where are the good hiking boots?

[Mr. Clean]

The Beans Crests hikers have a 1500 mile rating as opposed to 500 for most other boots. They are heavy, but your feet will love them. Give them a chance to break in.

[Zigzag]

Started in the 60's with heavy leather Fabiano's (still have them. Bought custum Limmer's in the 70's, sold them on consignment at Limmer's 10 years ago (I live near North Conway). 8 years ago I switched to non-waterproof trailrunners with mixed success. The original post mentioned not only wide feet but a roomy toebox. Few makers offer this, most are still built with a European last, narrow front to back. I have a few pairs of Keens which I am not sold on yet. Also have new Patagonia Drifter AC mids which are a little heavier than I am used to but are available in a non-waterproof boot. Probably 25 pairs of boots in my closet. My wife likes Oboz's, I have had good luck day-hiking with Salamons. The White's are a great test for any boot. Bottom line; buy what fits.

[88BlueGT]

I feel your pain with finding good boots. I have gone through 4 different pairs in the last few months and have yet to find something I'm happy with. Had a pair of Solomon XA Pro's, too narrow and just didn't fit right. Sold them. Spent $135 on a pair of Brooks Adrenalin GTX trail runners, not sturdy enough. Used a pair of Merrel Moab's last weekend and found out they are NOT waterproof (my soaked/wet toes can confirm). Also have a brand new pair of Oboz Sawtooth BDry's sitting in the box. Seem sturdy but also feel like I have bricks attached to the bottom of my feet.

Let me know how your boot search goes, you're not the only one unfortunately

[Venchka]

A friend of mine just got a full refund on a pair of Keen Voyageur shoes. The uppers & lowers began separating after 40 miles as recorded by his calibrated pedometer. He also bought a pair of Vasque boots at the same time. They worked perfectly on a recent one week trip to Big Bend National & State Parks.

Wayne

[88BlueGT]

^^ Most people I hike with wear Vasque's and love them to death. May have to pick myself up a pair.

[Namtrag]

I tried on Vasque's and they didn't feel right, but I agree, many people have them and seem to love them.

I ended up in a pair of Oboz Yellowstone II's and absolutely love the fit. They fit true to size for once! lol

[88BlueGT]

I tried on Vasque's and they didn't feel right, but I agree, many people have them and seem to love them.

I ended up in a pair of Oboz Yellowstone II's and absolutely love the fit. They fit true to size for once! lol

I have a brand new pair of Oboz Sawtoth BDRY's right now that I want to try out. They fit well but have VERY stiff soles.... almost like I have a plate or a brick under my foot. Are the Yellowstones the same way?

[Namtrag]

I have a brand new pair of Oboz Sawtoth BDRY's right now that I want to try out. They fit well but have VERY stiff soles.... almost like I have a plate or a brick under my foot. Are the Yellowstones the same way?

If those are the new model that is the same price ($140ish), and has mesh instead of leather, they didn't fit nearly as well on me as the Yellowstones. They felt tight in the toebox vertically on my feet, so I didn't keep them on long enough to check on the sole stiffness.

I will say the Yellowstones are pretty stiff, but I like them like that. They are getting a little less stiff each time I wear them as well.

[88BlueGT]

If those are the new model that is the same price ($140ish), and has mesh instead of leather, they didn't fit nearly as well on me as the Yellowstones. They felt tight in the toebox vertically on my feet, so I didn't keep them on long enough to check on the sole stiffness.

I will say the Yellowstones are pretty stiff, but I like them like that. They are getting a little less stiff each time I wear them as well.

My feet are a bit narrow so it does not bother me but the guy at EMS (where I bought them) did let me know that they are definitely a narrow boot w/ limited room in the toe box. I feel like these things will be a pain to break in and take forever.

[Namtrag]

The Yellowstones are substantially roomier in the toe box

[78owl]

ilovemy OBOZ

[JackJack96]

Has anyone tried the Barefoot Trail Run Ascend Glove w/ Gore-Tex by Merrell?

[misterfloyd]

Hello to all,

I bought the LLbean Cresta Hikers. They are a little heavier than my Keen Trarghees but they fit very well and are comfortable. I wore them on a 2 night hike to MT. Mitchell and they did very well. I did not feel every rock or tree root. With the Darn tough socks I have and with a sock liner they are warm. That is my only main concern with them. They are well broken in, and they accomadate my wide feet. I might have to investigate different socks however. I do have the lightest pair From DT so I don't know where to go from there.

Mister floyd

[Seatbelt]

Hello to all,

I bought the LLbean Cresta Hikers. They are a little heavier than my Keen Trarghees but they fit very well and are comfortable. I wore them on a 2 night hike to MT. Mitchell and they did very well. I did not feel every rock or tree root. With the Darn tough socks I have and with a sock liner they are warm. That is my only main concern with them. They are well broken in, and they accomadate my wide feet. I might have to investigate different socks however. I do have the lightest pair From DT so I don't know where to go from there.

