Best hiking boots?
- Thread starter steve729
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ones that fit!
The best boots are the ones that fit you. Same nominal size boots from different makers can fit your feet quite differently. Unfortunately it can be hard to tell really how well a boot fits just trying it on in the store. So go to a place with a good selection, knowledgeable staff, and a liberal return policy, e.g. REI or the like. There are lots of well-made boots for less than $200. After trying several I now have a pair of Asolo's which work great for me. Find the ones that work for you.
The best boots are the ones that fit you. Same nominal size boots from different makers can fit your feet quite differently. Unfortunately it can be hard to tell really how well a boot fits just trying it on in the store. So go to a place with a good selection, knowledgeable staff, and a liberal return policy, e.g. REI or the like. There are lots of well-made boots for less than $200. After trying several I now have a pair of Asolo's which work great for me. Find the ones that work for you.
Vasque. I lived in Utah for 8 years and regularly hiked and backpacked 25 miles deep in the back country Type depends on if you are carrying a pack and how much weight and if you need water proofing. I have only owned two pair because they are built just that good. On pair I still use for hiking and are fully supportive up to 45 pound pack. Sundowner was the name. The other old mid grade hiker I can't kill. Use them now around the house to clean debris, etc.
x2 for fit. I bought a pair of Danner's about 10 years ago and I ended up returning them after 5 hikes because they chewed up my heels. Got a pro-rated refund and applied it to a pair of leather, Gortex Garmont's. Hands down the best boots I've ever had.
x3 on the fit and don't under estimate the importance of good socks. Consider carefully if you need Gortex or not. I don't hike casually very often because in my work I often do 6-8 hours a day of back country walking. Depending on terrain and how much weight I will be carrying I wear either the Lowa Renegade GTXii Lo or Lowa Trekker (full leather/high top). I change brands when lines/models are phased in and out. Find someone at a hiking/shoe store that will spend the time with you to get the right boot and fit for your needs/circumstances.
LL Bean makes a Leather Cresta Hiker that gets great reviews and is an Editor's Choice for Backpacker magazine for a mid to heavy backpacking boot. I'm on my second pair in 20 years of heavy use and I love them. Plus, you can't beat LL Bean for customer service.
As above, and being an avid backpacker since 1974, I can tell you through dozens of different boots I've owned over the years: Fit is the first and most important criteria. You need to first determine, assuming you don't already know, if you have a small, medium or large volume foot. Along with narrow or wide heal. Ditto for instep. Any boot fitter worth their salt will either determine this for you apart of their fitment procedure or at the very least inform you which brands correspond to each.
REI is a great place to start as they have an 100% unconditional guarantee. Often times the boots you will try on feel perfect in the store only to leave you with foot problems out on the trail. And REI generally spends time training their people on proper boot/shoe fitment. Its tough to find a good boot store today!
Personally I have a medium volume foot, medium to slightly narrow in width along with medium to high instep with a narrow heal. Meindl (only available from Cabelas here in the states AFAIK) and Asolo (TPS 535 or any of its variants) boots fit me perfectly. Asolo boots have different fits so you can't assume, in their line, if one model fits then the next model will too...
The next bit of advice if you spend a fair amount of time in your boots: Get custom cork footbeds if you can afford them. I had an expert ski boot fitter make mine to my feet. Not cheap but I move them between my different boots; the difference in comfort after the easy 6+ mile range is past is significantly better in regards to overall comfort and support. And minimal to non-existent hot spots.
And its fine knit Merino wool socks that work for me (Wigwam, SmartWool, Patagonia). The synthetic variety, ala ThorLo, did nothing for my sweaty feet except give me sweatier feet with nice bright red blisters!
REI is a great place to start as they have an 100% unconditional guarantee. Often times the boots you will try on feel perfect in the store only to leave you with foot problems out on the trail. And REI generally spends time training their people on proper boot/shoe fitment. Its tough to find a good boot store today!
Personally I have a medium volume foot, medium to slightly narrow in width along with medium to high instep with a narrow heal. Meindl (only available from Cabelas here in the states AFAIK) and Asolo (TPS 535 or any of its variants) boots fit me perfectly. Asolo boots have different fits so you can't assume, in their line, if one model fits then the next model will too...
The next bit of advice if you spend a fair amount of time in your boots: Get custom cork footbeds if you can afford them. I had an expert ski boot fitter make mine to my feet. Not cheap but I move them between my different boots; the difference in comfort after the easy 6+ mile range is past is significantly better in regards to overall comfort and support. And minimal to non-existent hot spots.
And its fine knit Merino wool socks that work for me (Wigwam, SmartWool, Patagonia). The synthetic variety, ala ThorLo, did nothing for my sweaty feet except give me sweatier feet with nice bright red blisters!
There is a lot of good info in this thread.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-ou...ing-zion-narrows-thinking-about-footwear.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-ou...ing-zion-narrows-thinking-about-footwear.html
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question .. it is posible have a water proof boot that isn't insulated ..?
Down here in the trail it's usually wet/muddy but hot .. so I want waterproof boot but fresh .. I'm now with pair of Cabelas that have a zipper to cover ties part ( save a lot of work when you need to clean all mud ) but are not good about water proofing and are kind of hard and heavy.
Down here in the trail it's usually wet/muddy but hot .. so I want waterproof boot but fresh .. I'm now with pair of Cabelas that have a zipper to cover ties part ( save a lot of work when you need to clean all mud ) but are not good about water proofing and are kind of hard and heavy.
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I use a set of low-cut Goretex Garmonts quite a bit but my favorite boots are my Lowa Banff Pros. Non-goretex leather goodness worn with my favorite smartwool socks and I am good for days.
You passed "Under $200" without even slowing down to wave.
Based on recent shopping I've done I'd say "Under $200" is pretty unrealistic if you expect to carry more than a light day pack.
I 100% agree that no one brand is right for everyone, even within one brand the last are different from model to model. I have also notice that modern boots have a pretty high content of synthetic materials, nothing wrong with that but I don't expect a modern boot to "break in" like the old boots that were made mostly out of cows.
I have had these...
Reviews for Zamberlan Civetta GTX Hiking Boots - Men's
for about 11 years, they take a little while to break in but they are really good boots. Kinda spendy...
Reviews for Zamberlan Civetta GTX Hiking Boots - Men's
for about 11 years, they take a little while to break in but they are really good boots. Kinda spendy...
You passed "Under $200" without even slowing down to wave.
Based on recent shopping I've done I'd say "Under $200" is pretty unrealistic if you expect to carry more than a light day pack.
I 100% agree that no one brand is right for everyone, even within one brand the last are different from model to model. I have also notice that modern boots have a pretty high content of synthetic materials, nothing wrong with that but I don't expect a modern boot to "break in" like the old boots that were made mostly out of cows.
Assuming they fit: For starters: Asolo TPS 535 NBK V Backpacking Boots - Nubuck (For Men) - Save 31%
And the full-grain leather version can be found for $215 free ship. Not bad all things considered.
That looks like it could be a good boot I wonder if they have them in satock at the local store.
The $ comment was more for the custom cork insoles, I cannot imagine they are inexpensive. They sound like they would be heaven on your feet though.
This is the boot I've been looking at I tried them on over at Scheels and they felt pretty dam good.
http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3904743
Irish Setter and still made by Americans in AMERICA. Mike
I will back and pay more for really good American made products. I have to, since I drive Land Cruisers. MIke