Hiking Boot Recomendations

[upcruiser]

I'm looking into getting some new hiking boots and am looking for any recomendations. I've been using a medium duty set of Garmonts for the past couple of years and needing to replace them. I've had good luck with them despite them being lighter then my usual pick of boots. I've had good luck over the years with Vasque Sundowners and am considering a new pair. I'd be using these boots for backpacking trips, snowshoeing, peak bagging, and lighter day hikes. I need waterproofing as the snowshoing really demands that. I have a pretty heavy duty set of Scarpa boots that are more alpineering style, looking for something to fit the bill for everthing else.

Anyone have any recomendations that I should check out?

 

[Ursidae69]

I've always been a Vasque guy, they are a little heavy, but strong boots.

 

[upcruiser]

I'm really thinking of getting a new pair of Sundowners. They are old school, but my old ones felt like slippers they were so comfortable. I've been reading online boot reviews and I've seen people who've been using Sundowners for years complain that the quality and the comfort of the new ones aren't as good. Harder leather and issues with the build on them since they started being made in China. Any truth to this from your experience? Its been probably 7 or 8 years since I used Vasques. I still have my old ones, they were in great shape, just wore the tread right of them. I've been toying around with the idea of having them resoled.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Over the past ten years I've tested at least 200 to 250 different models of hiking boots for a bunch of magazines. Vasque Sundowners have consistently performed with the best. I didn't notice any big difference in quality; however, often manufacturers change lasts (the form over which the boot is made), which might explain why a boot that worked for you for years suddenly stopped feeling good.

I'm not a fan of combination fabric-and-leather boots with waterproof liners. I've never found a pair that offers the support or durability of all-leather boots, and I don't like the wear-em-for-three-months-and-toss-em approach to the use of resources. Nothing yet beats a single piece of leather for an upper.

Scarpas have been my favorites for a long time (since when they were making boots for Fabiano). They have a model similar to the Sundowner, but a bit heavier, the SL M3.

Other brands that have regularly performed well for me include Montrail, Raichle, and Lowa (check the fit though; their lasts can be weird).

If you really want to indulge yourself and have a pair of boots that might outlast you, get yourself a custom-made pair of Limmers or Esattos.

 

[goodtimes]

I'm a fan of Montrails. They fit me so much better than others that I don't even bother with anything else. With a mid height upper, they are light enough for daily use, yet provide [me] plenty of support for backpacking (of course, I have been known to go backpacking in Keen Newports...). They stick to rocks pretty well, yet last me about 1 - 1.5 years (daily use) before the soles are gone. The insoles only last me 10 - 12 months though....

But waterproof they are not.....

 

[fisher205]

I have good luck with some Merril Super Lights. Light weight, More comfortable and durable then my sundowners were.

I also have gone to Danner's for my hunting boots and have been very impressed with them. Great ankle support, (two days of upland game hunting on a sprained ankle). I don't know if they make a plain hiking boot anymore.

 

[kcowyo]

I've worn the Vasque Sundowner for years also.

Love the look and support and feel of them, they do get better with age. I would wear them everyday, to work (hey, it's Wyoming...) play or wherever. I've had 3 pairs since '95 and with daily use they would last me 3 years before the soles wore through and the laces started breaking. I did notice the last pair (purchased in '04) barely lasted me a year though before the sole pulled away from the leather, holes wore through and the laces broke. At $200+, that was dissapointing

Last May, when driving by the Sierra Trading Post in Cody, I stopped in to look for new boots. I was able to pick up a pair of leather Columbia Diamond Peak hiking boots for $60. For that price I had to try them but honestly I hated them at first. There isn't a notch cut in for the achilles tendon and it was crippling me. I used the old cowboy trick of standing in a trough and walking them out wet, but that seems to work better with Ropers, than hiking boots.

After several months of daily wear they are now broken in. For the closeout price they were a great deal and they seem to be holding up well, they were just a mother to break in compared to the Sundowner. If you choose to have your old ones resoled, there is a place in Salida, CO that would do that for you.

