View Full Version : Boots
redheadedhiker674
10-26-2011, 01:29
What kind of boots should I wear in the winter? I'm starting mid-late february.
not sure what kind of advice you are looking for here? Brandwise, I had 4 different pairs on my hikes (I prefer boots too) and by far the best (most durable/comfortable) for me was made by Asolo. However they may not work for you. I don't wear Nike shoes because they generally don't fit me well but they obviously will work for many others. You will also get advice from well-meaning posters to stick with the trail runners.
I started in February and wore breathable (not waterproof) trail runners the entire time. With good wool socks your feet won't get cold even in deep snow. Worked for me.
I should have finished reading 4-shot's post before posting myself. I guess I am that "well-meaning" guy, haha. Sounds a bit condescending but perhaps he did not intend it that way. Anyway, you will get advice from "well-meaning" posters who will tell you that wearing breathable trail runners in the snow is crazy. Just know that there are many successful thru-hikers every year that do stick to the runners and yes, it does work just fine. Some people don't like it. That's entirely up to you and only personal experience will give you the ultimate answer.
Jim Adams
10-26-2011, 14:45
Why so early? Leaving just 3 weeks later can make a huge difference in gear needed including boots.
geek
Why so early? Leaving just 3 weeks later can make a huge difference in gear needed including boots.
geek
This has been discussed here before. Thanks for bringing it up, Jim.
Every year folks start off very early in the season, much earlier than necessary as Katahdin closes for hikers on Oct. 15th. Often they are snowbound in shelters or off-trail in towns for days at a time, which can add up to a week or more. If you start that much later (a week or more), you can get by with lighter shoes/boots, fewer clothing articles, a lighter tent, etc, etc, and not arrive in Maine any later than the person who started a week or two ahead of you with a heavier load.
Many successful thruhikes (including the 1970 hike by Ed Garvey, age 56 at the time) have started in mid-April, with a week or more off to visit relatives, R&R, etc, still making it to Katahdin with time left over.
Maybe it's "what's expected" of thruhikers in the current years that gets them off to such an early start, or the romantic notion that hiking distances in snow can be, well, romantic in some masochistic way. :D
redheadedhiker674
10-27-2011, 02:48
4shot, I don't know if I should get waterproof or what brands are the best. I will look into Asolos, thanks. Sensei, I'm not too thrilled about the idea of trail runners in the snow. Cold feet..yikes. Jim, I need to be done with my hike early August for school. Also, winter camping is fun. I'd rather be cold than hot, so more time I can spend in cooler weather, the better.
Another option is to use breathable shoes or boots and waterproof socks for when it's really sloppy. Dirt, and sweat salts and oils contaminate laminates and they will leak eventually - besides, Gore coats their Goretex membrane with polyurethane to try to slow down the contamination process, further decreasing the so-called "breathability" of the laminate (I'm not sure what other wp/b laminate makers do. In footwear, I think I'd opt for fully waterproof if I thought I'd need it (which I don't). Sooner or later your expensive boots will leak, and you can't wash and retreat Goretex in boots like you can in clothing. Go with Sealskinz or Rocky socks. I use Sealskinz (but only when it's muddy or there's 6 or more inches of snow).
ChinMusic
10-27-2011, 11:19
4shot, I don't know if I should get waterproof or what brands are the best. I will look into Asolos, thanks. Sensei, I'm not too thrilled about the idea of trail runners in the snow.
Waterproof boots are great for day/weekend hikes. You WILL get your waterproof boots wet on a thru hike. It is a fact of life. Once they are wet they are MUCH harder to dry out. I would go with a model that is breathable if I were set on a boot. FTR, I am a trail runner guy for winter as well.
Gaiters will help to keep deeper snow from getting in the top of the boot, and WELL worth it for that time of year. I only use gaiters is snow.
Mr. Clean
10-27-2011, 14:21
As a fellow Mainer, here is my advice. Go on a few overnights in the White mtns or in Maine and see how your current shoes work. Do you wear sneakers or boots now? You are young (compared to me) and may not need boots. For me they are a neccessity as I need the support. Everyone is different and you should just try different footwear. I have low-cut trail runners with good support, but for hiking, they just don't feel right to me - I like the mid-height boots.
Only you can know what you like, and find out on some overnight/weekend hikes.
No other hiking footwear than Salomon for me. I used their 4D Quest GTX boot for 900ish miles of my trip. Amazing boots. Though they are a bit pricey I think they are worth it.
I think you should consider these -- or trail runners (which is what most people wear)
http://www.google.com/intl/en_ALL/images/logos/images_logo_sm.gif (http://www.google.com/imgres?q=armor+boots&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&biw=1812&bih=879&tbm=isch&tbnid=5vIzZxKtrslo8M:&imgrefurl=http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-fantasy-armored-boots-model/500130&docid=VFifmIvvhmnHRM&imgurl=http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_2009_11_20__16_09_23/sboots_04B.jpg1e8b5e8f-3621-4835-84b5-8fafc7e7a1a9Larger.jpg&w=532&h=600&ei=eUWzTrXGOYKWtwf4_43TAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1132&vpy=337&dur=86&hovh=238&hovw=211&tx=77&ty=165&sig=101666084253914199405&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=157&tbnw=139&start=0&ndsp=40&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:0#)Website for this image (http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-fantasy-armored-boots-model/500130)3d fantasy armored boots ...
turbosquid.com
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532 × 600 (Same size), 101KB
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[URL="http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-fantasy-armored-boots-model/500130"] (http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-fantasy-armored-boots-model/500130)
I guess you wouldn't need gaiters with those.:-?
Emerald
At least you would be snake safe in those!!!
ChinMusic
11-07-2011, 18:08
Might those be good for PA?
nitewalker
11-07-2011, 18:22
your gonna need an oil can with those.
IF you get these AND want to be considered ultralight (which is synonomous with cool and sexy btw), I suggest you drill some holes in them and go over them 2-3 times with a grinder. I did that and shaved 3 grams off of mine, that's even after I put a coat of WD-40 on them.The grinder and lubricant shines them up enough so that you can use them as a mirror as well. this increases functionality. Take 2 wire mesh screens trimmed to the diameter of the boot tops and finally, you have a pair of mice-proof food containers when u stay at a shelter. Don't thank me, just pay it forward.
Those the new AT Snake Boots?
redheadedhiker674
01-04-2012, 21:53
EL OH EL. Thanks for the laugh, Papa D. I'm leaning more towards the trail runners side the more I think about it. It just seems easier. But I'm gonna go hiking in both to see which one I like better.
I like to use synthetic material gortex scarpa boots. They are very heavy but I like the ankle support, overall comfort, and they have been waterproof for me. But I also use Inov-8 talon 212 running shoes which are the other end of the spectrum so go figure. When hiking I usually stick to the scarpas because most trails near me are very rocky and I prefer the boots for that. Although Inov-8 talon 212 and seal skins might be the ultimate footwear. Anyone know how much seal skin socks weight and any local outfitters that carry them? I like to try on a pair.
Creek Dancer
01-05-2012, 11:36
If you decide on boots, just remember that some boots need to broken-in before hitting the trail.