Hiking Shoes
Hiking Shoes
I'm in the market for new hiking shoes.
What I'm looking for:
- Mid height
- Waterproof
- Non-insulated
- Leather uppers
- Vibram soles
- Under $200
I've been using mostly Merrells the past decade and I'd like to branch out.
Any suggestions for models to look into or shops I should browse? Haven't found anything locally I like, so I've been browsing online.
What I'm looking for:
- Mid height
- Waterproof
- Non-insulated
- Leather uppers
- Vibram soles
- Under $200
I've been using mostly Merrells the past decade and I'd like to branch out.
Any suggestions for models to look into or shops I should browse? Haven't found anything locally I like, so I've been browsing online.
Re: Hiking Shoes
I LOVE my Lowa Renegades.
:spyder: Spyderco fan and collector since 1991. :spyder:
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
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Re: Hiking Shoes
Ozti recommends these shoes.
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Re: Hiking Shoes
Danner Mountain 600s seem to meet your criteria. Very, very comfortable with great traction due to the tread-pattern and a little bit of an "old school" vibe.. haha I really like the look of them anyways.. I have the standard brown/red pair, but there are other variations if the bright red soles aren't your thing..
They do get a little warm for my feet in the summer months. When it gets really hot out, I switch over to the South Rim 600s, essentially the same boot with thinner uppers, no waterproofing, and greater breathability.. Both are excellent.
https://www.danner.com/productfamily/mountain-600/
If you're interested, I'd shop around for deals vs buying directly from Danner.. I've seen them well under $180 from other retailers (REI, backcountry, etc)..
They do get a little warm for my feet in the summer months. When it gets really hot out, I switch over to the South Rim 600s, essentially the same boot with thinner uppers, no waterproofing, and greater breathability.. Both are excellent.
https://www.danner.com/productfamily/mountain-600/
If you're interested, I'd shop around for deals vs buying directly from Danner.. I've seen them well under $180 from other retailers (REI, backcountry, etc)..
Rick H.
..well, that escalated quickly..
..well, that escalated quickly..
- Naperville
- Member
- Posts: 4412
- Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:58 am
- Location: Illinois, USA
Re: Hiking Shoes
Hi-Tec (NO Vibram soles). I'll leave this post up, but will say their quality is NOT high.
https://hi-tec.com/collections/outdoor- ... ght-hiking
They sell them at Amazon too
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/7DBA ... 9573380011
https://hi-tec.com/collections/outdoor- ... ght-hiking
They sell them at Amazon too
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/7DBA ... 9573380011
Last edited by Naperville on Thu Jan 14, 2021 2:04 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Hiking Shoes
I've been using the Keen Targhee Mids for years now. After a few years and countless miles through New England and Colorado, I had finally blown out the sides of my original pair and bought the leather version this past summer. They're exactly what you're looking for minus the Vibram soles.
They're a really comfortable shoe for me. I like them because they're roomy in the toe box and kind of a wide shoe in general. The waterproofing works well, I've used them in snow and my feet stay dry.
The retailers I use most are REI, Moosejaw.com, Backcountry.com, and Eastern Mountain Sports. (EMS)
I've used Moosejaw online the most because they have a good selection of products and quality brands and I like their loyalty program. Though I will often use the others I listed because they all tend to carry brands or products that one of the others does not. Good to have options. :)
They're a really comfortable shoe for me. I like them because they're roomy in the toe box and kind of a wide shoe in general. The waterproofing works well, I've used them in snow and my feet stay dry.
The retailers I use most are REI, Moosejaw.com, Backcountry.com, and Eastern Mountain Sports. (EMS)
I've used Moosejaw online the most because they have a good selection of products and quality brands and I like their loyalty program. Though I will often use the others I listed because they all tend to carry brands or products that one of the others does not. Good to have options. :)
-Nick
Re: Hiking Shoes
Check out Solomon. I've had great success with every shoe/boot of theirs, and I put a lot of miles on them in the rough stuff here in New England. My preference has been low hiking sneaker type or winter boots though, so I can't give you a specific model that fits your criteria.
Re: Hiking Shoes
There is a guy whose radio broadcast I try to listen to daily. His name is John Moore and he is a former Green Beret for the US Army. He has talked about Danner boots for a long time going like they are the very, very best you can get on the planet. And I'm sure that Danner makes a great product>> and I have no doubt they would have a great hiking shoe. Because that guy has had a lot of raw experience using high grade footwear of all types.DSH007 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:14 pmDanner Mountain 600s seem to meet your criteria. Very, very comfortable with great traction due to the tread-pattern and a little bit of an "old school" vibe.. haha I really like the look of them anyways.. I have the standard brown/red pair, but there are other variations if the bright red soles aren't your thing..
