Hiking Boot Poll

[kozmic]

I have a pair of Vasque that are very supportive for harder terrain and A pair of Danners for the woods and trail hiking and a of pair mid height by Cabelas for general bumming around. They are all comfortable, do their job and are waterproof.

 

[Old Seabee]

Boots

Get a pair of Limmers & you will be happy happy happy

 

[feralmerril]

I will take riding boots every time over hiking boots.

 

[Rastoff]

I will take riding boots every time over hiking boots.

For every day use, I might agree with you. However, good hiking boots are not necessarily good for riding and good riding boots are not necessarily good for hiking. You pick your poison. The OP was asking about hiking boots and I have yet to find a riding boot that was even close to a hiking boot for hiking.

 

[wildenout]

We are probably not as demanding of our footwear as you harder working folks or more serious hikers. I voted for Danner because my wife and I each have comfortable pairs that have lasted for many years.

Our Danner boots were purchased while we lived in the Northeast and have been successful through mud, snow, sand, rocks and virtually anything else we have encountered there. However, while hiking on Southwestern trails here in the summer, Teva sandals are more comfortable for me. It gets pretty warm here in Arizona.

Dump them nasty Tevas and come to the Darkside!!!
Chaco Sandals, Flip Flops, Shoes, and Boots - Official Online Store

Will last longer
More Comfy
Better Sole
Cooler look

 

[blackdeuce]

Nothing is better out of the box than Timberland to my feet.

Another vote for Timberland. Mine are Timberland Pro. They feel like I'm wearing tennis shoes. Very comfortable and light. I wear them every day.

I put on a pair of my old Harley riding lace up boots (not sure of the brand) the other day when doing lawn work. I had forgotten how heavy and uncomfortable they were compared to the Timberland.

 

[1coyote]

I tried on a lot of boots when I started backpacking and found the Hi-Tec Altitude to be absolutely the most comfortable for me. My first pair lasted 5 years, second pair about the same. I know some other brands may last longer, but at Hi-Tec prices that's ok with me. (btw - That's 5 years of pretty rough service I put them through: hiking, hunting, fishing, cutting firewood, etc.)

 

[feralmerril]

You got to understand my low brow humor. What I meant was really I aint into walking. I like to ride where ever I go. Especially a quad or UTV.

 

[Harleystoo]

I don't buy commie; so it is Danner, Chippewa or Thorogood.

 

[reddogge]

Meindle Perfekt Hikers. They have a removeable cork inner sole that molds to your foot. Mine a 4 years old and still waterproof and comfortable.

 

[Kitgun]

Merrells for most trails, off trail Danners.

 

[Marshwheeling]

For riding boots you can hike in, I have always done well with a pair of Red Wings, 9" lace-up, Goretex and Thinsulate, with Vibram soles. Last many years, take lots of abuse, don't cost all that much.

 

[steelslaver]

Whites, but next pair is going to be some hand made by the local Amish guy.

 

[meaneyedcatz]

I wear Caterpillar Active Alaska boots. Comfortable and long lasting. First pair lasted seven years, never even had to replace the laces.

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

LOWA

I've been wearing Lowa Zephyr's lately and they are great! Its a light all-purpose hiking boot that you can wear anywhere comfortably. I also have their Renegade boot, but this boot is heavier and more beefy where you would need more support, but are willing to pay for it with increased weight.

I also want to try the Meindl light hikers that Cabelas sells but have not yet..

 

[.455_Hunter]

Pretty much all of my on-trail hiking in the spring, summer, and fall is done with my Chacos. My feet spent too many years jammed in stupid hot sweaty Army boots. I like the ones with the big toe loop.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Dump them nasty Tevas and come to the Darkside!!!
Chaco Sandals, Flip Flops, Shoes, and Boots - Official Online Store

Will last longer
More Comfy
Better Sole
Cooler look

According to their website, the local Summit Hut store carries them, so I will take a look.

As I recall, the pair I have on sale for $40 at Summit Hut the day I decided my old Merrell Chameleon Stretch hiking shoes just were not doing the job.

Can you say, "crunched up toes going downhill even using poles"? Ouch!

At my age, I may have more miles left in the Tevas than I have in me. We will see . . .

Thank you for the suggestion, sir!

 

[Texas Star]

We are probably not as demanding of our footwear as you harder working folks or more serious hikers. I voted for Danner because my wife and I each have comfortable pairs that have lasted for many years.

Our Danner boots were purchased while we lived in the Northeast and have been successful through mud, snow, sand, rocks and virtually anything else we have encountered there. However, while hiking on Southwestern trails here in the summer, Teva sandals are more comfortable for me. It gets pretty warm here in Arizona.

Considering the number of venomous snakes and other animals there, I wouldn't wear sandals, and they have no ankle support and would be nasty to wear if it rained. I guess that AZ sees SOME rain, occasionally? But people in the Middle East wear sandals, don't they, or did in Roman days. They have some very nasty snakes and scorpions and centipedes there. India loses some 40,000 people a year to snakebite, and bare feet are a factor.

My first good boots were Russell's Birdshooters, mainly because author Robert Ruark recommended them for African hunting. When I got them, I was stationed in a mountainous area of Canada and soon realized that I needed more support. But I got Vibram soles which was smart.

I would not buy moccasin style boots again, but I've stayed with Vibram soles. They can be sticky in mud, but they are pretty non-slip, overall. And they're tough. The Birdshooters and a pair of Russell's chukka boots had those raised toe seams, which scuff. If I ordered another pair of the chukkas, I'd specify heel counters.

The boots most used now are a L.L. Bean's copy (?) of the well known Herman Survivor. I like them a lot.

But I've used Danners and like them enormously, as well as a pair of synthetic Rocky's. My son likes Vasque and a pair of GI boots that he got in Iraq. I had some fancy Timberlands with what looked like Norwegian krimp leather and Vibram soles. Very nice, but heavy and they used a special silicone preservative that was hard to find.

I'm somewhat concerned about snakes, and take that into consideration when choosing boots. Many strikes are low on the legs or ankles. I wonder how thick a leather boot you'd need to avoid a strike from a Gaboon viper (fangs to about two inches!) or a Bushmaster? And leather boots are too hot and humid where they live!

Has anyone worn Gokey's tall snake proof boots?