[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Backpacking Boots (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 1/30/2016 11:07:20 PM EDT
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I'll be doing 30 miles of the AT in March in preparation for a trip out west to Grand Teton in August. I'm looking at the Asolo Fugitive and Salewa Hike Trainer, among others. What're y'all wearing into the backcountry? |
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Quoted: Light running shoes or trail runners. I've put a shitload of miles on my XA PRO 3Ds but like with the Keens posted above, they offer little or no ankle support. I just healed from a high-ankle sprain; probably wouldn't risk hiking 50 miles with 40lbs on my back in difficult terrain without ankle support. |
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Quoted: I wore these for 90% of the 40 miles of the Teton crest trail I did several years ago. http://images.altrec.com/keen-newport-water-sh-bison-10.jpg I've got a pair of those. They're comfortable and still protect your toes. I'd wear them if I wasn't carrying a pack or in terrain where rolling your ankle is a consideration. |
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Quoted: 40lbs, plus or minus. Seems idea for 5ish miles, 4-6 days, packing a tent instead of a hammock, etc. Quoted: Quoted: How much do you expect your pack to weigh? 40lbs, plus or minus. Seems idea for 5ish miles, 4-6 days, packing a tent instead of a hammock, etc. |
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Quoted:
I've put a shitload of miles on my XA PRO 3Ds but like with the Keens posted above, they offer little or no ankle support. I just healed from a high-ankle sprain; probably wouldn't risk hiking 50 miles with 40lbs on my back in difficult terrain without ankle support. I've done some nasty terrain on the AT in mesh lightweight runners. What section and how many days are you going? 40lbs is a big pack, sure you need that much? And agreed on the Keens. I used to wear them for daily bumming around town, but one trip on a real hike with them and I tossed them in the trash. If you buy the Asolo's, make sure you've got about 50 miles in the them prior to your hike for breakin. |
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Since I found Lowa boots, I have not been inclined to use anything else Yep. These right here to be specific: http://www.rei.com/product/789686/lowa-renegade-gtx-mid-hiking-boots-mens 
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In the Colorado Rockies, I tend to wear my......
Lowa Tibet LL (Leather Lined) 
Lowa Baffin Pro 
or Kenetrek Desert Guide 
I have a slightly wide forefoot, so it's difficult to find a last that fits me well. Also, I hate Gore-Tex type membranes with a passion. Each of the above are made out of 1 piece of quality leather, no mish-mash of panels sewn together. When made with 1-piece of quality leather, boots like these have a lot of water resistance, and a lot of breathability. But you pay a lot of money for that quality. |
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With a 40lb pack, I'd be looking at ankle support.
I've had good luck with Asolos. Currently have 2 pair of them and they are holding up very well. I wear them daily and am not inclined to look for another brand of boot for anything they are good for. The above people are right about them needing break-in periods. Same with the scrarpas. I also have a pair of scarpa mountaineering boots (wrangell gtx), but those are overkill for your uses, IMHO unless you have ankles that are prone to rolling. I'm not one to use trail runners when carrying a pack in the mountains. A twisted ankle is shitty to walk on without a pack, much worse with one. |
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Quoted: I've done some nasty terrain on the AT in mesh lightweight runners. What section and how many days are you going? 40lbs is a big pack, sure you need that much? And agreed on the Keens. I used to wear them for daily bumming around town, but one trip on a real hike with them and I tossed them in the trash. If you buy the Asolo's, make sure you've got about 50 miles in the them prior to your hike for breakin. Quoted: Quoted: I've put a shitload of miles on my XA PRO 3Ds but like with the Keens posted above, they offer little or no ankle support. I just healed from a high-ankle sprain; probably wouldn't risk hiking 50 miles with 40lbs on my back in difficult terrain without ankle support. I've done some nasty terrain on the AT in mesh lightweight runners. What section and how many days are you going? 40lbs is a big pack, sure you need that much? And agreed on the Keens. I used to wear them for daily bumming around town, but one trip on a real hike with them and I tossed them in the trash. If you buy the Asolo's, make sure you've got about 50 miles in the them prior to your hike for breakin. Doing the Roan Highlands beginning in Iron Mountain Gap and ending at 19E at the Mountain Harbour B&B. Thirty miles total, should be able to do 10-12 miles a day; not trying to run a race, just wanna enjoy it for what it is. I've done a 20-miler and a 50-miler around Damascus, VA way back in my Boy Scout days. Definitely buying boots for this hike and to break in prior to going out west this summer. I want GTX because I fucking hate having wet feet; it's completely miserable, though I understand sweating feet can be just as wet. Will be packing flip-flops for light duty around camp or any deeper water crossings. I dig the Salewas but the narrow toe-box gives me pause. My feet are average width and I wear an 11 or 11.5s in street shoes. |
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Quoted:
