Hiking boots, anyone?

[pooks]

I need to buy a lightweight pair of hiking boots. I'd like to stay under $100, or over but not over $150, for sure!

Any recommendations of what to look for, avoid, etc?

There were a pair on the REI site that I thought I ordered but they never came. I double-checked and the charge never showed up on my card so either I'm losing my mind or the order didn't go through. I went to place the order (again) today, and my size is gone.

So I need help because we're camping in June and I need time to break them in!

[singletrackmind]

The ones that fit. Try not to cheat yourself. I wouldn't buy online without at the very least trying on a bunch of different pairs to find the best fitting brand/style. Then again, I'm very picky and will sometimes put boots from two different same size pairs together for the best fit. Shoe people shudder when they see me come in.

For me it's the Asolo's but for my friend, too uncomfortable. Vasques fit her perfectly. I prefer leather with few seams as possible and a tongue stitched all the way up. Waterproof is a must for me.

For my step-daughters, who use the boots rarely (though on occasion daily for up to 5 days at a stretch) and generally don't do over 5 miles (or much less, either) and are growing out of shoes like crazy, we got Redhead boots from Bass Pro. Cheap and they've had no complaints. Says they're waterproof, I'd say water resistant. Nylon/suede. They have about 200-300 miles on them and the boots/feet are holding up fine.

Again, if it doesn't fit it's not worth it.

[madscot13]

how intense is this hiking going to be? What are the weather conditions going to be like?

[HappyAnika]

Yes, ones that fit you! I would never buy hiking boots online, must go try them on, walk in them lots. The REI flagship store in Denver has a great "faux mountain" area with inclines, rocky parts and steps to try them out on.

The most important thing fitwise: stand on an incline like you're going downhill. Your toes should NOT touch the front of the boot. At all. If they do, you'll be in serious pain after a short amount of time. You want to make sure the laces and fit of the boot are such that they keep your heel in its place without your foot sliding forward and squishing your toes on the downhill.

Waterproof (for me) is a must. All of the trails here have streams running across them well into July. Come to think of it Pooks, are you the one who comes to Estes Park every summer? If so, I really recommend getting the water proof. Then you don't have to worry about balancing on rocks to get over small streams that don't have bridges. You just trudge on through, no worries.

My husband and I both love Lowa, here are mine:
http://www.rei.com/product/733458

They are expensive, I used my 20% coupon to get my last pair. My first pair lasted 4 years and about 500 miles (450 hiking, + 50 snowshoeing). My second pair has not seen as much use since I discovered cycling last year . . .

One last thing, I swear by layering socks. A nice thin silk liner sock topped with a smartwool hiking sock. This way any rubbing is between the socks, not between your foot and the sock. I've never had a blister with this method. DH always got blisters until I finally convinced him to layer, and not a blister since.

Happy Trails!

[RoseC]

I second (or third or fourth) the "try 'em on" recommendation. Feet vary! For me, I have absolutely flat feet - I was born without arches. Anything with a very definite arch hurts like anything.

I love my Vasque Sundowners and my Danners. Especially the Danners, though they haven't been as durable. On the other hand, I have friends who found both brands way too narrow and not supportive enough. Not to mention boots vary even within a brand - some Vasques are much too bumpy inside to work for me.

[singletrackmind]

x2 on the liner, I don't get blisters either way, 5-10+ miles 40-50# pack, but the feets are much more comfortable with wicking liners.

Wear the sock/sock combo you'll be using when trying on boots.

[nic840]

I will swear by Vasques. I bought my first pair (canvas) when I was in High School 18 years ago with money from a summer job. They lasted through many a backpack trip in college. Got my second pair in college and upgraded to full leather and goretex (Sundowner) and LOVED them. After years of service they finally went belly up. Third pair, leather goretex (new sundowner version) were just retired last year and replaced with a new goretex canvas/leather pair. My ankles can't handle heavy hiking anymore so went with something a little more flexible. The break in time is not bad at all. Very blister friendly but it all depends on the feet. So all in all I can't say enough abou them. I think they used to retail for around $120.

I think trying them on is a good thing. Fit is important.
Good luck and I am jealous! -Nic

[nic840]

SMARTWOOL all the way! I think between my husband and I we have over 25 pairs. THey come in all shapes and sizes... I even have the cycling ones and love them!!! They come in thick and light weight.

[Brandi]

I do a tone of hiking/backpacking so my choice is Vasgue or Danner. My Danners are heavy but super durable. But my vasque are light wieght. I really like them both/ But long hikes and backpacking i use my vasque/ Danner I use for short and dirty hikes.

[JanB]

I hike almost every weekend and I've always used a trail running shoe-the New Balance 872 or a pair of Merrill trail runners that are waterproof. I've done 22 miles and a 10,000 elevation gain in trail running shoes and never had a problem. But every foot is different. Good luck.

[Pedal Wench]

I have different pairs for differents hikes. I've got boots for when I'm carrying a heavy pack (30-40 lbs.) and other boots for light packs. And, I found out on my 17 mile days that I mistakenly brought my 7-mile shoes! Seriously, my Lowa's are my 'go-to' shoes for hikes with a light pack, but I forgot that after about 8 miles, I start to feel every little rock and pebble under my foot. I have an old pair of Zamberlain's for heavy-pack or long-distance dayhikes - I love them. They used to be a pretty shade of blue, now they're just kinda brown.

You really need to try them on, and determine how much weight you're going to carry. Even trail conditions - easy, maintained trails and you can get away with a lower cut. Rocky, unmaintained trails and you might want something with good ankle support.

[anakiwa]

Beware of waterproofing (I mean with Gore-Tex liners). While it might sound great, there is a down-side- the boots won't breathe as well and your feet get sweatier (wetter when hiking in drier conditions). I'm not saying that there isn't any role for gore-tex liners (and I would suggest treating leather boots with waterproofing), but they are more expensive and won't always help (and if you walk through enough mud puddles in the rain, your feet will be wet no matter what you are wearing).

[limewave]

I love my Lowa boots. DH got them for me for Valentine's Day the first year we were dating. He took me to an outfitters where I tried them on and hiked around. They were the best fit and even less expensive than the one's DH had in mind. TRY THEM ON. And, if you can, walk up and down a slope to make sure your toes don't slide to the front.