View Full Version : Mid boots hiking vs backpacking
Recently, after backpacking my 5th weekend trip, I decided to look for some WP mid boots so I could hike in Dolly Sods and areas like it without getting completely soaked feet. Right now I just wear some Merrell Geomorph Blaze shoes.
Not here to debate whether to buy waterproof shoes, but rather, to ask about the hiking vs backpacking designation on the boots.
On many of the sites I am looking, the description on the (mainly) lower priced boots says they are meant for light duty hiking. I am not sure why they wouldn't work for backpacking just because they are light duty...trail runners are used all the time by backpackers, and I am guessing my Geomorphs are light duty hikers as well, just not waterproof.
Any insight from those who wear boots is welcome. I am on a very tight budget, so I am looking for lower priced ones similar to these:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Hiking-Boots/Mens-Mid-High-Hiking-Boots%7C/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104383080/i/104104980/Keen8482-Siskiyou-Waterproof-Camo-Mid-Hikers/1323568.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3F N%3D1101188%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BMM&WTz_l=SBC%3BMM%3Bcat104104980
Old Hiker
09-11-2013, 17:07
http://www.amazon.com/Timberland-15130-Chocurua-Trail-Brown/dp/B000VX03IU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1378933587&sr=8-4&keywords=timberland+chocorua
On my 4th or 5th pair - 2 waiting in the closet for my next AT thru attempt. I'm of an age where you wore boots. I like them - waterproof deluxe and only took about a day to dry out while hiking.
http://www.amazon.com/Timberland-15130-Chocurua-Trail-Brown/dp/B000VX03IU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1378933587&sr=8-4&keywords=timberland+chocorua
On my 4th or 5th pair - 2 waiting in the closet for my next AT thru attempt. I'm of an age where you wore boots. I like them - waterproof deluxe and only took about a day to dry out while hiking.
Thanks, OH! So the waterproofing was decent I take it? I am so tired of hiking in bogs in my Geomorphs and having all my group members saying their feet didn't get wet at all! lol
kayak karl
09-11-2013, 17:20
i wear keen boots for work and i have hike in them in the winter. i like them but they fail rather quick. i wore a pair like these (http://www.newbalance.com/Dunham-Cloud/884577627064,default,pd.html?start=9&cgid=104000) mine were NB 1021 (Discontinued) i got 800 miles out of them. last 100 needed Shoe-Goo.
Edit: they were NB 1201 (http://www.englinsfinefootwear.com/new-balance-mens-1201-brown/?ref=lexity&_vs=google&_vm=productsearch&adtype=pla&gclid=CJjZncymxLkCFQ3NOgod3EQA8A) Sorry!
It seems like at least 2 of you use light duty boots to backpack in.
Here is the actual verbiage for the Chocorura's: A performance day hiker for rugged on- and off- trail use in wet or inclement weather.
kayak karl
09-11-2013, 17:51
i use heavy duty for work. maybe they are using Tippi as their norm for backpacking :)
BASED ON WHAT FOLKS HERE DO WITH SUB-30 POUND LOADS, anything goes as far as footwear is concerned.
My educated guess as far as the makers are concerned: The Lawyers make them say "light duty day hiking."
A person is free to wear anything they please. Including nothing.
As for waterproof and any shoe, boot, etc. with a mile or more of stitching: Ain't happening for long in my experience.
YMMV.
Wayne
i use heavy duty for work. maybe they are using Tippi as their norm for backpacking :)
Yeah, maybe he is a product tester and if the shoe fails, they call it light-duty!
BASED ON WHAT FOLKS HERE DO WITH SUB-30 POUND LOADS, anything goes as far as footwear is concerned.
My educated guess as far as the makers are concerned: The Lawyers make them say "light duty day hiking."
A person is free to wear anything they please. Including nothing.
As for waterproof and any shoe, boot, etc. with a mile or more of stitching: Ain't happening for long in my experience.
YMMV.
Wayne
I bet that's exactly right, just a CYA ploy.
On the waterproofing, I have backpacked with a guy at the bogs of Dolly Sods twice, and the Lumberjack Trail (100% mud) at Spruce Knob this past weekend, and he has had bone dry feet all 3 times with his Vasque's. You may be right though, that after a while, the waterproofing fails.
http://www.shoes.com/en-US/Product/81520-5213451/Teva/Black/Mens+Gannett+Mid.aspx Teva Men's Gannett mid, worked great for me; but many a blisters. Nothing seems to be waterproof for me. These did wick sweat away but also dried fast too. They have their own brand of Gore-Tex 'like' product.
I like the Timberlands mentioned by Old Hiker, $85 with 300 reviews averaging 4.3 or so...
Also, REI is having a special on these online for half price...anyone wear them? I am tempted to buy them before they go off of sale and return them if they don't fit. I wish the store were closer to us. Nearest one is 115 miles away.
http://www.rei.com/product/807296/ahnu-elkridge-mid-event-hiking-boots-mens#pr-header-807296
My wife and I are going to spend some time trying on boots at the big box places where you don't need a clerk this weekend just for fun.
What about gore-tex socks as an alternative? I have never used them personally, so I can't speak to reliability, comfort, etc., but if you like your trail runners and only want boots to keep your feet dry in the Sods, it may be worth a look.
Boots like this have been keeping cajun feet dry for decades...
23957
Wayne
What about gore-tex socks as an alternative? I have never used them personally, so I can't speak to reliability, comfort, etc., but if you like your trail runners and only want boots to keep your feet dry in the Sods, it may be worth a look.
Definitely a reasonable alternative. There are lots of advantages to being able to just use the Goretex when you need it, and to being able to dry the socks separately from the shoes. The socks will fail too eventually.
Personally, I hiked with waterproof boots for years, and now would only use them for day trips, or overnights, or in the "real" winter. For longer stretches I prefer something lighter and more breathable.