I’ve got a Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike scheduled for late May 2012. My old boots, which are on the cheap side, are shot and I need a new pair and have them broken in by then. Obviously, there is no shortage of good boots out there. And while I want a good boot, I don’t want to spend more than necessary. Would like a few suggestions as to what to look for. Manufacturer? High? Low? Etc.
Thanks.
Go to you local REI and tell them what you told us. The guy in the shoe department probably hikes.
They will accept returns if you find you choose wrong.
Moved from General Questions to IMHO(opinions).
samclem, Moderator
Vasque brand boots are spendy, but they are some of the most sturdy, robust and comfortable footwear (of any type) that I have ever owned.
REI sells them, as do many other high-end retailers.
I’m female and have a pair from Vasque that I got at REI. I’m lucky that my feet are small and I could get the child size. Saved me about half.
My husband has a pair that he got from big 5. They are Hi-Tec. They are not the most expensive at about $60.00, but he is pretty happy with them.
My previous pair of Raichle hikers lasted about 20 years, assuming multiple resolings doesn’t detract from the concept of “lasted”.
The more recent versions are lighter but not quite as well made. I’ve had to take furniture needle and nylon dental floss and needlenose pliers in hand and resew the anchoring stitches that bind the outside upper shoestring loop to the uppers, first on one boot then a year or so later on the other as well. Be that as it may, they remain comfortable boots and I’d probably buy that brand again.
REI, take two hours, try on every pair and figure them out. Boots are very personal. My Size 12 Vasque boots don’t fit right, but my size 12 REI brand are perfect and have carried me close to 500 miles at this point.
I’ve had great luck with Vasque boots. I have a pair of “classic” Skywalks that I’ve resoled a couple of times and a pair of XCR Catalysts. (Both pairs have been to the bottom of the Canyon and back) I’ve been unable to find any boots that feel as good on my feet. I’ve gone shopping to replace them, but I haven’t found anything close, even the new styles by Vasque.
Another vote for going to REI and talking to the shoe people. I have a pair of REI brand hiking boots that I love, love, love. I’ve had them for 8 years. I don’t hike a whole lot, but I just wear them, too. I also have a pair of Keen hiking shoes (low tops) that I wear for light hiking in the summer. Both were purchased on advice of the REI hiking dude.
Brand doesn’t really matter. What matters is what fits your feet. Everyone is different, so go to a store with a good selection (like REI, but ask some locals who hike if there are other good options) and spend a good deal of time trying on lots of pairs with the socks that you plan on hiking with.
Rim to Rim should be fairly warm, so you probably won’t need a full leather boot. Something with mesh would be appropriate, and probably won’t need much if any break in. But you’ll want to get some miles in the boots to make sure they are comfortable and to get the socks and lacing dialed in.
Hiking boots are overrated. Consider a pair of trail runners unless you’re really prone to rolling your ankle.
Mine are Hi-Tecs from REI. Make of that what you will.
While this works for some, it won’t for others. You know your own body and style, so don’t write off real boots unless you’re sure. I own both low-tops and high-tops, and I tend to use the low-tops for short hikes and the full boots for long hikes and actual backpacking. Basically, I’m willing to risk rolling an ankle on short hikes that aren’t far from home, but if I’m really in the middle of nowhere, I like the security.
A pair of low-tops shouldn’t run you more than sixty bucks, and I bought my most recent pair for less than forty.
Another vote for an afternoon in REI, trying on bunches of styles, both boot and trail runner style. Everybody’s feet, ankles, and needs are different, and if you’re going drop good money, spending the time to find what’s the best for you is very important.
It’s the same as women buying a good, expensive bra - spend the time trying things on so when you spend the money, it’s on what’s right for you.
When I started hiking in the desert, what I had available to me was a pair of 6" leather work boots with steel toes and Vibram soles. They were fantastic. The steel toes allowed me to stub my toes against rocks with impunity and there was adequate ankle support and protection due to the leather uppers. I had them re-soled four times over a decade of use before I wore out the leather to the point they couldn’t be repaired.
Vibram makes a really good sole material out here in Arizona. It’s got great traction on the kinds of rocks we have.
Now I’m using a Merril (from REI), and while it’s comfortable, once in a while I’ve got to get out the pliers to pull a cactus spike out of them. My leather work boots would have laughed at the cactus and turned the spines away.
One suggestion about fit: Going into the Canyon is a lot of downhill. Be really certain that your foot is not going to end up with your toes compressed in the toe box of the boot. I got around this by going up a half size and lacing the ankles a little tighter.
Best of the best, in my opinion, are Whites. They are expensive, but once you’ve worn them you’ll be hooked. I used them when working on back country government survey parties which is some of the toughest duty imaginable and they kept my feet very happy.
I preferred the original smoke jumperstyle for the superior ankle and arch support and the ultra-heavy duty tread, but they’re heavy, and unless you’re wearing them every day might be a bit much. The Centennial Hiker style might be more appropriate, as they’re lighter and about $100 cheaper.
A nice feature about Whites is that they are fully rebuildable. When they start to wear out there’s no need to shop for a replacement pair, just send them back to the company for restoration.
SS
Boot type all depends on what you will be hiking on and carrying. Gentle up and downs, no scree, no scrambling, some trail runners would be great. If you’re carring a 40 pound pack, up and down, on uneven terrain, IMHO you need a very sturdy over ankle boot.
I have a pair of Asolo’s that I love. Pricey, but I have hiked hundreds of miles, up and down mountains, carrying packs up to 50 pounds. Break in was nothing. They are my boot for all hiking even for a quick afternoon hike in the local hills.
Vasque, Zamberlan, and Lowa are all good brands.
Go to REI and spend a couple of hours like everybody else is saying. There selection in store is sometimes a little lite though.
I am not a fan of Hi-Tek. They are cheap and you get what you pay for.
Brand recommendations are great, but unless you are talking custom boots there’s no way of knowing if a particular boot will fit a person’s feet. Brands generally fit certain types of feet (low volume vs high volume, for example) and they may simply not work for some people. I can’t wear Scarpa boots - they kill my feet and no matter how good a boot they make they aren’t a good choice for me.
People who start out hiking generally start with heavier boots and work their way down to lighter models. It’s hard to know how much support you will need, and it’s good to err on the side of caution. I started hiking with full leather hikers (Limmers) and now mainly use trail runners unless I have an overnight pack or will need crampons.
I’ve never done Rim-to-Rim, but my friends who have (and have done Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim) all do it in trail runners. The trails generally have good footing and extra weight on your feet will cost you at the end of the day. A change of socks during the day will go a long way to keeping your feet fresher.