souch

Am looking for hiking boots and willing to make a small(w/in reason) investment in some that are durable. Will be doing some hiking in AZ, NM, CO. Have tried on some Hi tech (don't know anything about their quality) and Columbia. I'm new at this way of communicating/seeking info, but love reading about everyone's travel experiences!!!!

cmcfong

Both brands you mention are quite durable. I think the biggest issue is finding a line which gives you a good fit. I usually wear a Merrell or Vasquez boot because of my high arches, but for an inexpensive day hiker, the Lands End boots are very good.

J62

I've found that shoe stores like DSW often have a good collection of hiking shoes at good prices. I've had both HiTech & Columbia that have lasted for years.

Barblab

Go to REI.com and you can get all kinds of info and advice on hiking boots, as well as other outdoor equipment. Do a search for their store locations and if one is in your area I suggest you go there. They have a 100% guarentee for all their equipment. Like the previous poster I too wear Merrell. For me there was no break in period. Whatever you get be sure they are comfortable and waterproof.

mlgb

I have flat feet and the Timberland Brand works well for me.

If you're not doing any intense hiking, or don't have weak ankles that you need to protect, you might do just fine with a low-rise trail runner, which are lighter weight and would keep your feet cooler than a full hiking boot.

enzian

Your first consideration should be fit and comfort. I hike a LOT and have only worn out two pair of hiking boots in my life (after at least a thousand miles each). My current boots have been to the bottom of the Grand Canyon twice, all over the Alps, Dolomites, Yosemite, and the Washington Cascades, and are still fine. These are leather boots.

The newer hybrid boots (a hiking boot with running shoe technology, part mesh rather than all leather) will not be quite as durable as that, but will be more comfortable and need little breaking in. This is the type of boot you will want for the Southwest. Something like this:

http://www.rei.com/product/747206

But don't buy on-line; you need to go to a good outdoor store and try them on. A knowledgeable salesperson should be able to help you choose the style and get the right fit. Make sure that your toes do not hit the front of the boot when you are walking downhill. They can be "mid" rather than ankle-height if you don't need the extra support. Low trail shoes often get sand and grit in them, so I don't wear those in canyon country.

My husband bought a pair of Hi-Tec boots and they fell apart after a few weeks, so I'm not fond of that brand.

Brands I do like are Merrell, Vasque, La Sportiva (for narrow feet), Asolo, and Raichle (but I don't think they make a lightweight one). Merrells are probably the easiest to find. My husband loves his Keens, which are good for wider feet.

The right sox are just as important as the boots. Smartwool hiking sox have become my favorites, even for the Grand Canyon. I also like Wright "anti-blister" sox, and Thorlo Coolmax hiking sox. Do not wear cotton sox---they do not wick moisture away from your feet, and are much more likely to cause blisters.

cmcfong

Enzian, we are huge Smartwool fans here, too. They make a tremendous difference!

sludick

I have 3 pairs. One pair is Timberland, which I have worn at work to (telecom) job sites for years. They are leather and while not safety toed, do give me good protection. Another pair is Merrell -- bought them for fall hiking in Banff. The size isn't quite right for me if I am not wearing two pair of socks for Rocky Mountain style hiking. Also I found (too late) that they tend to chafe my Achilles tendon after a few hours steady hiking. But they are waterproof, leather,and excellent quality. The third pair is Red Head -- that's a Bass Pro store brand. It's a more lightweight mixture of leather and breathable mesh, and they have been just great for general day hiking. They all protect my ankles and are good for uneven terrain.

Others gave me some good advice on this forum and gave you the same -- no matter how tempting, do not buy these online. Different feet all fit differently. Go to a store, get your smartwool socks on, and wear them. They won't think you are strange for wanting to wear them for a while; they may let you run around the store in them. I think for the areas you plan to hike that I'd stay away from all leather boots. I think enzian gave you some particularly good advice.

sludick

Oh, yeah, one more thing -- make sure the soles have good tread, for traction.

mlgb

Here's an example of the sort of shoe I like for warm weather easy to moderate hiking. I hiked the 33k Milford Track in this type of shoe.

http://www.timberland.com/product/in...entPage=family

Look for Vibram soles if you're ever going to use them somewhere that there might be slippery rocks.

Because I don't have good arches I look for something with a stiff sole.

