Looking for low top camp/hiking shoes/boots

[Corey]

These will not be used for backpacking, but I am looking for a good pair to wear around camp (backcountry camping) that can be comfortable over rocks, some trails, and an occasional stream fording, but the latter maybe not at all.

I made the mistake last year leaving my old Vasque mid Goretex hiking boots at home, and all I had were some Skecher Shapeups which were very uncomfortable.

I want to purchase these from REI to take advantage of a sale going on at 20% off plus my dividend return.

The old Vasque mid ones gave up the ghost this year at work when we had snow.
The soles starting to come off, but they were also from around 1989 or so, they were my backpacking boots for Mt. Rainier.

I see a few models on REI's site, but both of these do not have any reviews yet.
Both are also waterproof, but use the nubuck leather and mesh, not Goretex.

1. Vasque Scree UD Low Hiking Shoes

2. Oboz Firebrand II Hiking Shoes

Good gosh, their pictures are much bigger when you post the tag for it here.

I am not familiar with the Oboz brand, but they look to be nice.
Anyone have any experience with either of these?

I also looked at some of the trail running shoes, but I am not sure if they would be comfortable to wear for camp scrambling shoes or not.
They have a huge selection as well.

 

[AchillesBogart]

I don't have any of those but if I may, I'll make a suggestion. I own a pair of Hi-Tec Intrepids that I am very happy with. I go through $125 and $25 shoes at the same rate (4 months or so), so I tend to buy cheap. They're $30 shoes, not water proof, they are very comfortable, and have good traction. I wear them when we give tours of an archaeological site on our campus and they're good on uneven terrain and have an fair grip (not as good as my logger boots) in the silty clay soil.

 

[Corey]

Thanks, I had some High-Tec hikers for my youngest son years ago, then after he outgrew them (bigger feet than me) I used them for off road trips and then eventually at work until I wore them out.

I just noticed over at [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Vasque-Scree-Hiking-Shadow-Denim/dp/B0041FHXP0/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301784693&sr=1-1-fkmr0&searchContext=B0041FHXP0,B0041FI17O"]Amazon who carries the Vasque ones[/ame] that they have the Stealth Rubber technology which rock climbing shoes have also my Five-Ten mountain bike shoes have.
Very sticky rubber and stable.
Only one review at Amazon, but the guy likes them well.

Price is close to REI at Amazon, but I still get a better deal from REI with my return and the 20% off.

 

[Corey]

Decision made, went with the Vasques.
http://www.rei.com/product/810238

Talked to a very knowledgeable woman there whos specialty is footwear, and recommended the Vasques.

I really like that they have the Stealth Rubber on them too since I am familiar with it, and I can attest they are very sticky.
Perfect for the Pacific Northwest here where even during the summer out on trails you can encounter leftover rain making a trail very slippery when rain is mixed with pine needles, pebbles, twigs, the typical stuff one finds mixed in with the dirt on the trails we have here in our neck of the woods.

She recommended these insoles too, but I will see how the shoes fit first.
The inserts get rave reviews though, soldiers really like them being on their feet hiking for miles and carrying heavy loads.
Superfeet Green Premium Insoles - High Volume

I got a very good deal on these though with my dividend return and the 20% off.
They should be here by Friday, as the local distribution center by me is out of stock, so they are coming from the East.

 

[Cards81fan]

I am late to the party, but New Balance trail or all-terrain running shoes make great light outdoor shoes. They are not very good if you have a heavy pack (no ankle support), but you said that is not an issue. For just day hiking, even ultra light backpacking and otherwise being outdoors, I think they cannot be beat. I have had my pair for 7-8 years and they are still doing well.

Please note that you have to find some of the higher end models. It seems the $40 Shoe Carnival specials are less comfortable and of inferior quality to the pricier ones (naturally ).

I mean something like this: http://www.newbalance.com/products/MT910/

or

http://www.newbalance.com/products/MO1520/

 

[Corey]

The shoes came today, very high quality.
I am quite familiar too with the Stealth Rubber technology, and as soon as I put them on and walked on my kitchen floor, I could feel/hear the soles sticking to the floor.