 

[asteffes]

I just had a pair of Raichle "Rolands" (REI-specific model from ten years ago) resoled with Lowa-brand Vibram soles by a fellow in Washington. They fit like a glove right out of the box, required no break-in to be comfortable and have never caused me any blisters. Phenominal boots. I happily suggest Raichle to anyone searching for good boots. Of course, your choice will always come down to how they fit *you*.

 

[Ron B]

I had the same Raichle's from REI -- a good boot. Upgraded to La Sportiva glaciers, and they still tore my feet up after trying to break them in for 6 months. Exchanged them for some Aku's (the Utah Lite GTX) and climbed Whitney a week later in comfort. I'm sold.

http://www.akuus.com/new/index.php?lang=en&sid=1&categoria=139&codart=127-018-PE06usa

Ron B

 

[bigreen505]

Since everyone is posting their favorites, I'll post my horror stories. First was a La Sportiva that was really overkill for my needs and heavy, but they never broke in. Next, and current, is a pair of Vasque something or others. They are either the Luna or the men's equivalent. Frankly I hate them. I don't wear them much, but I've had them for close to five years now and they are still not broken in (see my Leadville trip report). Not heavy, but really stiff and the soles are made of this super cool compound and tread design that is slippery on everything, sticks to nothing (wet rocks is death) and pack up with mud like nothing I have ever seen before. I may retire these to a friend (or the trash) and bring back an old pair of Technicas that are fantastic.

If you have something that works, stick with it. If you want something lighter check into a pair of bomber trail runners or approach shoes.

I wish I could take my Vasques back to the shop that sold them to be and beat the sales person over the head with them, but alas, they went out of business shortly after I bought the shoes (Grand West Outfitters).

 

[upcruiser]

Thanks for all the responses so far guys. Great feedback. Just like ski boots, I know you really need to find ones that fit your foot the best and that some models fit certain people better then others. For that reason, I'm really hesitant to buy boots online. Locally here in town there is a shop that sells Vasque and that's pretty much it for good quality brands. I've been trying to get in there to try some stuff on but my schedule has been opposite of their store hours. I really think I'm just going to get a new pair of Sundowners. I know the store has Zephyrs that I'm not too psyched on personally. The other ones I'm considerint closely at the moment are the Sundowner Summit GTX's. http://www.vasque.com/products/w-sundownersummitgtx.cfm

Something to be said though, for sticking with something that is tried and trued and that you know works for yourself.

 

[bigreen505]

I know the store has Zephyrs that I'm not too psyched on personally.

Zephyr, that is the one that I have. First pair of boots that I keep hoping wear out. The up side of them is that I pretty much just use running shoes anytime I think I can instead, and my feet and ankles are much stronger for it. They are also more durable than they look. I think if the traction was good I could convince myself to like them. I think my next pair will probably be a Merrill.

 

[upcruiser]

Zephyr, that is the one that I have. First pair of boots that I keep hoping wear out. The up side of them is that I pretty much just use running shoes anytime I think I can instead, and my feet and ankles are much stronger for it. They are also more durable than they look. I think if the traction was good I could convince myself to like them. I think my next pair will probably be a Merrill.

Thanks Bill, thats all I need to know then!

 

[calamaridog]

I'm fond of Merrill boots and footwear and my last several pairs have been Merrill's.

I will say, that some of the best made boots I've seen don't fit me correctly. There are tons of great boots but some brands will not work for everyone.

I think you are on the right track by trying them on and not buying online until you know what brands fit.

 

[edgear]

I've been very please with my Asolo Fugitive GTX boots (from REI) that I've had for about 2 years. I wore them to work everyday for a few weeks to break them in, and they've been great ever since for day hikes & backpacking. I'm not sure if they would work well with crampons or snowshoes, but I believe Asolo also makes some more aggressive mountaineering boots.