Hiking Shoes (Page 5): The BNSF RR bought us Red Wings, Justin, Carolinas, Timberlake. These boots didn't need a break -in. You put them on and they were comfortable and ready to go.

dougbev3 Loc: Pueblo, Colorado

The BNSF RR bought us Red Wings, Justin, Carolinas, Timberlake. These boots didn't need a break -in. You put them on and they were comfortable and ready to go. They didn't wear out. The RR gave us a pair every year, it was up to us whether we needed them or not. I know there is many boot companies out there, but I don't think you can go wrong with these brands.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

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.

https://gearpatrol.com/2018/09/26/best-hiking-boots/#boots I have a personal favorite: Timberland.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

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.

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https://gearpatrol.com/2018/09/26/best-hiking-boots/#boots

Personally, I like Timberland. Go with waterproof if you can
stand the higher cost. You'll be glad you did. >>>>>>>>>>Alan

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

oregonfrank wrote:

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.

I second this as REI is great on service and backing up their stuff.

On another note I purchased a pair of Chippewa boots years ago--they are half work and half walking/hiking and I've worn them all over the world and also worked in them bushwhacking and other outdoor work and they are still great. They have a pretty good toe box which is helpful for me. Unlike a lot of the "modern" boots they are leather and do require some breaking in but once you reach that point they are better than the newer models IMHO. I also bought a pair of Chippewa engineer boots for motorcycle riding and generally cooler weather.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

I like my Asolo high top shoes or boots that are made in Romania. I got them at our local outfitters store. They are not cheap; but, fit well; are comfortable for miles of hiking; mostly water proof and seem stick to slick Arizona rock. Also I got 10% off since I am a veteran.

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

Don't forget to get good socks; either hi-tech ones or when appropriate, wool. Cotton socks can lead to disaster.

And try on boots with the socks you intend to wear. It was also suggested to me, to measure your feet and try on boots while wearing a pack typical of the weight you'll be packing.

twowindsbear

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.

Since " The last pair I purchased were great" and "too small" . . . maybe EXCHANGE them for a BIGGER pair???

BruceLR Loc: Shoreline (Seattle), WA

Paul J. Svetlik wrote:

I may surprise you, Davet, br br but after years ... (show quote)

I'm interested in Paul's comments bc I have purchased my Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots from REI. Pricey at $230 but the best boot imaginable for me. Light and rigid they help this old guy pack a 28# load over uneven terrain. They are completely waterproof, too, as I have confirmed by walking through streams. (I need to size up to an 11 1/2 from my normal 10, though.) Sometimes they go on sale, though. I found that Keene's are way too soft for packing a load. I'm going to give Paul's Walmart suggestion a look, however. He sounds like an experienced hiker and if these boots will handle a 30# pack I'm going to check them out. Thanks for the tip.

Jeannie88

I think that it is very important to buy shoes in a store where you can try them all on. Sometimes the sizing can be off.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

OZARK MOUNTAIN BRONTE waterproof,

Sturdy, watertight, comfortable and very reasonable.

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

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.

Davet, I just bought a pair from EMS. I purchased a low cut lightweight shoes with good tread. My feet stay cooler and do not get tired as quickly. It is generally recommended to go with low cut shoes for general hiking.
EMS has great service. The shoes are of a better quality and thus a bit higher priced. I wait for sales when I can.

DMZX

I lean toward heavier off-trail boots that can take a crampon if need be.

My preference has been Euro-made, all leather boots. They last and are resoleable. Alico (Tahoe or Summit), Merrell (Wilderness), are models that I have had good success with and can recommend.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

david vt wrote:

Gene - amazing that you mention them. I bought my... (show quote)

My experience with Limmers has been the stuff of legends. My first pair, just before the accident - might have had 15000 miles on them. The vibram soles were still serviceable, but in another 700 miles or so they would have needed replacement.

I'd much rather spend the $700 once and have a reliable high quality pair of boots that won't disintegrate in 2-3 yrs than buying the disposable boots for $30, $100 or even $200 that you get out of a retail store. When I bought my boots in 1990 they cost me a lot - the going rate for a decent leather boot from Fabiano, Merrell, Pivetta, Vasque, Raichle, etc - was about $75-$100. But they lasted until they were burned, and would have lasted to this day without anything more than a "tune up" done at Limmer's bootworks. I don't know of any boot made today that could last that long under my 200 lb frame and another 40-50lb of load. I would have replaced any of current molded sole shoes at least 10-15X in the same span of time.

Fit is nothing less than perfect with Limmers - he even makes them a tiny bit smaller because he knows that the leather will expand to conform to your foot after a few outings. The nice thing is that I like to hike with thick socks, but for the first 4-6 outings I am perfectly comfortable using a new pair with thin socks - the fit is that precise! But I'm afraid I am preaching to the choir - you know the boot firsthand. One thing is certain, I really hate having to break in a new pair of boots every 2-3 yrs, which was the case before I treated myself to my first pair of Limmers. Now I hike mainly on weekends with friends, and I cover about 20 miles a week - every week - so I can safely say I am getting my money's worth. Unless they are stolen or burned in a fire - I don't expect that age 67 I will ever need to buy another pair of hiking boots. When you consider the concept of life-cycle costing - these are a really great deal.

These have 6 yrs on them and about 5K miles on them but during the winter months I will either have Black Diamond 10 point crampons or Katoola MicroSpikes - so the soles don't really get any wear during the colder months. My previous pair didn't look much different after 22yrs.

You won't find anything like these in any REI, Cabelas, or any other retail store. With boots, as with many other things - you get what you pay for, but more importantly, you never get what you don't pay for.

(Download)

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

berchman wrote:

My first pair of boots, when I didn't know anythin... (show quote)

National Park

I've been very happy with my Keen hiking boots: https://www.cabelas.com/product/footwear/mens-footwear/mens-hiking-boots-shoes/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104383080/keen-trade-mens-targhee-ii-low-hikers/1546141.uts?slotId=7