Hiking Boots

“Candies
Columbia
Yukon
Rockport


there is a shoe store closing by me and I thought about getting a new pair but not sure if they are good boots.

Thanks”

“Don't go cheap on boots. You will pay in the long run. Go with one of the recognized "real boot" manufacturers, like Merrell, Vasque, Lowa, Montrail, etc. Avoid the Columbias, Yukons, Rockports and Candies because they aren't made for actual trail use, they're made to make the wearer look like they hike.

Points of a good boot:
full leather upper
gusseted tongue
not made in China
Vibram or Vibram-like sole
fits your feet”

“merrell is a good brand! i just got a pair and they fit like they were made personnally for my own feet when most boots have never felt good on my feet :) GO FOR MERRELL BOOTS!”

“I agree, stay away from them. Save your money until you can afford something decent that fit's well. Until then you're going to have to make do with Sponge Bob slippers.”

“Steel shank! (Not nylon!)”

“ok thanks everyone..


they make sponge bob slippers.

d@mn I miss everything.”

“Payless Shoes has the full Sponge Bob collection incl. slippers, umbrella, and book bag.”

“yes but dosnt Columbia make good hiking jackets?

I thought they were a good brand.


gear slut, thanks for always looking out for me.
now i know what i want for my birthday!!”

“Columbia is okay. I think they started out making stuff that worked well for skiing and such but have turned into a "fashionable" gear company. I bought a rain coat from Columbia and got drenched in the first rain I wore it in. It looks cute though.

All of those boots you mentioned are probably not made to wear with the extra weight of a pack. Most backpacking boots are either Lightweight (dayhikes on flat, soft ground), midweight (lighter loads and soft ground) or heavy duty, (whatever load you want and rocky, rough ground). Your feet will ache if your boots aren't made for the ground you're walking on. I'm in the process of breaking in a pair of heavy duty Montrails and until they're ready I wear a pair of mid weight Merrells on the trail...my feet often feel bruised when I'm finished with a weekend. The shank in the sole makes a huge difference and protects your foot considerably.

What size do you wear? I have a pair of size ten Vasques that need a good home, worn maybe 12 times...a poor fit for me.”

“Womans 8
but im might have to go for 8.5”

“Columbia stuff is better suited for wearing around town, skiing, and car camping. Some of their clothing is ok but I wouldn't trust their boots or rainwear.

People will throw brand names and models at you like crazy but as a general rule, don't go looking for specific brands (although you should avoid brands known for poor quality) when you do go shopping. Find something that fits well for you and is of good quality. What works well for one person, is unlikely to fit you well because our feet are all so different.”

“maple leaf,,,if you want bargain price on boots,,,,look back at an old issue of Backpacker magazine.

About a year ago, they had a feature on sub $100 boots.

I have worn cabellas mid weight boots for several years and have never had any problems with them until this summer when I pulled a d ring loose. I called cabellas and they replaced them immediately upon my return of the defective pair. They had never seen that happen before.

They have been dry, comfortable boots and I have broken in every pair on the trail. I have never developed a blister or suffered "black nails" while wearing them.

dollar for dollar, they have performed very well...”

“what about "NAVADOS"”

“I agree, its mostly about fit. I had Raichle's, wore the first pair out sooner than I thought right, so tried a $230 pair of Danner's on a trusted recommendation. One hike later my son has a new pair of shoes, I have another pair of Raichle's. And another pair in the closet because Sierra Trading Post had a killer price on them, thank you SnowNymph for alerting us to that.”

“In defense of Columbia, I have a great pair of $12 lightweight nylon pants from them that have been used and abused.”

“You must have bought them at 70% off!”

“You betcha!!”

“Lets not dog my favorite FGL Danners. Its all in the fit once you're in a quality name boot. My Danners are excellent boots, sturdy, comfy and my toes are always dry.”

“Sierra Trading Post has some Vasque Arctic winter hiking boots onsale for about $60. I wanted to get a pair last winter, and just may splurge for them very soon.”

“Take care of them!! I paid more for my boots than any other piece of gear. They felt great from the time I tried them on. There was no horrible break in period. I have heavy duty boots because I like to file down tree roots as I hike. ;o)

Make certain they feel good and when possible, like at REI's, put a loaded pack on while walking around the store.

Good luck!”

