Thread: Hiking boots you swear by?

After a tumble in the jungle my last pair of boots got its sole ripped apart and I have to now buy proper hiking boots. Was using my old brandless gore-tex boots from the army. Now I'm out of the army and can't lynch free stuff as easily anymore.

I think many PB'ers are outdoor types so can anyone recommend a brand you use, trust, or swear by? I don't mind spending the money as long as it can last.

On a side note, do you guys use gore-tex jackets or boots or gear? Or are they simply additional ways to blow money on. I was equipped with gore-tex stuff in the army and now I'm out and when I saw how much these jackets cost I was !

Ps I don't know if hiking is considered a "sport" so I posted in the general forum.

Keen - they are waterproof, and they are practically indestructible. The reinforced toe is good, and the grips are pretty good to.

Danner. I've had a pair of Danners for twenty years. They have been used heavily in mountains, jungles, swamps, cold weather, hot weather, and they have never let me down. I have had the resoled one time. I know a lot of other folks who swear by them who make there living on their feet in rough terrain.

I knew PB was the right place! Thanks gentlemen!

I've really liked Vasque boots -- working for a resource agency, I had both a "light" pair with gore-tex, and an all-leather pair for carrying heavier packs. And I never paid full price, going through companies like Sierra Trading Post and Campmor. (I had first tried on a pair in an outdoors store, but could not bring myself to pay the price. The next day, I found the same boots at 1/2 price in an outdoors catalog.)

I also had a pair from Cabela's that incorporated gore-tex into the inside of a leather boot making it waterproof and meeting the requirements for a fire boot at the same time. They lasted, maybe 8-9 years before one of the heals fell apart (likely from heating, then cooling in fire areas). My take was that they were fine for light duty, but did not have the overall quality of the Vasque. Most serious ground pounders who live 6 months of the year in their boots get custom-fitted Whites boots at $300 on up.

BTW, those "clouds" in my photo? That's smoke over a fire I worked in Montana a few years ago.

Erm, OK maybe don't do what I do and buy a cheap pair every 6 months after the previous ones fall to pieces... I've always struggled with shoes, having large feet which are also too wide and with high arches. I think I'd try made-to-measure shoes if I were to go for expensive ones but the whole thought is depressing...

Fit has as much to do with good hiking boots as quality. I bought a pair of Zamberlan mountain boots about 20 years when I was living in the UK, because they were the only pair I could find that fit my narrow foot. Turns out, they were pretty good quality too. They still have a lot of wear left in them.

I had a pair of Hi-Tec Sierra Lites years ago. They were the best hiking boots I ever owned.

Swear not at all, neither by hiking boots or rat brains.

If you are talking about custom boots then, yep, White or Wesco make some of the best. But, they are very expensive. I've had a pair of Wescos they were good boots. But, for the money, unless you are on poles, trees, or packing on a daily basis, Danners are just as good.

I have also had Vasque boots. When I was a younger man an addicted to adrenaline more so than I am now I used to do a lot of climbing and mountaineering. I had Vasques. They were as good as you could get. Now, they have become more of a market boot and, in my opinion, not worth the money they cost.

Just my two cents.

I've had the Hi-Tec boots too, back when they were the only thing like it on the market. I was astounded to be able to skip the painful "break-in" period. I think they forced other companies to make more naturally comfortable boots.

Now that I'm a full time Mommy, I haven't had to buy any hiking boots in a few years, so I can't say if Vasque has kept up with its reputation or not. They used to be wonderful.

what about "comfort"? Which of these brands are best for that?

Oakley boots - although I'm not certain for jungle use. I'm not anywhere near a jungle to try. I would also ask Archlute (Adam Myer). Army Rangers know their boots.

Originally Posted by ewenlin

Ps I don't know if hiking is considered a "sport" so I posted in the general forum.

Things only go in the "general" category if they couldn't go anywhere else but the Coffee Shop.

Another good boot is Bellville. I still have some that are leftovers. They are comfortable, supportive, and BLACK. Of course that have that wonderful speedlace system and obvious GI look. I wouldn't want to use them for extensive heavy load humping in mountain terrain though. There are better boots for that. I can still see my face in the toes and heels after a bit of work.

Asolo boots are great for real hiking and looks too,I've had the same pair for 5 yrs. now
Asolo
I will say the Vasque's I have (backpacking/hiker's) have been the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned i'm on my third pair and I wear them at work,very long days and great shoes and they back up their products,I had a pair after 2 yrs had broken an eyelet and they replaced the shoes free-lifetime warranty whoo hoo!!

I have done many a backpacking trip wearing no more than a pair of Nikes for footwear. But if you insist on boots - try Merrel.

Originally Posted by Jesus is my friend

Asolo boots are great for real hiking and looks too,I've had the same pair for 5 yrs. now
Asolo
I will say the Vasque's I have (backpacking/hiker's) have been the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned i'm on my third pair and I wear them at work,very long days and great shoes and they back up their products,I had a pair after 2 yrs had broken an eyelet and they replaced the shoes free-lifetime warranty whoo hoo!!

I'm looking for a comfortable boot for work, which ones do you wear?

Originally Posted by ReformedWretch

Originally Posted by Jesus is my friend

Asolo boots are great for real hiking and looks too,I've had the same pair for 5 yrs. now
Asolo
I will say the Vasque's I have (backpacking/hiker's) have been the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned i'm on my third pair and I wear them at work,very long days and great shoes and they back up their products,I had a pair after 2 yrs had broken an eyelet and they replaced the shoes free-lifetime warranty whoo hoo!!

I'm looking for a comfortable boot for work, which ones do you wear?

This one here to be exact,I purchased them through the Red Wing store in town,I believe Red Wing owns Vasque,I will include the link for the exact model I wear about $175.00 and worth every penny and things are very tight here!

Vasque Shoes - 7154 Vasque Men's - Zephyr II Tobacco / Charcoal

Thanks, I'll check those out. I'll be having long 10 hour work days on my feet moving and lifting heavy boxes so they will be needed!