Use lambswool around your toes if your feet aren't tough or if you are doing a lot of downhill walking.

souch

Thanks for all of the info! I do have a bit of preparation to get done, so that my DH and I can be properly "footed". We did order a few pairs of boots just to start trying some out, but will most likely send them all back ASAP. We just have to find time to go to the next town, as we live in a smaller one that doesn't carry as much.
Once we find the right boots, would it be wise to walk the treadmill in them at the place that we work out? And what type of routine would be best on the treadmill to get in to optimum shape (We are really just beginning to make a small dent- like being able to shovel the 10" of snow that we just had this week with much less effort than last year!!)? All of the advice is much appreciated.

easytraveler

If you go to an REI store as enzian has suggested, they will not only let you try on the boots and walk around the store, they will also let you take the boots home and try walking around the house with them on.

As long as you bring the boots back without soiling, etc., you can even return the boots if they really don't fit well.

You really have to find something that you feel comfortable walking around in for hours.

At REI I found that my two feet are not the same, so they let me try on several pairs until I found a good fit for the right foot from one pair and a good fit for the left foot from another pair and they let me put together my own pair!

I love the wool socks even in summer because they are so soft and further protect my feet.

The boots should be slightly bigger to allow for wool socks and for some slight swelling of your feet during hiking.

I LOVE my Merrells!

luvtravl

Merrell boots with Smartwool socks all the way!

sharondi

Check out Eastern Mountain Sports - for our southwest hiking trips, I found a lightweight, ventilated boot from Vasque on sale last year. It was perfect! Much better than a heavier Scarpa boot that I used on an earlier trip.

The Vasque boot has a gore tex liner that keeps your foot dry too. It is the best hiking boot I've had yet for southwest trips.

The Merrell ventilators that enzian suggested are also a great choice. I'd just suggest going with a boot over a shoe for the ankle protection/support. My lightweight Vasque's needed no break in at all.

Barblab

I really do hope you have an REI store near you as their selection and commitment to fitting you is awesome. Their 100% gaurentee allows you to return the boots AFTER you have worn them if they do not satisfy you. Of course hopefully you fine the perfect boots for your trip without having to go through the agony of foot problems on your hikes!

There is such a great selection of lighter weight hiking boots today you should not have a problem finding some to fit.In the days of old the choice was heavy leather backpacking boats that required waterproofing and breaking in. The advancements in comfort and materials today make most comfortable from day one.

As for preparing for your trip try to put in as many miles as you can on trails, including as much elevation change as you can find. Your boots will last longer if you do not wear them on manmade hard surfaces as it wears the soles down.

Have a great time on your trip!

enzian

To train for hiking (and break in the boots) you need to do some hills. Cranking up the incline on the treadmill would help, but also try to get outside and walk some hills. (I am fortunate in that we live on a steep hill, so it's easy to do; I hope you can find one nearby too).

Sludick---to ease the chafing on your Achilles, you might try "breaking down" the back of the boots. Hold one boot with the heel facing you; put your thumbs on the heel and press inward (repeatedly) to flex and hopefully soften it. This has worked for me. (If nothing else, it will strengthen your thumbs!)

Also, if you have added insoles (like Superfeet or others), they may raise your heel above the natural heel pocket. I have cured heel rubbing in one pair of boots (my La Sportivas) by switching insoles.

Myer

I went to Utah and Arizona last June and went thru &^%&%%^ trying to get what was comfortable.

I finally ended up with a pair of Hi Techs (after trying many different sizes).

They were fine. I wore them for a week straight and they're in good shape.

I'll be using them again this May.

I tried Merrells but just couldn't get comfortable with them

I walk in them outside a few times before going on the trip.

mlgb

I've worn my hiking boots around the house and pretty much all day to "break them in". If you go for something that isn't all leather (one of the mesh/leather combos) however, if they don't feel comfortable right away I would return them. The boot doesn't really break in, but your feet might develop some calluses in the spots that would otherwise blister.

Add some thigh and knee strengthening exercises if you're going to be doing downhill walking, as well as a lot of stretching. Balancing yoga poses and lunges are good. Downhill is usually what does you in. For uphill, you can just go slower if you're not in shape.

sludick

Thanks, enzian! I'm going to get my Merrells and work on them right now. I'll also try the added insole suggestion. They are such great boots otherwise.

maj

Best investment I have made was in my trekking poles. Especially going downhill.