Hiking Boots

Tiger Lilly · 04-26-2010, 12:12 PM

Anybody care to share what brand hiking boots they use, if they like them, if they don't, and why. I need a new pair.
Thanks!

Shore Driver · 04-26-2010, 02:11 PM

I wear Merrill, midpulse GTX. A good day hiker with a waterproof membrane. They had very little break-in required, very comfortable.

As always, YMMV

Highlander · 04-27-2010, 11:19 AM

Wife and I both wear Keens. Very comfortable right out of the box, no break in needed. They are waterproof and great for day hiking.

EZ-Pass · 04-27-2010, 07:22 PM

The best ones that I have wore are from yard sales as they are all broken in and they don't look like new boots when passing others on the trail.

Quilt Lady · 04-27-2010, 10:52 PM

I have both high and low hikers and like the fit of the Merrill. My everyday shoe is also a Merrill which is the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. (I like a wide toe box.) Fit is the most important thing, no matter the brand. What feels best to you is the right one. As a side note, I have a pair of Merrill snow boots that are over 20 years old and still going strong.

Bear Island South · 04-28-2010, 06:15 AM

go with Keen, more comfortable than Merrills, I switched to Keen about 3 years ago and have not been dissapointed - I agree with Highlander, no break in needed

jmen24 · 04-28-2010, 07:53 AM

Good advice above.

I will only add that I purchased one pair of Garmont hikers and they were the worst pair of hikers I have ever owned. The soles de-laminated at the heal and mid sole arch. Loops busted out of upper material. Total mileage on these shoes was approx. 35-40 miles of hiking on my honeymoon (had to replace when I returned). Absolutely awful, first and last pair of that brand.

Tiger Lilly · 04-30-2010, 12:17 PM

Thanks everyone! I decided to give the Keen Targhee II Mid Hiking boots a try. I'll let you know how they hold up this summer.

no-engine · 04-30-2010, 06:15 PM

I have narrow feet; Keen shoe fit is decent, BUT Salomons fit me very nicely.
Best to try them on, whatever store you go to.

Long Pine · 05-02-2010, 09:40 PM

Asolo Fugitive GTX - waterproof (Gore-tex liner) - sturdier than many day-hikers (I need good ankle support) but probably not designed for carrying heavy packs. I wore them up Mt Major to make sure I had no problems with them, but Mt Washington was my second hike in these boots. No issues at all - no break-in period was required. They were probably more expensive than some of the alternatives, but I'm miserable if my feet aren't comfortable. Of course, fit is personal, but I am happy with my choice.

dayvsea · 09-07-2011, 12:18 PM

Maybe Tiger Lily will report back. I wanna know how the Keens are in the Long Haul..I burn through boots...

Belmont Resident · 09-08-2011, 11:30 AM

I purchased 3 pairs, hiker, boot and snow boot from Bass outlet in Tilton. I had to return one pair twice before getting one with eyelets that didn’t break. Also the pair I’ve used for work have degraded way faster then the New Balance sneakers I’ve been buying for work.
I would not recommend any shoes from Bass. Hiking or other.

Slickcraft · 09-08-2011, 07:22 PM

We have had many brands over the years and like Asolo the best. We got them at EMS in Concord. EMS carries several quality brands and have knowledgeable staff to help with selection and fit.

04-26-2010, 12:12 PM	#1
Tiger Lilly Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Melvin Village & West Virginia Posts: 42 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Hiking Boots Anybody care to share what brand hiking boots they use, if they like them, if they don't, and why. I need a new pair. Thanks!

04-27-2010, 11:19 AM	#3
Highlander Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 74 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Hiking Boots Wife and I both wear Keens. Very comfortable right out of the box, no break in needed. They are waterproof and great for day hiking.

04-27-2010, 10:52 PM	#5
Quilt Lady Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Alton, NH Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 11 Posts	Merrills are my favorite . . . I have both high and low hikers and like the fit of the Merrill. My everyday shoe is also a Merrill which is the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. (I like a wide toe box.) Fit is the most important thing, no matter the brand. What feels best to you is the right one. As a side note, I have a pair of Merrill snow boots that are over 20 years old and still going strong. __________________ QL (Doing my best to encourage Global Warming ... one quilt at a time!)

04-28-2010, 06:15 AM	#6
Bear Island South Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southboro, MA Posts: 579 Thanks: 75 Thanked 384 Times in 170 Posts	Keen go with Keen, more comfortable than Merrills, I switched to Keen about 3 years ago and have not been dissapointed - I agree with Highlander, no break in needed

09-07-2011, 12:18 PM	#11
dayvsea Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 113 Thanks: 42 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Maybe Tiger Lily will report back. I wanna know how the Keens are in the Long Haul..I burn through boots... __________________ "Honesty is the best policy."

04-26-2010, 02:11 PM	#2
Shore Driver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tolland CT Posts: 194 Thanks: 20 Thanked 31 Times in 25 Posts	I wear Merrill, midpulse GTX. A good day hiker with a waterproof membrane. They had very little break-in required, very comfortable. As always, YMMV

04-27-2010, 07:22 PM	#4
EZ-Pass Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 66 Thanks: 6 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	The best ones that I have wore are from yard sales as they are all broken in and they don't look like new boots when passing others on the trail.

04-28-2010, 07:53 AM	#7
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	Good advice above. I will only add that I purchased one pair of Garmont hikers and they were the worst pair of hikers I have ever owned. The soles de-laminated at the heal and mid sole arch. Loops busted out of upper material. Total mileage on these shoes was approx. 35-40 miles of hiking on my honeymoon (had to replace when I returned). Absolutely awful, first and last pair of that brand.

04-30-2010, 12:17 PM	#8
Tiger Lilly Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Melvin Village & West Virginia Posts: 42 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks everyone! I decided to give the Keen Targhee II Mid Hiking boots a try. I'll let you know how they hold up this summer.

04-30-2010, 06:15 PM	#9
no-engine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West side Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region Posts: 516 Thanks: 20 Thanked 52 Times in 40 Posts	I have narrow feet; Keen shoe fit is decent, BUT Salomons fit me very nicely. Best to try them on, whatever store you go to.

05-02-2010, 09:40 PM	#10
Long Pine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 93 Thanks: 12 Thanked 33 Times in 12 Posts	Asolo Fugitive GTX - waterproof (Gore-tex liner) - sturdier than many day-hikers (I need good ankle support) but probably not designed for carrying heavy packs. I wore them up Mt Major to make sure I had no problems with them, but Mt Washington was my second hike in these boots. No issues at all - no break-in period was required. They were probably more expensive than some of the alternatives, but I'm miserable if my feet aren't comfortable. Of course, fit is personal, but I am happy with my choice.

09-08-2011, 11:30 AM	#12
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 409 Times in 251 Posts	Bass shoes I purchased 3 pairs, hiker, boot and snow boot from Bass outlet in Tilton. I had to return one pair twice before getting one with eyelets that didn’t break. Also the pair I’ve used for work have degraded way faster then the New Balance sneakers I’ve been buying for work. I would not recommend any shoes from Bass. Hiking or other.

09-08-2011, 07:22 PM	#13
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and West Alton Posts: 3,218 Thanks: 1,173 Thanked 2,002 Times in 915 Posts	We have had many brands over the years and like Asolo the best. We got them at EMS in Concord. EMS carries several quality brands and have knowledgeable staff to help with selection and fit.