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What backpacking/hiking boots do you use?

TheNewGuy

30-May-2010
11:54:46 AM

Clarify some stuff for me...

I'm looking to replace my old garmonts (full leather), which are starting to destroy my feet every time i use them, probably coz my feet are a bit wide for them.

I'm going mental looking for info on a decent set of boots. I've tried on a bunch and stomped around in them a bit (scarpas, asolos, vasques etc). I am getting conflicting opinions on everything, and not just the usual "oh i have found X shoes to be more supportive and comfortable" or "these were a bad pair, but Y company replaced them". I'm talking "these are the best shoes, they were made by the hand of god" vs "i walked down to the milkbar and they died halfway" for the same shoe. Maybe a little extreme but you take my meaning.

Some people swear by blundstone steel caps, others that the cheapies in kathmandu/snowgum are the way to go. God forbid you ask anyone about boots made by the north face, i got looks as though i'd farted audibly in an elevator. They all look pretty well made, and it's giving me the shits looking for a pair.

Rant aside...most of my walking isn't in snow, but does get muddy and wet from time to time (wilson's prom/otways mid-winter). Anything up to a week plus with a heavyish pack on mixed terrain.

Enlighten me with your opinions...

One Day Hero

30-May-2010
12:01:28 PM

I've never seen the point in walking boots, what's wrong with bushwalking in sneakers?

TheNewGuy

30-May-2010
12:15:42 PM

my ankles are a little dodgy, and apparently boots give you better support...though with the increase in production of trail shoes for hiking, who knows.


blueskyblonde

30-May-2010
12:27:37 PM

Hey, I have a pair of Scarpa Sl's. I have a narrow foot so they go real well. I have worn them on many walks and recently took them for an 18 day walk in which it rained 10 like 14 of the days. I didn't get any blisters, they very comfortable, sturdy. Very water proof and only got wet feet from condensation in my over pants i think. My buddies also rock the AKU longari GTX i think - the full leather with gore tex lining. They have wider feet and love them. Again, from what i heard they were extremely water proof, comfortable, durable and very well made.

hope this helps...j


wallwombat

30-May-2010
12:39:00 PM

I generally wear approach shoes if I'm walking on tracks and not carrying much of a load but I wear a pair of Aku Taiga hiking boots if I'm carrying a big load or scrub backing or walking up scree slopes etc. I have a couple of screws in my right ankle due to a nasty bouldering fall 10 years ago and I find sometimes I need the extra support.

I picked them up reasonably cheaply on ebay and I really like them. They are probably the best boots I have owned and I've owned Zamberlains and Scarpas before. I don't think I'd go back to full leather boots again. The Aku's are mainly leather anyway, now that I think about it.

Snowgum have them but they aren't cheap.

http://www.snowgum.com.au/shop/product/8535/taiga-gore-tex-unisex

One Day Hero

30-May-2010
12:49:04 PM

On 30/05/2010 TheNewGuy wrote:
>my ankles are a little dodgy, and apparently boots give you better support...though
>with the increase in production of trail shoes for hiking, who knows.

Yeah, I reckon the whole "boots as ankle support" line is a crock of shit. They prevent pissy little rolls but when you finally tip over it's really bad. Walking on round rocks with stiff boots sucks balls and actually causes a lot of stacks, you can't 'wrap' things unless the shoe is flexible.

I also have wide feet, trashed them for a bit trying to walk in boots (cause 90% of bushwalkers can't be wrong, can they?)..........after working out that that 90% of bushwalkers smoke serious crack, I binned the boots and have been much happier


wallwombat

30-May-2010
1:01:19 PM

A lot of boots nowadays aren't stiff. My boots are no stiffer than my 5.10 Mountain Masters . The only real difference is the are high topped and they offer some ankle support, which I need if I'm carrying a heavy load of goon up to Balor Hut.

One Day Hero

30-May-2010
1:07:21 PM

So, this is where I get lost on the boot thing. I know ski boots provide support, no argument there. They provide this support via their stiffness which also makes them clunky and uncomforable.........so, how can a pair of boots which aren't stiff lend any support?

Speaking of stiff, did you watch the Bond film last night? It was the one with George Lazenby (Queanbeyan boy makes good!) Totally outrageous double entendre about "feeling a bit stiff" which went on and on, fcuking classic!


climbingfool

30-May-2010
1:10:11 PM

running shoes.

