Hiking shoes

BASIL

Member
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Joined
Dec 18, 2016
Messages
3,668
Location
Sophia
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
I'll be going to Zion NP in October. I do not have any proper hiking shoes.
Can you'all give me some recommendations ?
 
I like my keen. I had some Merrill that did not last very long. But if seems that my 220lb carcass tends to kill shoes rather easily.
 
Really depends on what type of hiking and what terrain you expect. I recently did an 11 mile day hike in the Smokies with my daughter. We both just wore tennis shoes. My last several backpacking trips (3 days in the smokies and a 5 day 60+ mile hike in Pisgah) where also done in tennis shoes. The only problems I had were the really rocky sections. If you are going to be hiking a lot of uneven, rocky terrain something with a shank in it is a life (sole) saver. If you hike in a a lot of areas with scree trails, then high top boots and gaiters would be a good idea.

The day hike was in a pair of Asics Gel Venture 6's with Superfeet Carbon insoles. The backpacking trips were probably New Balance but too far back to know which ones.

And get some good hiking socks. I like Thorlo's.
 
I like my keen. I had some Merrill that did not last very long. But if seems that my 220lb carcass tends to kill shoes rather easily.
Weird I hav the opposite problem. I've killed Ken's within 2 weeks. The Merrells I wear everday are still going strong after 6 months. And my 300lb carcass ain't easy on shoes.
 
Merrils or keen will serve you well. I had a pair of new ballence all terrains that lasted a long time. Find somthing that fits and not from Wal-Mart.
 
Do yourself a favor and get a pair of Danners. They are pricey but last and are very comfortable.
 
I hate to be that guy who doesn't give you the black and white answer you'd hope for: but it really is specific to each and every person and your intended use.

If you're doing some backwoods excursions where you're miles from anywhere and your general wellbeing and survival depends on you alone, spend some heavy dough and don't cheap out. This also goes for carrying any loads for a multi-day hike/camp.

If you're a day hiker, go with more of the shoe style (as opposed to a boot where you'll only wear it while hiking and no other use/times).

As far as brands:
I bought a pair of mid-level (~$150) Merrells back in 2005. They were fantastic: as waterproof as a duck's butthole, felt like a pillow wrapped around my feet. Fast Forward to a couple years ago (and about one good 15-mile hike per year--relatively light use in my opinion), the plastic trim/support pieces on the outside decided they'd had enough and dry rotted and cracked--some even fell completely off. On a whim, I contacted Merrell to inquire about their "lifetime" warranty. They told me their definition of "lifetime" is approximately 3 years--but since I'd never made a claim with them, they'd let me send the boots in and pick out anything I want from their inventory. I picked an equivalent style boot and sent my old trusty's in. I had heard some people complain about Merrell's apparent shift in manufacturing and quality of boots, and I passed it off of over-critical people. I think there is some truth to it. These $200 fancy moon boots I've got now are nowhere near the comfort and perceived quality of my old boots. They're not junk, but they're just not the same. In hindsight, I should have repaired my old ones and kept them...they were just getting broken in!!!

All that said, I use Merrell slip-ons almost exclusively in the office because of looks, ruggedness, and ease of switching between office shoes and field boots.

As for Keens, they are my go-to outside of work shoe. They don't work well in the office because of the big goofy toe guard. I've not tried them in a true hiking boot, but for a day hiker, they're great. Their insoles are some of the best in the business. The downside to that is Keen does not sell their factory insoles, so once they wear out (which is bound to be before the exterior of the shoe), you're back to what the rest of the world has to offer.

If this is a one-off trip and you don't hike often, don't blow a huge wad of cash like some will have you believe you should do. Find a balance between reputation, price, and fit. Don't cheap out (because crappy shoes can ruin a hike), but don't come home with a $200 pair of boots that are only meant for mountaintops. Opt for some day hikers that can double as non-work shoes. In any case, get them a few months before the trip and wear them as much as possible to break them in. Don't be the guy on the trail with new tags still on your boots.
 
I used to be a fan of Merrells however found my last few pairs wouldn't make it past a year before they were wrecked and that's just daily use, not anything extreme. I have a pair of leather Keen hiking boots and they are super comfortable, little heavy but I've been happy with them.
I wear Solomons at work and have been happy with them. I bought a pair of their hiking boots and like them better than the Keens.

Best thing you can do is go to a store and try on several different types and brands, find what works for you. And don't just try them on.... actually spend some time in them, move around, flex your feet and see how they feel actually using them.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
About a month ago I got a pair of Salomon trail runners for work wear. Some of the best shoes I have ever worn. My next hikers will be Salomon.

I had a pair of Merrell; funky fit, ripped fairly easily. Against my instincts I got a pair of Merrell Gore-Tex low-cut hiking shoes, because they were $60 on Amazon. They are 'meh.' I love Lowa and Scarpa. But if that trail (and trails like it) are what you are going to be doing, you do not need to drop mega-$ on hikers.

Edited to add: if you want to save money, look at REI Garage (on their website), Moose Jaw, and even LA Police Gear (saw Salomon Pro for $75ish); last year's "close-outs" get dropped 50% or more.
 
Last edited:
For a serious hiker I'd vote Danner. If Zion is rocky look for something with a shank, rock bruises will ruin life til you can get off your feet a few days. If you're really going to be scrambling over rocks or carrying more than about 40lbs I'd suggest getting more into a boot or higher top for some ankle support.

