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Hiking Shoes
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Dec 29, 2018 13:18:11   #
Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida
 
I am asking for advice on brands of good quality hiking shoes for my photography excursions. The last pair I purchased were great, but too small. I got them on line and that was the problem. I could not try them on first and walk around. Any suggestions will be helpful.

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Dec 29, 2018 13:26:09   #
Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles
 
Davet wrote:
I am asking for advice on brands of good quality hiking shoes for my photography excursions. The last pair I purchased were great, but too small. I got them on line and that was the problem. I could not try them on first and walk around. Any suggestions will be helpful.


My suggestion is that you buy them in a store.

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Dec 29, 2018 13:26:33   #
John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN
 
Did you get the size you ordered? Sometimes width is a problem, thats the letter after the number. Up here in Minnesota, many swear by Redwing Boots, beyond that LL Bean has good boots & shoes

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Dec 29, 2018 13:31:03   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Dave, I've been wearing Merrell Moab boots for the last 14 years. I purchase mine at REI. My suggestion would be to go to a shoe store and find out what size you need prior to ordering anything.

Duluth Trading Co. has some good footwear solutions, as well.
--Bob
Davet wrote:
I am asking for advice on brands of good quality hiking shoes for my photography excursions. The last pair I purchased were great, but too small. I got them on line and that was the problem. I could not try them on first and walk around. Any suggestions will be helpful.

Reply
Dec 29, 2018 13:34:29   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
Bass Pro has a good selection

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Dec 29, 2018 13:44:49   #
bobforman Loc: Anacortes, Washington State
 
As I age I find having a boot with higher support aids stability, particularly on irregular surfaces. I'm on me second pair of boots from Cabela's that resemble my old jungle boots although of higher quality. A combo of leather and canvas, they lace up 3 inches above my ankle. The support is much better than my earlier hiking boots.

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Dec 29, 2018 13:46:49   #
halraiser
 
Different makers use different lasts, their boots will be a bit different. And people's feet are also different. Most likely one brand will fit your feet better than other brands. The only way to find out is to try them in a store where you can really walk around, preferably with a sloping place as well to see how they fit on the slopes.

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Dec 29, 2018 13:47:08   #
Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida
 
We have a Bass Pro here. On my old shoes my big toe kept hitting the end and cause me to loose my nail. I will try
Bass Pro.

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Dec 29, 2018 13:47:32   #
oregonfrank Loc: Astoria, Oregon
 
I endorse REI if a store is near you. They make returning items easy, they have a wide range of brands and will advise you on sizing. Bring a pair of the socks that you will wear with the boots.

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Dec 29, 2018 14:26:06   #
bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT
 
Absolutely buy them from a major store. Merrill and Keen are very good as are some others. Hiking boots have different types of soles depending on what you mostly do. Like most clothing different brands of the same size will fit different so it’s important to try them on first, don’t just try the right or left, put them both on and walk around the store. I buy mine from REI because they have a very knowledgeable staff. And you can’t beat the return policy. Just a note, my wife used to wear Merrill’s but now she preferes rebok.

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Dec 29, 2018 14:46:14   #
Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado
 
I may surprise you, Davet,

but after years of buying high quality hiking boots (shoes) from REI and replacing them in 1-2 years anyway (I hike and backpack a lot) I decided to try something different.
I went to Walmart.
They have a wide variety of boots designed for other activities, but I am sure, you can find there some boots - fitting to your need nicely. They are usually made in China or Brasil and the price is a fraction of what you pay in a sport store.
Your boots have to be comfortable and warm in winter.
The kind I like is in the price range between $40 - $50. I always look for a good lug sole, yellow or light brown color of the synthetic rubber, which doesn't slide easily on a polished floor in the store. I need a good traction on the rocky, sometimes wet terrain.
In about 2-3 years I replace them with a new pair.
I carry a backpack 25-30lb for a day hike and an overnight backpack 50-60+lb. These boots are reasonably waterproofed and I do not need to put any silicone or grease on them.
For longer trips I like to put in some soft insoles.
I use heavy wool socks with light nylon under-socks in every season - both socks are available from REI and other sport stores.
After the trip I spray a germ killing compound like Lysol Spray or similar - inside the boots.

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Dec 29, 2018 15:03:24   #
Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak
 
I'd go to REI except that they are way too expensive. I prefer to go to Cabela's. I've found that they carry a wide selection of good, high quality footgear and fairly reasonable prices. And if you buy a pair of shoes that are Cabela's branded, should they ever fail in some manner, they will replace them with a new pair at no charge to you. Personally, I never buy cheap footgear. I've always been disappointed in cheap shoes. They are either uncomfortable or don't last, or both, so I don't mind spending a bit on shoes/boots. Good shoes mean happy feet. Buy the best you can afford and your feet will appreciate it.

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Dec 29, 2018 15:23:18   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Davet wrote:
I am asking for advice on brands of good quality hiking shoes for my photography excursions. The last pair I purchased were great, but too small. I got them on line and that was the problem. I could not try them on first and walk around. Any suggestions will be helpful.


BRAND is a lot less critical than proper FIT. Never buy footwear online unless you fully know the brand. Go to any good sporting goods store and try on several in your price range. Improperly fitting shoes/boots can ruin your day or your entire trip!

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Dec 29, 2018 15:40:59   #
Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida
 
Thanks......
Paul J. Svetlik wrote:
I may surprise you, Davet,

but after years of buying high quality hiking boots (shoes) from REI and replacing them in 1-2 years anyway (I hike and backpack a lot) I decided to try something different.
I went to Walmart.
They have a wide variety of boots designed for other activities, but I am sure, you can find there some boots - fitting to your need nicely. They are usually made in China or Brasil and the price is a fraction of what you pay in a sport store.
Your boots have to be comfortable and warm in winter.
The kind I like is in the price range between $40 - $50. I always look for a good lug sole, yellow or light brown color of the synthetic rubber, which doesn't slide easily on a polished floor in the store. I need a good traction on the rocky, sometimes wet terrain.
In about 2-3 years I replace them with a new pair.
I carry a backpack 25-30lb for a day hike and an overnight backpack 50-60+lb. These boots are reasonably waterproofed and I do not need to put any silicone or grease on them.
For longer trips I like to put in some soft insoles.
I use heavy wool socks with light nylon under-socks in every season - both socks are available from REI and other sport stores.
After the trip I spray a germ killing compound like Lysol Spray or similar - inside the boots.
I may surprise you, Davet, br br but after years ... (show quote)

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Dec 29, 2018 16:02:08   #
Brokenland
 
Merrill lasted less than 7 month worth 6-8 miles hiking a day per one year.. Basspro would be the next best alternative as you can enter the store and try them on. if you choice to order online you'll end up having to order 3 different pairs as the shoes are each made differently. Mother use to order 3 pairs from zappos shoes until she found the right one.

Edit:

Just a reminder, merrill and a few other shoe manufactures do offer a 1 year warranty so if your shoes wear out sooner than expected you should get a new pair etc.

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