They do get a little warm for my feet in the summer months. When it gets really hot out, I switch over to the South Rim 600s, essentially the same boot with thinner uppers, no waterproofing, and greater breathability.. Both are excellent.
https://www.danner.com/productfamily/mountain-600/
If you're interested, I'd shop around for deals vs buying directly from Danner.. I've seen them well under $180 from other retailers (REI, backcountry, etc)..
I just got a practically brand new pair of Redwing Boots ( model 3528) at a local thrift store for a song. I really love Redwing's shoes and boots. I've had 3 pairs of Redwing boots and shoes over the years and I just love the way they fit my feet. So I would have no doubt that they would also have a very good hiking shoe as well. I would be confident that Danner also would make an excellent hiking shoe.
It's been a few years ago and I'm not even sure the Rockport company is even still in business. But a very good, trusted friend of mine just swore by Rockport Hiking shoes. The Rockport hiking shoes he had really looked like high quality footwear. Those are a few that I can think of.
- ChrisinHove
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Re: Hiking Shoes
I have wide feet and have been a big fan of Meindl for some years.
Re: Hiking Shoes
Old school is the look I'm going for. Simple full leather uppers and "normal" looking soles.DSH007 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:14 pmDanner Mountain 600s seem to meet your criteria. Very, very comfortable with great traction due to the tread-pattern and a little bit of an "old school" vibe.. haha I really like the look of them anyways.. I have the standard brown/red pair, but there are other variations if the bright red soles aren't your thing..
They do get a little warm for my feet in the summer months. When it gets really hot out, I switch over to the South Rim 600s, essentially the same boot with thinner uppers, no waterproofing, and greater breathability.. Both are excellent.
https://www.danner.com/productfamily/mountain-600/
If you're interested, I'd shop around for deals vs buying directly from Danner.. I've seen them well under $180 from other retailers (REI, backcountry, etc)..
I had a friend that swore by danner while he was deployed. I'll take a look at those models.
The shoes I get are more for fall / "winter" / spring. I have a variety of trail trunners I use during the nicer parts of the year.
Those look nice. I'm gonna look around and see if I can find them cheaper than their website lists them at.
I've actually tried them out for disc golf. Not bad for the $$ but I'm looking for something higher quality / not made in china.Naperville wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:58 pmHi-Tec (NO Vibram soles). I'll leave this post up, but will say their quality is NOT high.
https://hi-tec.com/collections/outdoor- ... ght-hiking
They sell them at Amazon too
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/7DBA ... 9573380011
They had some vibram soled shoes under $50 last time I looked at their line.
- Naperville
- Member
- Posts: 4412
- Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:58 am
- Location: Illinois, USA
Re: Hiking Shoes
I took a look at the Danner Boots and they are very nice.
I support the 2nd Amendment Organizations of GOA, NRA, FPC, SAF, and "Knife Rights"
T2T: https://tunnel2towers.org; Special Operations Wounded Warriors: https://sowwcharity.com/
T2T: https://tunnel2towers.org; Special Operations Wounded Warriors: https://sowwcharity.com/
Re: Hiking Shoes
I don't have a reco, but I wanted to reply to subscribe and follow this thread. I need to find some nicer pairs of boots. I have Dr. Martens, some cowboy boots and some H-D Wolverine boots which are excellent, but I'm looking for something different now.
--Jeremy
Re: Hiking Shoes
Danner makes some really good products. :)
Re: Hiking Shoes
I've heard that a lot of the special forces guys really like Danner.. I assume they're talking the high-priced US-made boots.. but the ones that I have are pretty nice too for what they are.JD Spydo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:25 pmThere is a guy whose radio broadcast I try to listen to daily. His name is John Moore and he is a former Green Beret for the US Army. He has talked about Danner boots for a long time going like they are the very, very best you can get on the planet. And I'm sure that Danner makes a great product>> and I have no doubt they would have a great hiking shoe. Because that guy has had a lot of raw experience using high grade footwear of all types.DSH007 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:14 pmDanner Mountain 600s seem to meet your criteria. Very, very comfortable with great traction due to the tread-pattern and a little bit of an "old school" vibe.. haha I really like the look of them anyways.. I have the standard brown/red pair, but there are other variations if the bright red soles aren't your thing..
They do get a little warm for my feet in the summer months. When it gets really hot out, I switch over to the South Rim 600s, essentially the same boot with thinner uppers, no waterproofing, and greater breathability.. Both are excellent.
https://www.danner.com/productfamily/mountain-600/
If you're interested, I'd shop around for deals vs buying directly from Danner.. I've seen them well under $180 from other retailers (REI, backcountry, etc)..
I just got a practically brand new pair of Redwing Boots ( model 3528) at a local thrift store for a song. I really love Redwing's shoes and boots. I've had 3 pairs of Redwing boots and shoes over the years and I just love the way they fit my feet. So I would have no doubt that they would also have a very good hiking shoe as well. I would be confident that Danner also would make an excellent hiking shoe.
It's been a few years ago and I'm not even sure the Rockport company is even still in business. But a very good, trusted friend of mine just swore by Rockport Hiking shoes. The Rockport hiking shoes he had really looked like high quality footwear. Those are a few that I can think of.
