Hiking boots recommendations?
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For me, boots have always come down to fit, first and foremost. After that, I consider the load I'll be carrying, then the terrain, and then any needs for technical climbing or things like crampons. Usually I've found that a robust set of waterproof / trail running type shoes can be suitable for most things I do that are 2-3 days at most with a pack 30lbm or lighter. For the trip you're describing, staying on trail maybe small snow patches, no ice climbing, a general "hiking boot" like the above or something most people would go into REI looking for a hiking boot seems like it would suffice. Less can often be more as I've found those very technical boots to be incredibly stiff and overbuilt unless there's lot of crampon use or other technical sorts of climbing.
having said that, I've had good luck with scarpa boots fitting my odd shaped foot since they have a fairly traingular last, lots of toe room, and a fairly low volume instep. even the ones I have feel like they're too much boot about 75% of the time i wear them.
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@endo is spot-on, @Denman-John . You aren't Sir Edmund, and you have access to technology he would embrace had it been around in his day. I definitely love exploring the wilderness in heritage hikers or even smokejumpers, but if you really are going hard and/or long, the weight savings alone of a modern technical boot will make a gigantic difference in how far and how well you can trek.
Much like ski boots, different hiking boot makers' products may work better or worse for certain feet. I would take each recommendation you see here that looks appealing and try to test it on your foot, and ask for other options at a retailer as well to try. If you can find an outdoor retailer that really understands hiking that would be great.
That said, my go-to tech boot for outdoor activities these days is an Oboz Sawtooth X mid waterproof. These are really good for tough terrain, heavy loads, and long hauls, on my feet at least. The waterproofing works and they still seem to allow sweat out well for my feet. They are extremely comfortable out of the box under all conditions and very grippy. They do well with crampons and even snowshoes if coupled with gaiters (though I usually go with Sorel there). I have not encountered more capable footwear for hiking and light bouldering.
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The PNW area is so very good for that as they are launching and training points for so many expeditions around the world. That area of BC used to have a lot of great shops for climbing and mountaineering with a lot of the guys working there, walking the walk and talking the talk. I don't know if it's still the same, but he's in good hands.
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Having spent many years in the mountains of Montana - and now around the volcanoes of the Cascades, the advice here on technical boots, specific to your purpose, is some great advice.
I, too, love my heritage boots, but hikers in Nepal and in the Himalayas they are not. I've had great luck with Scarpa and La Sportiva in several flavors. However, as mentioned, spend time in shops to find the right fit because, at this level, for what you're doing, they should fit really well. The analogy of ski boots is apt (I'm also a high-level skier), and based on where you're going and what you're doing, high-level technical mountaineering boots are a sound investment.
If it were me, I'd be spending my time in your local shops, talking with the people using these boots, only supplementing those discussions with what you find on the ol' YouTubez and the like. Heck, you may even need to make a trip north to Squamish or Whistler to find the hardcore shops if they've been pushed out of the greater Vancouver area.
Your trip sounds truly awesome, @Denman-John! Best of luck on the voyage, both with the gear and the trip itself.
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Thanks again to everyone who replied to this thread. Your input has been very helpful and I’m truly grateful for this community! I went to my local outfitters today which is surprisingly good for a town of its size. I feel fortunate to live where I do as it’s very outdoorsy and @goosehd is right when talking about the number good shops on the west coast and Vancouver Island. Being a Tuesday afternoon, the shop was quiet and I spent a good 1.5 hours talking and trying on different boots. When I told the salesman what I was looking for, the first boot he handed me was a Salomon Quest 4. No question it was a very nice pair of boots - surprisingly light and very cushy. I also tried on Aku, Keen Targhee 4 and a pair of Oboz Bridger. They were all nice boots but lacked the stiffness in the sole that I’m looking for. Next came out the Scarpa Kinesis Pro GTX, which is their top of the line all leather traditional hiking boots. We were both surprised that my Vibergs felt heavier. Very nice boots that had a good stiff sole, but felt bulky on foot and when walking around the store. I tried on a couple of pairs of trail shoes but didn’t jive with them. Out of all the boots I tried on, the Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX were the ones that I like the most and felt best on my feet. They felt light on the foot and were the most comfortable with a nice stiff grippy sole. I have E width feet and the toe box fit is great with room to wiggle the toes. The lacing system is straight forward and easy to adjust. Sizing up to avoid toe jamb on descents, I was able to lock my heel in place with no slip first try. I definitely like them.