Mister floyd

Thanks for the update, I tried a new pair of Vasque boots this summer and my feet did not fare well in them(blisters)--maybe too small. Broke down again and bought another pair of Keens and went hiking in them 2 weeks ago--no problems--my feet may just be spoiled by the fit....?? Would be interested in another update about the LL Beans in the future. Seatbelt

[Tractor]

I found ECCO boots to have a wide toe box as "standard".

[Dogwood]

Thanx for returning my ph call. "They were wearing out in the lugs on both feet, and also in the brake on the heel. by the time I got off the section of the AT they were pretty worn down nothing left to grip. They started seperating in the narrow section joining the upper and the lower part of the sole. They also started seperating on someplaces on the lower rand." I have not experienced anywhere near the level of wear you say you have in only 500 miles with the Keen Targhees on highly abrasive underfoot UL hikes. However, I have noticed chunks/small pieces of lug material removed after only 500 miles;I have never had a lug fall off or quickly wear down smooth though. In my usage, this is more of a cosmetic issue rather than functional issue though. The sole in the area of the rear of the heel is also rather quick to noticeably wear. Perhaps, this has more to do with our particular walking mechanics? The Targhee has evolved both in construction methods in some regard and in basic construction materials. For example, the adhesives used went to several stages where Keen experimented with more environmentally sensitive adhesives and later switched adhesives. I tell you this as I also experienced some delamination(separating) in the rand area as well BUT with older model Targhees. KEEN has since addressed this and IMO corrected the issue by changing adhesives in the more recent pars of Targhees. IMO, this is quite evident in that I don't have delamination issues like I used to. I think this is one reason why KEEN marketed it's newer improved Targhees as Targhee II's AND KEEN OR REI replaced my older versions at no expense to me after I contacted them and kindly made note of the issues I was having. Also, know that the KEEN Voyager is basically the non-WP version of the WP Targhee. Interestingly enough I've NEVER had delamination issues in several prs of Voyagers. Maybe Maybe the adhesives used in each model, the Targhees and Voyagers, have never been the same. You might try Voyagers if all other things have worked for you with the Targhees. Fit is almost always the most important factor for me in a hiking shoe! If they fit you so well as you say you too may consider that.

[DandT40]

I wear Vasque Wasatch GTX boots and love them - http://www.rei.com/product/721359/va...ing-boots-mens That is a hell of price too if you need 10's or 10.5's. They must be coming out with a new series. But I also bought some brooks cascadias that I wear for trail running and day hiking, but I have a really hard time leaving the Vasque's behind for backpacking because they are so comfortable and keep my feet completely dry.

[misterfloyd]

So.....

I'm walking in Gorges state park and get to the foothills trail on turkey day. I begin to notice a sharp pain right were the toe box begins and the first eyelet is at. The Beans developed a knife edge right were my toes meet my feet. Needless to say this was killing my feet. I broke in those shoes. I went on broke them in wearing them at work. Hiked Mt. Mitchell trail system, went hiking with my son. I noticed it then but was in denial. Denial is more than a river. Payed for it later.

I sent them back for a refund............. The drama continues......... where does a ugly man with big, wide feet, and from what every shoe specialist has said "you have high volume feet" get a pair of shoe? I'm really looking back at then keens again. Last resort though.

Might change name from misterfloyd to man with big ugly feet!

[busyman]

You may like Lowa Renegade. Lite,comfortable and very well made. Best boot I have ever owned.

Happy Hiking

[misterfloyd]

Tried Lowas, They felt great, lite and comfortable as you mentioned. Too narrow for my feet.

After dealing with MANY different outfitters REI, and others. I'm going to a podiatrist and getting the real scoop on what is the deal with my feet.

I have been suggested to work boots which goes up to 3e and 4e's but they are a different animal altogether.

As you can imagine I have heard many stories from different shoe experts.

Also in caling danner and a few other companies wides are EE I thought they would be E. Extra wide is 3e's. I currently had a pair of keen Tarhees that I took a 6 mile slow hike with me and the Mrs. and my left foot was killing me. SAme size, same company, new boot. So I go to REI and tried on a whole bunch of different size 12s to see if I just got a rummy pair. Nope

I called keen and they said they have in the past two years switched companie that have made thier shoes.....okay....... so I go to REI and try on shoes that are marked wide. the only one that fit well in the store was ASOLO fugatives. Good thing about REI, thier policy, however I never have abused thier policy and tried to size up to 13s. I will try them out this weekend, and see how they do.

What a pain.... literally. Always had good feet have been hiking for a good while.... don't get it?

Floyd