I've heard great things about Redwing too, though I think they're a bit more "work" boots than I normally wear for walking around in the woods..
Rick H.
..well, that escalated quickly..
..well, that escalated quickly..
Re: Hiking Shoes
The Mtn 600s fill this role nicely for me. I've been out in ~zero degree weather in them.. with a decent pair of wool socks, my feet were perfectly comfortable..vivi wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 5:13 pmOld school is the look I'm going for. Simple full leather uppers and "normal" looking soles.DSH007 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:14 pmDanner Mountain 600s seem to meet your criteria. Very, very comfortable with great traction due to the tread-pattern and a little bit of an "old school" vibe.. haha I really like the look of them anyways.. I have the standard brown/red pair, but there are other variations if the bright red soles aren't your thing..
They do get a little warm for my feet in the summer months. When it gets really hot out, I switch over to the South Rim 600s, essentially the same boot with thinner uppers, no waterproofing, and greater breathability.. Both are excellent.
https://www.danner.com/productfamily/mountain-600/
If you're interested, I'd shop around for deals vs buying directly from Danner.. I've seen them well under $180 from other retailers (REI, backcountry, etc)..
I had a friend that swore by danner while he was deployed. I'll take a look at those models.
The shoes I get are more for fall / "winter" / spring. I have a variety of trail trunners I use during the nicer parts of the year.
Those look nice. I'm gonna look around and see if I can find them cheaper than their website lists them at.
I've actually tried them out for disc golf. Not bad for the $$ but I'm looking for something higher quality / not made in china.Naperville wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:58 pmHi-Tec (NO Vibram soles). I'll leave this post up, but will say their quality is NOT high.
https://hi-tec.com/collections/outdoor- ... ght-hiking
They sell them at Amazon too
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/7DBA ... 9573380011
They had some vibram soled shoes under $50 last time I looked at their line.
Rick H.
..well, that escalated quickly..
..well, that escalated quickly..
Re: Hiking Shoes
I don't have a specific recomendation but I have been very happy with boots from Danner, Salomon and La Sportiva. I haven't worn this model but it seems to tick a lot of your boxes.
https://www.sportiva.com/tx4-mid-gtx.html
https://www.sportiva.com/tx4-mid-gtx.html
- Cambertree
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- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 6:48 am
- Location: Victoria, Australia
Re: Hiking Shoes
Check out the Bavarian brand, Meindl, Vivi.
https://meindlusa.com
I got some Sambar boots for hunting, a few years ago. They were so good, I replaced all my other shoes with the same brand.
They might not be under $200USD but they have lasted far longer than any other shoes I’ve had.
The comfort and quality is on a higher level than most of the brands mentioned here IMHO.
https://meindlusa.com
I got some Sambar boots for hunting, a few years ago. They were so good, I replaced all my other shoes with the same brand.
They might not be under $200USD but they have lasted far longer than any other shoes I’ve had.
The comfort and quality is on a higher level than most of the brands mentioned here IMHO.
Re: Hiking Shoes
I went through 2 pair in 9 years and I've had my 3rd pair for about a year. I use them mostly on multi-day backpacking trips into the Sierra Nevada Mountains and on desert-terrain day hikes in So. Cal, Nevada and Arizona. They're comfortable like running shoes but with enough support to carry a 50lb pack while walking over rocks. The first 2 pair eventually had the soles de-laminate after about 4 or 5 years of use. My most recent pair has an improved sole bonding design and I'm hopeful this fixes the eventual de-lamination issue I experienced in the past..but frankly with all the miles I put on them, after 4 or more years I don't really care if I have to replace them. All said, the Danner Mountain 600 didn't exist when I got hooked on my Lowa Renegades and if I were to consider something different I think I would at least try on the Danners and consider them as well.
:spyder: Spyderco fan and collector since 1991. :spyder:
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
Re: Hiking Shoes
I've been browsing the **** out of every website I can, and based on the deals I can find for my size these are the boots I'm currently considering:
Keen kerraig mid backpacking boot
La Sportiva Eclipse GTX
Asolo Thyrus:
Merrell Moab Prime
I can get all of these in my size in the $120-150 range.
I cannot try on any of these models locally from what I've seen. I still have one more bootery to check out locally before I decide.
Leaning towards the Asolo. They look very comfortable. The Keens would be nice for more back country trips with a heavier pack, but since I tend to pack light they might be overkill for most trips.
Keen kerraig mid backpacking boot
La Sportiva Eclipse GTX
Asolo Thyrus:
Merrell Moab Prime
I can get all of these in my size in the $120-150 range.
I cannot try on any of these models locally from what I've seen. I still have one more bootery to check out locally before I decide.
Leaning towards the Asolo. They look very comfortable. The Keens would be nice for more back country trips with a heavier pack, but since I tend to pack light they might be overkill for most trips.