boots?

“Hi there- I need to choose between two pairs of boots and someone recommended this message board as a good place to find lots of experienced backpackers.
I'm buying boots for week-long stints in Utah desert with about a 50-pound pack. Terrain will be on- and off-trail, and frequently on a grade.

Pair #1 are Asolo Forclaz (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.ASP?wc=true&base_no=66055&dept_id=)
They feel comfortable around my heel, but I'm uncomfortable with how high they come up my ankles.

Pair #2 are Montrail Torres (online at montrail.com) and I like that I have more ankle maneuverability with them and I also like their high arches. I'm just not sure that this decision should be based on the came criteria I'd use on any new pair of shoes.

Should I go with something that offers more ankle support even if my preference is freedom? Also, is it best to find a boot that is about the same shape as my foot (the Montrails), or are the Asolos better because they leave me some room around the heels that could prevent blisters?

Both boots seem for the most part the right size. I can kick a wall and not hit my toe in both pairs, there's little side-to-side room, and to some extent I can curl my toes in both. The Asolos might be a smidgeon bigger, though.

Basically, I'm leaning toward the Montrails, but I'd feel more confident if I could hear from anyone else who's worn either of these. I have a narrow size 8 foot that leans a little wide at the ball, i think.

Thanks for listening! Let me know if there is more info I could provide. Any help is much appreciated :-)”

“put them both on at different times, put some weight in a pack and walk around for a while... the fit is important, whichever fits best is the ones you should wear.”

“what simer said. Remember that your feet are bigger later in the day, and that you try out the boots with the same socks you will be wearing on the trip.”

“once my wife switched to montrail boots she was hooked for life...
REI is good place to go for advise & pointers. and they do respond to email via their web site.”

“IMO, if you haven't put lots of backpacking miles on your feet w/out ankle support, it could be unwise to start now... Especially on uneven terrain. I do just about all of my non-winter hiking in shoes, now, but it took me a long time to get to a point where I felt my ankles were strong enough to go w/out ankle support. And, even now, if I know the trail or terrain will be uneven, I sometimes lean towards wearing my boots.

So, if it were me, I'd consider my ankle strenght first.

I have Asolos and absolute love them. I can't wear Montrails b/c my foot is too wide. But, I do know they make nice shoes, too.

I'm assuming you've tried on lots and lots of pairs of shoes/boots?”

“tarabull - I bought Montrails because my feet are too wide. They were the only ones I found to fit comfortably. They make the Torre GTX Wides, and they have a women's version available.”

“I've had two pairs of Asolos and also love them.

I find the high sides can help with preventing ankle twists... Although I have such bad ankles it happens anyway. I would always wear high top athletic shoes playing volleyball for the piece of mind it helps give me. Ditto the boots.

I have Montrail trail runners, look like jogging shoes, but have never worn them on the trail.”

“Don't dis what you can do in footwear other than boots.

For me personally this includes: 300 miles of the southern california of the PCT in sandals; another 1500 miles of PCT in lightweight tennis shoes; an attempted solo circumnavigation of Muztgata at approx. 20,000 ft in some camo canvas shoes purchsed near the Pakistani border for $3; east ridge of ascent of Kinabalu at 13,000 ft.”

“Ok, folks, lets take up a collection to by camel a real pair of shoes.........lol.”

“Montrails aren't for everyone. They seem to be a love em or hate em. Personally I was a hate em. They really gave my foot a hard time. My podiatrist ousted them. Not good for my foot. I miss how "grippy" they were tho. They had great treads.”

“With a 50 pound pack, ankle support would be important. Since you are talking week long stints, I think you should definitely try them on - with a 50 pound pack and walk around including up and down a grade. There is no best shoe for everyone. I'd definitely buy from a place that has good boot fitting services. Take your time, but buy from the retailer that helps you choose which one you get - they will have earned any mark up over the on-line outlet.”

“I had a conversation with Speckled about these boots, and from her answers to my questions, I'm concerned the Asolo boots may be too high volume. Both brands of boots will have ankle support, they are just built differently and the Asolos are a taller boot all the way around vs. the Montrails having a back notch for the Achilles tendon and some easy lacing options.

I asked Speckled to try both brands with a well padded sock (same as what will be used), to do the usual "boot tests" and to wear them with a loaded pack. She does need boots rather than shoes with the pack weight and activities she has been told to expect in her work.

In suggesting that Speckled pose the boot question here, I hoped that there might be some folks with low to medium volume feet who've used/tried either boot (or another brand) to offer advice. She doesn't have outfitters with knowledgeable employees in her area, and lives too far from me to come visit a store.

Thanks for the help so far (and for not doing the troll calling thing) for Speckled; are there more people with some first hand experiences using these boots?”