Hiking boots?

[Delster]

So I know it''s not as sexy as all the Manolo chat that''s been going on here lately, but I really need a good pair of, eh, hiking boots. No Manolos for me at this point in time!

So, please may I solicit your help? All advice is welcome! Which are good/bad brands to seek out/avoid? What are the features to look for? I''m clueless!

Thank you

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Merrell''s makes great hiking boots of excellent quality.

Here''s the pair I have:

http://www.rei.com/product/759438

My husband has worn that brand for years and whenever my kids get Merrell''s the shoes hold up well until their feet outgrow them (and that is the only brand that has done so, thus, far. . . other brands, like Sketchers, are just crap and fall apart)

 

[Skippy123]

Hey Delster, what type of hiking are you doing?? I started a hiking boot thread awhile back ago; I bought Vasque's and they are nice for longer hikes.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/comfortable-hiking-shoe-suggestions-pls.64316/ Do you have an REI out there, I am guessing probably not, but if you plan to do a long hike where you will be carrying a back pack you need a stiffer hiking boot for long hikes. If you are just doing some light hiking you can get a cross train sort of hiking boot like keen or there are other brands I can't think of but the sole is more flexible and not a big boot.

 

[mimzy]

i second skippy that it really depends on what kind of type of hiking you''ll be doing (terrain and pack-wise). if the hike is longer than 8 miles and/or the pack is heavier than 9 pounds, you''ll likely want a stiffer boot that rises above your ankle. if it''s just day hike in the park type stuff, a cross-trainer type boot that is more flexible would do.

there are a ton of boot review sites out there, and some retail sites have reviews too (like rei and amazon), but it really comes down to a matter of comfort. they are a really personal thing (sort of like ring styles!) that you really won''t know if it''s comfortable or not unless you try it on. i would go to a couple different outfitters (rei, dicks, gander mountain) and get someone that knows what they are talking about and get their recommendation. once you find one that is comfortable, go home and do some research on that particular boot to see if it has good reviews in terms of durability, etc. haha i know it sounds like a lot of work, but it''ll be worth it! and make sure you buy liners and socks with them!

i agree not to go with any shoe that doesn''t focus on hiking too. they are cheap and aren''t built for hiking.

 

[krispi]

BF just got a new pair of Columbia''s a few weeks agao, and he loves them! He wears them almost every day. He works retail on the weekends (in addition to his regular job) and he says they''re super comfortable to stand in all day. We haven''t had much of a chance to test them out with actual hiking due to the weather, but so far he''s very happy with them.

 

[Delster]

Oooh lots of info, thank you! I knew I could count on my PS friends!

So mostly it'll be fairly gentle hiking through low mountain passes and the National Park (yes, there's only one!) here in Ireland, but these boots will also have to withstand our mega trip around South America / Asia (still deciding), and that will involve loooong walks and heavy backpacks. Given our weather here, they'll need to be waterproof. I also think good ankle support would be sensible as I have bizarre issues with all the joints in my legs (I've got this double jointed thingy going on). I want to buy them now so I have plenty of time to break them in before we go travelling (July through September).

I'm familiar with the Merrell brand, BF's boots are by them, he has about three pairs in different styles and it's virtually all he ever wears. I don't know Vasques or Keen, I'm not sure if they're available over here (Skippy your shoes are lovely!). The big brands in the stores we have would be Merrell, Karrimor, Hi Tec, Peter Storm, Meindl, The North Face, Columbia, and Saloman. Going to have to research those brands and see what the general consensus is!

 

[Delster]

So I thought I''d let you know I found some boots! After trying on pair after pair after pair in Dublin without success I went in to our local hiking shop near where BF lives. I found super friendly service and a proper range of useful hiking boots rather than fashion ones. The first pair I tried on were the first boots yet that didn''t pinch at some point or other (and I tried on sooooo many pairs in Dublin!). In the end I bought a slightly less heavy-duty pair than those first ones, but by the same manufacturer. I figured that I don''t need a pair of boots that were designed for ice-climbing just to walk up a few mountains and withstand a little rain

The ones I got are the same boots, just less heavy-duty. Online reviews are good and so far they''re very comfy.

So without further ado, here they are - Scarpa ZG40 GTX They look ridiculously clean, gonna have to see about muddying them up some!

 

[Skippy123]

Delster those look great!!! Happy hiking; it looks like they will provide good traction between you and the moutains.

 

[Delster]

Thanks Skippy - I put them on for an hour last night just to break them in a bit and somehow and hour turned into four! They are like slippers! I''m thinking about bringing them to Munich when we go tomorrow but am also wondering would that be foolish when they''re not fully broken in yet. It''s just they''re soooo comfy, it''s very tempting...