Went outside and walked around on them, and they picked up lots of dirt.
They are that sticky.

They are a tad loose, but then I am wearing very thin shocks since coming home from work today.
I just ordered those inserts that the woman suggested I try.
They are a high volume insert, so they should make the shoe fit a little tighter too.

They are very nice, but nothing and I mean nothing can touch how comfortable my Shape Ups are that I have.
I wear a pair at work daily, and I wear another pair during the weekend.
These hikers will take a bit to get use to after wearing the Skechers for a year now.

 

[Ala5ka]

I'm a huge fan of just about anything Merrel, the Vibram insoles are the best

 

[Corey]

My water sandals that I am wearing right now are Merrel, very high quality.

The Super Feet inserts are in the new hiking shoes, I am going to wear them both at work tomorrow.
They tell you to limit yourself to two hours at a time to break the pads in some, so I will take another pair of shoes too in case the feet start aching.

So far though I really like them.
I thought it would be hard to wear something else after being use to the Shapeups wearing them since spring of 2010, but I took to them right away.

Now I have to buy a good hiking staff that has a camera mount on it too.
My last one I bought from REI about twenty plus years ago seems to have walked off.

 

[Stumpalump]

I wound up with the Oboz after getting sick of the reduced quality of Merrills. They are similar to the ventelated Merrills I used to like. When snuged up they hold your foot well enough for light hikes. I did about 10-12 miles on the easy upper rim trail at Grand Canyon yesterday and I was suprised at how well they performed. I did a little hard core exploring and they are definatly not for that but for a 100 doller china shoe I would recomend them if they happen to be the shoe that fits you the best. I really like mine as much or more than 6 Merrills I have owned.

 

[RiverCityDave]

I used to wear Merrils for this sort of thing, I bought several pair, but I have noticed the reduced quality as well. When my current pair cashes it in, Im at a loss as to what I will replace them with.

SUperfeet insoles are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have been in the Infantry for 18 years, and obviously walked A LOT with heavy loads, and they have helped more times than I can count with the crap boots we used to be issued.

Superfeet are literally in every pair of walking/hiking shoes I own.

 

[Corey]

Resurrecting this thread from yesteryear.
When I got the Scree's last year I did not wear them much since I was not able to camp last summer due to a leg injury.
I have been wearing them to work since Tuesday of last week due to the snow storm we got last week.

Today out in the parking lot half of the heel fell off of the right shoe, so it looks like the glue failed.
Not a happy camper, and I have already contacted REI about this and will be getting a complete refund.

I expect better quality from Vasque, and I will never order another pair of Vasque's again.
These were not cheap, they are $130 shoes.

Will be looking at some new Goretex ones today to get.

 

[Corey]

PS, guess who
Just ordered these, will have them Tuesday.
http://www.rei.com/product/813279/oboz-firebrand-ii-hiking-shoes-mens

The Oboz that I had looked at the same time I did the Vasque Screes.
Should be here next Tuesday, so I will let you know how they feel.
The Vasque have hot spots near the front, hopefully these Oboz will feel better.

 

[Christophe Noel]

We've sold dozens of Oboz Firebrand II shoes. We've also had great luck with the construction quality. Their production manager has been to our store twice. Hearing him explain how the shoes are made is incredible. They really do try to build a great shoe. That said, you should be aware that any shoe, from Vasque or anyone else, may have bonding issues. I wouldn't cut Vasque loose just because of a failed bond. That happens to everyone. It's happened to my $300 Scarpa Cinque Terres. Not the end of the world as all such failures are almost always covered under warranty.

 

[TangoBlue]

It's happened to my $300 Scarpa Cinque Terres.

I can't help but laugh at that statement in light of Suave's bling thread... :coffeedrink:

 

[Christophe Noel]

I can't help but laugh at that statement in light of Suave's bling thread... :coffeedrink:

To be fair that particular pair of Limited Edition Scarpas have been resoled three times since 1998. Good stuff is a good value even if the price seems excessive. And even those items have minor failures from time to time.