For a fairly lightweight shoe, Merrel served me well for about a year, seams were fraying and the soles were wearing at that point, I wore them another two before leather started tearing, the soles were slick, and the insoles and foam completely wasted. For that first year though, very comfortable. I found them on sale under $100.

My current woods/yard/range shoe is a Salomon, six months in and other than some creases zero signs of wear, seriously not one loose or frayed thread, insoles and arch support are fantastic, and first waterproof shoe I've had that didn't have my socks soaked in a couple hours on a hot day. Found these on sale for like $60.

IIRC Asolo was the tier one boot a few year back, I'm too likely to do something dumb and ruin them to spend that on footwear though.
 
Merrils are nice. I really liked my Vasque hiking boots though.
 
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/angels-landing-trail
This is the trail I want to do.
For me, this will be somewhat of an extreme hike. But it's only 5ml round trip.
But no, I don't hike on a regular basis.
Thanks for the input. I think I'll check out the hippies at Friendly Center this weekend.
For that trail and the lack of hiking at least once per month, I'd go with a shoe-style hiker that can be work to the range, store, weekend type stuff. A big tall and bulky boot will serve you no purpose until it snows outside. That's a lot of money to let sit in the closet for 11.75 months a year.

The Keen Targhee II is great, and it comes in a low and mid option: https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&k...gid=kwd-2243124972&ref=pd_sl_2xthle90cq_e_p20
I got three solid years of weekend/evening (i.e. out of the office) use, with occasional day hikes with these shoes.

They also make a lighter version of the Targhee II called the Voyageur: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...id=YKGBKB9ER3T8&rh=i:aps,k:keen+voyageur+mens
It's a little more vented and lightweight. Not waterproof. I currently own these and they're every bit as good as the Targhee II.
 
Last edited:
I've hiked in everything from super light approach shoes to heavy weight plastic mountaineering boots. It really depends on what trail you are on and how much load you are carrying.

For all around use, I like something light but with decent ankle and foot support. Something like a vasque sundowner. Great light weight boots.

If you are just hiking around the park without carrying an overnight backpack, I'd recommend a good pair of low top hikers or approach shoes. Brand really depends on what fits your feet. Lowa, vasque, scarpa, asolo, etc etc etc.

Zion will probably be good with either the boots or low cut hikers.

If you are going to be going up some big mountains with lots of snow and loose rock, get the big boots out. I recently resoled my La Sportiva Makalu's and I will be sad when I eventually have to replace them.
 
I like Merrell for lightweight and Limmer for mid weight. I'm too old for heavy boots anymore.
 
Well, I went to REI and the very nice lady spent all the time I needed to find what I liked.
After all was said and done, I must have tried on, and walked in eight different shoes.
I didn't come home with the prom queen, but I came home with the one that felt the best to me
with my eyes closed. :) I got the Keen Voyageur Mid.
By the way. You granola crunching hikers have little bitch feet.
I ended up with a 13 wide to fit me.
@BurnedOutGeek is the shoe in that picture yours, or the wife?
What dainty little feet you have.:p
Thanks for all the advice.
 
Well, I went to REI and the very nice lady spent all the time I needed to find what I liked.
After all was said and done, I must have tried on, and walked in eight different shoes.
I didn't come home with the prom queen, but I came home with the one that felt the best to me
with my eyes closed. :) I got the Keen Voyageur Mid.
By the way. You granola crunching hikers have little bitch feet.
I ended up with a 13 wide to fit me.
@BurnedOutGeek is the shoe in that picture yours, or the wife?
What dainty little feet you have.:p
Thanks for all the advice.
There my 11's.

The 13 year old minion has surpassed me with an 11.5 with his latest acquisition.
 
That's the new version. Close but definitely not the same for some reason. Not cleaned from last hike, obviously a muddy trip. Lol

View attachment 20484

For many, many years the Vasque "Sundowner" was the number one shoe for hiking the AT. This appears to be a rendition of that shoe. I have owned many pairs of these in my life. I thought they had stopped making them. It was BY FAR the best hiking shoe I have ever worn for rough terrain. Best of luck to the OP on finding a great option. I would stick to at least a 6" upper.
 
I'm a fan of Merrell, but not necessarily all of them. I've had three pairs- two I loved, one I hated. I have a pair now that I really like. I'm heavy and am hard on shoes, and I found that they wear out fairly quickly, but they are the only hiking shoes that don't make my feet hurt hauling my 260 lbs. around. I also have a pair of Under Armour hiking boots and Wolverine work boots that I wear sometimes, but still prefer my Merrells.
 
@BASIL , you can't go wrong with Chaco boots, though you'll pay a premium for them. Very comfortable, supportive, and an aggressive, sticky sole.

And enjoy your trip ... I'll be kind of out that way too in October, doing a week-long backpacking trip through Death Valley.
 
Yes: good point. Good socks can make a good shoe/boot great. Bad/crappy socks can mak a great boot crap.

Consider a liner sock with a good wool sock overtop of it. Even for seemingly simple day hikes. Once you've blistered, the rest of the trip is ruined.
 
I'll try Salomon or Keen next. I got a nice pair of Gore Tex Merrill ankle height boots. I wore them ONE winter season and the sole separated on both shoots where they bent at the toe. Both sides of both boots


The Tali always wore these shoes called Cheetahs and they could rock around those mountains like no ones business. Might be onto something
 
I've got new Salomons and looked at a pair of US made Keens today. I think those may be in my future soon.
 
Back
Top Bottom