They also come in widths so they fit a little better.

 

[White Shark]

Vasque is owned by Redwing and is consistently rated by the Hiking magazines and the Forest Service Trail crew polls as the most comfortable and best fitting boot company out there. I've had a few pairs and they are all that they say they are, but I wear them out too fast.

I've also had 2 pairs of the Danners (8", all leather), and they were great boots, but they wore out too quickly also. I had them both resoled twice before they totally died. I now have another identical pair to the first two pairs, but they have the cordura sides and they seem to be holding up pretty well.

I also have 3 pairs of La Sportiva Makalus. They are the best example of an indestructible boot that I've ever had. They are made to climb Everest, cross razor sharp granite and loose talus / scree fields, yet stay stiff enough to hold step in crampons without collapsing.

Of the three pairs that I have, one pair is completely worn beyond repair, another needs resoling due to wear, and the third pair is just broken in. These are awesome boots, but they don't fit everyone. If they fit you, they will be great. If they aren't quite right, they will be the worst boots you've ever had. That is because they are mountaineering boots and are very stiff. As such, they need to fit perfect from the minute you put your foot in them, and any deviation from a perfect fit will break you far earlier than you could ever break them. If they fit though, they will allow you to walk for weeks on the worst terrain on earth while making it seem like a walk in the park.

Buy what fits. Don't buy only on opinion. Check them out based on opinion, but buy what works for your feet. If they say they will stretch, mold, or adapt to your feet, don't hold your breath. Buy boots that feel right to begin with, and they will break in easier and fit better in the long run.

 

[GeoRoss]

I have have had the toe box slightly enlarged in my Makalus (one reason the Vasques don't work for me). They heated/softened the leather in a hot water bath and then used some sort of cobbler tool to form the toe box to my foot. I had mine done at The Summit Hut here in Tucson.

This is an example of where a quality boot made with quality leather shines.

Ross

I also have 3 pairs of La Sportiva Makalus. They are the best example of an indestructible boot that I've ever had. They are made to climb Everest, cross razor sharp granite and loose talus / scree fields, yet stay stiff enough to hold step in crampons without collapsing.

Of the three pairs that I have, one pair is completely worn beyond repair, another needs resoling due to wear, and the third pair is just broken in. These are awesome boots, but they don't fit everyone. If they fit you, they will be great. If they aren't quite right, they will be the worst boots you've ever had. That is because they are mountaineering boots and are very stiff. As such, they need to fit perfect from the minute you put your foot in them, and any deviation from a perfect fit will break you far earlier than you could ever break them. If they fit though, they will allow you to walk for weeks on the worst terrain on earth while making it seem like a walk in the park.

Buy what fits. Don't buy only on opinion. Check them out based on opinion, but buy what works for your feet. If they say they will stretch, mold, or adapt to your feet, don't hold your breath. Buy boots that feel right to begin with, and they will break in easier and fit better in the long run.

 

[justimaginejack]

IMHO, as a student i worked at The Alpine Shop here in the Lou. we were tought how to do a boot fit, as well as what boot went where on what foot.
I know you all have brand,style preferences, but unlike picking out a cruiser, a shoe should be something very personal. I used to blindfold people I knew were going on an expedition, because they tried to buy the shoes with thier eyes and not their feet. When you are out there, no one cares but your feet.
For those of you who are wearing out shoes to soon, it means you have a poor fit, or a misunderstanding of how long a shoe should last. What is the wear pattern?

We used the Phil Oren Fit System, I never once got a complaint.
I recommend you look it up. I don't think your feet will ever complain again!

http://www.fitsystembyphiloren.com/

I am not sure jason would Approve, but if you need to buy boots from an expert. this guy knows more about shoes and outdoor gear than anyone ever should. email him at Jason@alpineshop.com if he can't help you, no one can.

 

[FJTex]

Merrell makes some GREAT boots, i've got a pair and i swear by them. ( http://www.merrell.com/Shop/Gallery.aspx?NavID=FT-O-HIK ) many of their products are goretex however. for your application i'd think the swtichback or the chamelion wrap leather- waterproof mid high would be the best solutions. a very comfortable and durable shoe