What do you prefer for a trail/hiking shoes/boots?
As far as brands go, I like Merrell and Salomon. I’ve had great success with products from both companies.
The particular style will depend on your personal requirements. Do you want or need waterproofing? How about insulation? Is this a summer or winter or year-round shoe? Do you want a low, mid or boot-type design? That will often depend on how much weight you’ll be carrying.
For general-purpose hiking boots, my favorite is the Merrell Sawtooth. For light hiking in dry weather any of Merrell’s Ventilator series are nice. The ones I have are (I think) called Mesa Ventilators. The Chameleons are nice if you want Gore-Tex waterproofing.
Hope that helps.
Derek
I’ve used a few of the $19.99 Outdoor Gear mid height hikers from Big 5 sporting goods.
They’re cheap and hold up pretty good for shooting, classes, hiking, etc.
As with any piece of gear, it depends on the use. I go hicking in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico a couple times a year and hike the state parks of Texas as often as my schedule will allow. I use Merrells and Danners. I want support but I do not want my shoes to feel blocky. I see alot of Soloman and Asolo being wore by other hikers. Buy shoes that fit well and fit the use that you have planned. Merrell makes some of the REI brand shoes and they are usually a good bargain.
Hope this helps
Dave
I have a pair of Merrill’s but I find them a bit clunky. Several months ago I switched to gortex lined trail shoes from The North Face and haven’t looked back. They are very comfortable and have a very aggressive tread pattern. They are on the expensive side but worth it IMHO.
I’ve worn Merrells for years, for every day wear and hiking/outdoors/hunting/etc. They stand up well, and are available in different sole compositions and patterns and insulation. Recommended.
+1 For Merrell. My mom works for Merrell so my closet is lined with different styles. Right now I take 3 different Pairs overseas with me.
Sawtooth- Very Light Hiking Boot with a very stiff Vibram sole, great ankle support, highly breathable. (I believe these are discontinued).
Reflex II- These are Gore-tex lined, leather outer, 6 inch hiking boots with walking shoe comfort. not very breathable but great in cold/wet weather. No insulation.
Passage II Ventilator- I wear these every day. Extremely breathable, low-cut like a running shoe, wide stable sole, solid leather/mesh design.
hope that helps. I don’t believe there is “1” answer to this question. I try to cover all my mission requirements with 3 different pairs.
I wear Asolo FSN’s. I actually just wore my last pair out. The Asolo’s were great on my feet for several years.
I replaced them with Merrell Ventilators, but don’t have any miles on them yet.
I too have a pair of Merrells that I wear very often. Very comfortable, and very durable. They will surely be what I wear to Pat’s Dec class, most if not all days.
-RD62
Gather some info here and then try and find that one store in your city that has knowledgeable people who can fit you properly. Don’t wed yourself to a brand before you’ve tried a lot of boots/shoes. It is no fun losing toenails because of a poor fitting boot.
I’ll reiterate what I think is really good advice given so far.
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It depends on what you will use them for. You probably won’t need a super stiff shank and sole if you are only using them for low weight and mileage - light hiking etc. Merrells seem to be very popular all around if they fit your needs.
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Try every pair on you can (preferably at a knowledgeable retailer like REI).
Take some time, 10 or 15 min, and walk around the store in each boot. You will discover hot spots and get an idea of fit. If you can’t take time in the store, wear them in your house for an extended period. You’ll get an idea about the comfort and can return them as long as they aren’t dirty. This will take time, but it’s worth doing to save you money and blisters in the long run.
In the end, I bought a pair of Montrail Gore-tex boots after trying 4 or 5 different boots in the store. They offered wide widths and fit me and my needs the best. REI and LL Bean are good values.
Consider replacing the insoles immediately with Superfeet insoles and buy good quality socks like Smartwool or similar. You won’t be sorry.
Good luck.
Like the others have said, try on as many pairs as you can someplace they can properly fit you.
Lightweight I prefer Merrell, mid to heavy weight Asolo.
Thanks alot for the suggestion guys.
I like the Merrill Sawtooth’s. I hope they are not discontinued?
I have used them for classes and for hiking in Alaska on improved tgrails with up to 50 lb. pack. I installed gel soles as well.
I also have the north face hikers and they are comfortable, but are no good for hiking.
I have the Spring 08 Merrell Catalog in front of me- NO Sawtooth. Buy em up if you can now. I hate when good designs get canned. One of the Chief Merrell Designers just died at a fairly young age too.
the store brand stuff from www.rei.com
The North Face hikers are only good for hiking in the concrete jungle. They are comfortable though. As for expensive, i would not know. I got mine at the outlet for $25 a pair. I should have bought more than one pair…
If you can get them there and they are not too expensive for you,
try to get a pair of the socalled “Bergschuh, leicht”
from Meindl, Raichle, Haix or Lowa.
They all manufactur nearly the same kind of trekkingshoe that fits your need!!!
I use them now for the last 10 years!!!
No complaints!!!
How about the Columbia footwear brand or the Garmont T6? Anyone has experience with them?