“1) Comfort/fit/spport
2) features (gore-tex or not,all leather or mixed materials)
3) brand (avoid cheapies)
4) cost, this should be the least of your priorities. If you buy cheap you will more than likely be buying new ones soon due to lack of fit or poor quality materials and workmanship. If you get sticker shock try to remember a good pair of boots can last 10 years so a $200 pair is only $20 per year. If you get 10 bag nights each year you are looking at $2 per night. Not much at all when you break it down. My danners were $180 8 years ago, they are nowhere near their end of use.”

“I do like my Technica Shastas, but they needed additional padding under the balls of the feet and toes. I just picked up a new pair of Hi-Tecs for rambling around and light hiking. THey're about the only shoe for me that doesn't require break-in. I have high-volume, high-arch wide feet, and Hi-Tecs always fit.”

“I did it...I just ordered the winter Vasque Arctic boots I mentioned in my last post.

8)”

“I just had to say that.

”

“Drop in for my "once in a blue moon lurk", and find an actual gear thread, and I just hit the footwear equivalent of the lotto!

Federal Way WA REI store last Saturday, sidewalk sale of returned footwear. Brand new, never worn off trail La Sportiva top end mountaineering boots. Tag said "broken shank, boot squeaks". Boots don't squeak, boot soles are solid as can be, and they are a perfect fit. I think the owner simply decided they were too much boot for his needs and made up a story to get the return accomplished.

$245 new. Tag said $62 bucks, boots were on a 50% off table. $31 plus tax and license... like finding 200 bucks on the ground.

Even better, the quality on La Sportiva boots appears to be top notch - I coveted a pair a few years back but couldn't afford the price at the time. Purchased Raichle's and was happy with them, but..... still wanted the LaSports. Finally got them, these things are absolutely armor, and lighter than the Montagnas into the bargain.

Don't compromise on boots, they are perhaps the most important piece of gear you have.”

“My boots are my old New balance joggers.They work great for backpacking.I wear thorlo lt hiker socks with liners.”

“I posted on another thread about forgetting my boots. All I could find was flimsy kids boots for $25. Hiked in 11 mi, dayhiked the 2nd day, hiked out 11 mi the third day. My ankle took a beating, and it took a month to heal.”

“Soooo, don't skimp on the boots.

I bought 3 prs of the Raichles, and the soles of my 2nd pair are wearing down. Can't find the 3rd pair, so I might have to order more of the Raichles. They're on sale 1/2 price at STP right now. Was hoping it would go down in price like last time.”

“SNOW,”

“oopps lets try that again,


what does STP stand for?”

“Mapleleaf,

I believe it stands for Sierra Trading Post.”

“thank you. I fogot about them. Ill check out there website.”

“Snow Nymph, i did a research for that kind of boot, but it only comes up with skiing boots.”

“I have a pair of Columbia boots - according to what I have read here, they are not very good. They feel comfortable to me, and I have never twisted an ancle or anything - why would I replace them ?
I remember reading something about a 70 tear old woman, Grandma Gatewood, it think was her name. She had hiked the entire Appalation Trail wearing her old Keds sneakers.
Isn't finding boots that fit well and are suited for the packweight and terrain more inportant than the brand name ?”

“yes, solitary, it is.”

“hay im going to the thrift shop after work and hoping to score on a rain jacket. you never know what you may pick up there. if I can get it cheaper then hay hy not. I got a snow suit from a friend cause she went skiing once and hated it. people do that alot, buy something then loose interest. thats what Im hoping for!!”

“I've worn a number of boots over the years but the best I ever had were Galibiers ( French ) Be careful about breaking them in but they will last years.”

“30 years ago, I was an advocate of clodhoppers (heavy leather) boots, but now I like to go light. I'm sure there are many good boots, but I tend toward Vasque with a gore tex liner. Like Cabella's.”

“I thought they were clodBusters.

<G>”

“clod hoppers and sod busters....”

“clod hoppers, sod busters, ball busters...”

“no sodhoppers?”

“Here ya go Injianny John!”

“Many thanks!”

“What kind of socks do you wear?”

“Me? Smartwool or Thorlo.”

“Smartwool do me justice. I melted a pair of Thorlos.”

“My company anannounced today that they will be buying working boots for everyone.

very cool


so im think hiking boots.
the truck will be here next week to fit everyone.

Timberlake Pro Series

I no nothing about this kind of boot other then it has steel toes. is it possible to hike in boots like this?”

“Can you imagine your toes being pressed into a steel toebox?

I knew you could...”