-not heavy
-not leather
-dry fast
-come off quick
-not clunky

in my opinion there is no need to ever wear leather hiking boots, regardless of what trail you are doing.

barefoot is even better, but you need to get your feet used to it. did Frenchman's Cap hike last year, when we got to the sodden loddens, took off running shoes and went barefoot to the first hut. passed numerous parties in leather boots trying not to get their feet wet!! they arrived at the hut 4 hrs later, with soaken wet, heavy, muddy, leather boots. while we were relaxing checking out the lake in dry warm running shoes.

One Day Hero

30-May-2010
1:11:56 PM


wallwombat

30-May-2010
1:36:21 PM

On 30/05/2010 One Day Hero wrote:
>So, this is where I get lost on the boot thing. I know ski boots provide
>support, no argument there. They provide this support via their stiffness
>which also makes them clunky and uncomforable.........so, how can a pair
>of boots which aren't stiff lend any support?

It's a compromise, like a neoprene knee brace or the velcro and elastic thing I had to wear when I did my wrist. Putting a metal brace on your knee or wearing a cast on your wrist would probably provide better support but, then you aren't going to be able to do anything.

It's also a matter of personal taste. Some people don't like wearing shoes at all, some people like to wear sneakers and some people like to wear boots. Some people just like telling other people they are wrong.

What ever floats your boat, I reckon.

And Lazenby was such a successful James Bond that the rest of his movie career consisted of playing bad guys in bad movies filmed in Hong Kong. I blame marriage. What decent James Bond gets married? He made some pretty decent cigarette ads though.

dmnz

30-May-2010
1:36:53 PM

Unless you are ski/climbing (ice/mountaineering) go for a shoe and make sure it fits. Forget the features and all that stuff if it doesn't fit.

To say it again, FIT is the most important thing.

Got it? Fit.

Wendy

30-May-2010
1:50:00 PM

I'm on my second pair of Scara lady treks and they have been fantastic. That's 2 pairs in nearly 20 years, so they actually last rather well too. They've been in walking Tassie, NZ, Oz and Euro Alps, Nepal, the Kimberly, the blueys ... They stay dry until the water gets over the ankle, and I can even climb in them if I have too. Done heaps of scrambling, and followed a few things in the late teens in them. You can strap crampons on them and they're fine if you aren't doing anything technical.

I have also done multi day walks in my chacos and sneakers from vinnies, but they were cruisy walks in bloody hot climates with light packs (you don't need to carry much in kakadu). My feet and ankles got pretty mauled by grasses in the chacos in nitmiluk even though that walk was on tracks. The 2nd hand sneakers only last 1 trip in kakadu as well. I was however very happy I chose to take the scarpas for the kimberly. They were much more confidence inspiring on rocky ground covered in face high spear grass where you had no idea what you were putting your feet on next. They were much better for dealing with spinifex and grass seeds too.

I also own a pair of mountain masters and guide tennies. The guide tennies are bloody hopeless walking shoes. They have no support or cushioning although they are much better than the MMs for scrambling. Judging from other people's experience, (i haven't had mine for that long) I'd also say they'll last bugger all time as serious approach shoes or on walks. Good for short access and not having to change into climbing shoes whilst guiding. The MMs are much better for walking, but no improvement on the scarpas for climbing in. Probably no great improvement on the right pair of sneakers really. I haven't really been convinced on the value of fancy access shoes.

I have short fat feet, and the scarpas and the mountain masters seemed pretty well shaped for them. I'll be buying another pair of lady treks when these ones wear out. I won't be buying more MMs. I probably won't bother with the tennies again either. I'd replace the chacos if they weren't so bloody expensive and I'll definately go for more op shop sneakers. Fortuneately there's an almost endless supply from all the 10 year olds out growing their shoes on me.

Wollemi

30-May-2010
1:52:33 PM

On 30/05/2010 wallwombat wrote:

>And Lazenby was such a successful James Bond that the rest of his movie
>career consisted of playing bad guys in bad movies filmed in Hong Kong.
>I blame marriage. What decent James Bond gets married? He made some pretty
>decent cigarette ads though.

Dude, in one paragraph you have made me sorry that I ever read this thread...

All posts are generic!