I told them that I was going down to Victoria this weekend and they said to go to their store there and try on a pair of Scarpa Rush TRK, which they think I’ll like. I also wanted to try them (from reviews) so I’m excited to try them and compare. Conveniently MEC is very close by and is a mecca for all things outdoor gear related. I am feeling much better now after trying on different boots and figuring out what I want, need and like in a pair of hiking boots. So far the Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX are at the top of the list, which I wasn’t expecting from online reviews - so there ya go. I’m tired and rambling so I’ll tie this up. Thanks again for all your insight and I’ll be sure to let you know how the weekend goes.
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Yes!! Those look like the ticket. Glad it work it worked out for you. And I must apologize; I saw Vancouver and assumed the city, failing to realize that you're on the island. Big difference there!
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@Bobcat-Sig And to confuse you more, I don’t live on Vancouver Island either, but on one of the gulf islands
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I was able to try on a few different pairs of boots this weekend but came back to Scarpa Zodiacs. I was able to try on some La Sportiva Aequilibrium Trek Gore-Tex Backpacking Boots that were very nice, but I didn’t bond with them. They fit narrower than the Scarpas and that was the deciding factor. Tried on a pair of leather Merrell boots, but didn’t like how they fit on me. I saw a beautiful pair of leather Zamberlan boots that looked amazing. Unfortunately it was the heaviest boot on the wall. By this time my mind was made up. Cruised around downtown hitting the outdoor shops before heading back up island to get the Scarpas.
So far I’m really impressed with them. My wife and I went alpine hiking yesterday and it was so tempting to wear them. I’ve been walking around the house with them as much as possible and took them for a walk in the forest this evening. The break-in period has been pain free so far with no blisters or hotspots. My goal is to have them well broken in by the time I leave. They are definitely more boot than I’ll need most of the time.
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@Denman-John sounds like a very good choice. Especially that you could try on all these excellent boots and decided based on the feeling of your feet. Wish you a great time in Nepal with them and probably also more beautiful tours for many years to come. They should really last a long time.
si tacuisses
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@Denman-John very nice! How’s the sizing on the Scarpas?
IG - gratefuldenimhead (jeans and boots), Norseamerican (bicycles)
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@endo Thanks for your help and insight. Yeah, I think they‘ll last for a good time to come and hope they will take me on some epic adventures. Scarpa say that these are resoleable so we’ll see when the time comes. I think the decision process was made easier due to wanting to try them on in person to make sure they fit properly rather than try my luck with ordering online. I also feel good about supporting a local shop as well. They are a hybrid between a trekking and light mountaineering boot so they should be able to handle most of what I encounter along the trail. If needed they can accommodate semi automatic crampons. I sized up so they will also take double socks if necessary. All in all I am very pleased with these boots and look forward to breaking them in.
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@Denimhead-0 Thanks man! I was able to measure my feet at the shop and they fit true to size. With that said, I sized up to avoid jamming my toes at the front of the boot while on descents.
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@Denman-John Those are sweet!! And that tread looks gnarly and excellent. Nice.
I took my old Asolos out on Friday, only to have the tread delam in both heels, so this thread is timely.
Congrats on the new dancing shoes
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Thanks @Bobcat-Sig I’ve only heard good things about Asolos, but have never been fortunate enough to try a pair on. Are they repairable or are you looking for a new pair of hiking boots to go along with your new Engineers?
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@Denman-John I opted to have my Asolos repaired. The uppers are in great shape. The midsoles, which are almost entirely comprised of a molded, expanded foam, deteriorated on a hike last Friday, causing the sole heel to delaminate. And while the sole itself can be replaced, my local cobbler will need to replace the midsole, as well, as it's failing at several spots. The cost was far less than a new pair of gore-tex hikers, so we'll see how the repair comes out. He assured me that Vibram has a decent sole + mid-sole that he can reattach. Fingers crossed.
