Hiking Shoes

azure said:
I have to agree on fit being the most important consideration, and it's why I always buy Keens: no other brand's footwear fits my feet better.
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Can't disagree with this sentiment, I'd rather have a pair of cheap boots that fit well than pair of expedition boots that fit poorly. I wore a pair of Gronell's for years. While they were really, really good boots they fit poorly. I finally broke down and bought a pair of Tevas. They are nowhere near as nice a boot, but they fit far better. I'm just hinting city streets so I don't mind in the slightest. Were I out in the bush I might feel differently (might want a pari of good-fitting high end boots). Then again, I might not depending on what terrain I was hiking. Still, every boot fits differently. Only way to find out what works is to try a bunch on. I only bought Tevas because their hiking shoes fit me to a T, I wear them half the year (the half I'm not wearing boots).

Don't forget to leave room for a pair of liners and a pair of wool socks. The liners should wick moisture away from your feet so you don't get blisters. The wool socks are good cushioning, and they keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. I'm lucky, Mrs. Steingar knits them for me.
 
denverpilot said:
Do they recycle them? ;)
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I have it on good authority that the answer is yes!

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I like my timberlands for trail hikes,and light off trail hiking. Good fit at a good price. I second the choice of REI for purchase.
 
denverpilot said:
You can return insane liberals at REI? Who knew? Do they recycle them? ;)
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They use the same employees as Starbucks, and Whole Foods, complete with white guys with dreadlocks, and hippie chicks with bumper sticker (progressive) covered Priuses (Prii???).

I am an REI member, but always ask the first guy I see where the gun counter is located just to see the look on their faces. Been shopping at REI for over 20 years, never bought a gun there yet. :D
 
I like hippie chicks. Always have. My wife is still a hippie chick. She wears Vasque boots (when she isn't wearing Luchese), shops at Whole foods, and loves Starbucks. That has no bearing on her conservative politics. :)
 
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Clark1961 said:
Most of us don't consider a walk from the porch to the car a hike, Tim.
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Good point!

One thing that may be worth mentioning is try to avoid those stooped "cloth loops" for shoe lace eyelets boots/shoes if possible.

I've had four or five pairs with them now. From Merrell and Columbia on the hiking side to Red Wing on the work boot side and they are always the first thing to fail. I fix them by sewing them up with heavy thread so it's managable but it's still a PITA that one shouldn't have to deal with. And they fail long before the boot's even close to being worn out.
 
It's ultimately going to come down to what fits you best.

Personally, I've owned just about every major brand of hiking shoe/boot and ended up sticking with Merrell because they've been so comfortable to wear, and comfortable with whatever I've put them through.
 
Merrells it is! :yesnod:

Merrell Vertis Ventilator -- similar to the Moab Ventilator. They are about the same weight as the Columbias, but felt a little more substantial and very comfortable.

REI would have been my first choice, but that's a little problematic being in the Middle-East. I couldn't believe how limited the selection is over here. I found a few from Soloman, a couple from Columbia, and one Merrell.

So I've got the shoes, the obligatory middle-aged-man hat, :lol: now all I need is the socks. I'm told they should be Merino wool, but I haven't seen that anywhere.
 
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