Miguel75

30-May-2010
2:06:50 PM

On 30/05/2010 Wollemi wrote:
>On 30/05/2010 wallwombat wrote:
>
>>And Lazenby was such a successful James Bond that the rest of his movie
>>career consisted of playing bad guys in bad movies filmed in Hong Kong.
>>I blame marriage. What decent James Bond gets married? He made some pretty
>>decent cigarette ads though.
>
>Dude, in one paragraph you have made me sorry that I ever read this thread...
>

Ooooh deja vu! I remember reading this comment on another thread, or am I experiencing a glitch in the matrix?

Speaking of the Matrix; I never enjoyed Keanu Reeve's acting skills until I saw the Matrix. Come to think of it, I still don't like any of his other movies...


Miguel75

30-May-2010
2:46:01 PM

I like to barefoot run, either naked feet or with my brother's Vibram 5 fingers. I find the barefoot mechanics strengthen my feet and ankles. If you want to read some interesting discussions around amazing running feats and the pros & cons of running shoes google 'Tarahumara Indians'.

I hike a fair bit and would like to go with lightweight boots though at present prefer stiff boots. I currently use a pair of Raichle GTX boots (can't remember the exact style). Before them I had an awesome pair of Salomon boots which lasted almost 10 years.

One Day Hero

30-May-2010
2:58:43 PM

On 30/05/2010 wallwombat wrote:
>
>It's also a matter of personal taste. Some people don't like wearing shoes
>at all, some people like to wear sneakers and some people like to wear
>boots. Some people just like telling other people they are wrong.
>
>What ever floats your boat, I reckon.
>
Yeah, for sure, go with what you like. I've just never found a good definition for 'support' with regard to shoes......it's just this mystical thing which is sometimes to do with arches and sometimes to do with ankles.......no one really knows what provides it but everyone knows that more of it is desirable. Maybe it's in the same sphere as eyelash fullness?

>And Lazenby was such a successful James Bond that the rest of his movie
>career consisted of playing bad guys in bad movies filmed in Hong Kong.

The film was shit but the ongoing joke about his stiffness having "temporarily abated" is gold.

I did a bit of a google of Lazenby. Apparently he wasn't even an actor, got an audition on his looks and rumoured fighting ability, then got the role after impressing the director by punching out a stuntman........I guess the Queanbeyan Leagues Club deserves a bit of credit. There's a fight scene in the film in which he looks waay more convincing than most actors or stuntmen.


wallwombat

30-May-2010
3:25:12 PM

On 30/05/2010 One Day Hero wrote:

>I did a bit of a google of Lazenby. Apparently he wasn't even an actor,
>got an audition on his looks and rumoured fighting ability, then got the
>role after impressing the director by punching out a stuntman........I
>guess the Queanbeyan Leagues Club deserves a bit of credit. There's a fight
>scene in the film in which he looks waay more convincing than most actors
>or stuntmen.

I love that bit about his audition for the James Bond role,

"....[his] position was consolidated when Lazenby accidentally punched a professional wrestler, who was acting as stunt coordinator, in the face, impressing Broccoli with his ability to display aggression"

Goes to show you can take the boy out of Queanbeyan but you can't take the Queanbeyan out of the boy.

I bet George is still dirty on his manager for convincing him to leave the Bond series after his first move because "the secret agent would be archaic in the liberated 1970s" Duh!!

I didn't know old George was married to Pam Shriver either.

scarecrow

30-May-2010
5:15:58 PM

I've got a pair of Scarpa Kailashes...They do me proud, I think they're worth it as my sneakers aren't built for punishment, so I wear these as they're described ''For general abuse"..I don't really think it's a con, just a closed market. Each to your own though! Just saying my Scarpa's have stood up really well.


BoulderBaby

30-May-2010
5:37:41 PM

I also have a pair of Scarpa Kailashes. They're brill. They come in a wider fit than the ZG 65.

If you're after a full leather, non goretex, the Ranger is one of hte most popular shoes on the market. It's got quite a lot of flex though.

The Scarpa SL comes in a few widths, if you need the width.

Any European brand will be narrow!

If you don't mind replacing your shoes after maybe 2/3 years instead of 15-20, I'd reccommend the Keen Targee II.
I have a lot of customers coming in/back for it. It'd wider, very well supportive, made with Event (so a little more breathable than gore - works better in the heat) and really comfortable. When I sold them in Aus, a lot of people used them for the kokoda track

I personally believe you should go into one of the outdoor stores in the city, and have a proper fitting. IF you find the right one, get it! Don't be cheap and cheat the company if you recieve awesome service.

Cheers.

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