Doing the Roan Highlands beginning in Iron Mountain Gap and ending at 19E at the Mountain Harbour B&B. Thirty miles total, should be able to do 10-12 miles a day; not trying to run a race, just wanna enjoy it for what it is. I've done a 20-miler and a 50-miler around Damascus, VA way back in my Boy Scout days. Definitely buying boots for this hike and to break in prior to going out west this summer. I want GTX because I fucking hate having wet feet; it's completely miserable, though I understand sweating feet can be just as wet. Will be packing flip-flops for light duty around camp or any deeper water crossings. I dig the Salewas but the narrow toe-box gives me pause. My feet are average width and I wear an 11 or 11.5s in street shoes. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I've put a shitload of miles on my XA PRO 3Ds but like with the Keens posted above, they offer little or no ankle support. I just healed from a high-ankle sprain; probably wouldn't risk hiking 50 miles with 40lbs on my back in difficult terrain without ankle support. I've done some nasty terrain on the AT in mesh lightweight runners. What section and how many days are you going? 40lbs is a big pack, sure you need that much? And agreed on the Keens. I used to wear them for daily bumming around town, but one trip on a real hike with them and I tossed them in the trash. If you buy the Asolo's, make sure you've got about 50 miles in the them prior to your hike for breakin. Doing the Roan Highlands beginning in Iron Mountain Gap and ending at 19E at the Mountain Harbour B&B. Thirty miles total, should be able to do 10-12 miles a day; not trying to run a race, just wanna enjoy it for what it is. I've done a 20-miler and a 50-miler around Damascus, VA way back in my Boy Scout days. Definitely buying boots for this hike and to break in prior to going out west this summer. I want GTX because I fucking hate having wet feet; it's completely miserable, though I understand sweating feet can be just as wet. Will be packing flip-flops for light duty around camp or any deeper water crossings. I dig the Salewas but the narrow toe-box gives me pause. My feet are average width and I wear an 11 or 11.5s in street shoes. Best bet is to go into a place that sells boots and try them on before you buy. One thing I've found is that boots sizes are all over the charts within the same size. They tend to be more stable within the same brand, however different lines of boots within the same brand can fit different, even if the size is technically similar. |
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Quoted: Best bet is to go into a place that sells boots and try them on before you buy. One thing I've found is that boots sizes are all over the charts within the same size. They tend to be more stable within the same brand, however different lines of boots within the same brand can fit different, even if the size is technically similar. Yeah roger that; sage advice. Unfortunately, coastal NC is lacking in places that carry quality backpacking/outdoor gear if it doesn't involve saltwater.  |
AT in March in NC means there's a good chance of snow. Something like the Soloman X Ultras would fit the bill and still be very light.
and they make a mid-cut version, too ... 
Something like the mid isn't going to offer much ankle support (but with a 40 pound backpack, you don't need that) - the primary purpose of it's higher ankle is to keep debris and snow out of the shoe/boot; combined with light gaiters, the mids might be the better all around choice. |
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I have a pair of the fugitive's as my back up boots. They have been pretty comfortable. YOu will be fine with them as long as mostly on trail. Any boot with stitching on the sides can have it wear through. My main boot has been a 520 which is more leather with less stitching.
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I'll be doing 30 miles of the AT in March in preparation for a trip out west to Grand Teton in August. I'm looking at the Asolo Fugitive and Salewa Hike Trainer, among others. What're y'all wearing into the backcountry? |
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Quoted: Oh for Christ sake, man up.... https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e7/30/ec/e730eca21be61600c3f59ccb8c334dbc.jpg You gotta pair of canvas dungarees to go with those?  |
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Quoted: You gotta pair of canvas dungarees to go with those? Quoted: Quoted: Oh for Christ sake, man up.... https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e7/30/ec/e730eca21be61600c3f59ccb8c334dbc.jpg You gotta pair of canvas dungarees to go with those? |
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Quoted: Nope, but done plenty of 20 milers in 1980's era battle rattle wearing them...of course that was 30 years ago, so there's that. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Oh for Christ sake, man up.... https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e7/30/ec/e730eca21be61600c3f59ccb8c334dbc.jpg You gotta pair of canvas dungarees to go with those? That sounds horrible, lol. I'm not going through CAG selection or SFAS.  |
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Quoted: I've put a shitload of miles on my XA PRO 3Ds but like with the Keens posted above, they offer little or no ankle support. I just healed from a high-ankle sprain; probably wouldn't risk hiking 50 miles with 40lbs on my back in difficult terrain without ankle support. Quoted: Quoted: Light running shoes or trail runners. I've put a shitload of miles on my XA PRO 3Ds but like with the Keens posted above, they offer little or no ankle support. I just healed from a high-ankle sprain; probably wouldn't risk hiking 50 miles with 40lbs on my back in difficult terrain without ankle support. If you like those Salomon's, they make mid and high top versions. Google "Quest 4D 2 GTX" Get something with a sneaker sole. Those Asolos are going to make your feet ache.
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Quoted:
40lbs, plus or minus. Seems idea for 5ish miles, 4-6 days, packing a tent instead of a hammock, etc. Quoted:
Quoted:
How much do you expect your pack to weigh? 40lbs, plus or minus. Seems idea for 5ish miles, 4-6 days, packing a tent instead of a hammock, etc. That much weight I would definitely go for ankle support. Met too many people with seriously sprained ankles on both trails. Either of the boots you asked about would work well. On the AT I would make use of the shelters… AT Shelters 
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Quoted:
I wore these for 90% of the 40 miles of the Teton crest trail I did several years ago. http://images.altrec.com/keen-newport-water-sh-bison-10.jpg Oh for crying out loud, get out of here with this you dirty hippy. Might as well have posted a pic of your birkenstocks.
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Quoted: Do you have trekking poles? If not, get a set. I had weak ankles too and they do wonders. If you like those Salomon's, they make mid and high top versions. Google "Quest 4D 2 GTX" Get something with a sneaker sole. Those Asolos are going to make your feet ache. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Light running shoes or trail runners. I've put a shitload of miles on my XA PRO 3Ds but like with the Keens posted above, they offer little or no ankle support. I just healed from a high-ankle sprain; probably wouldn't risk hiking 50 miles with 40lbs on my back in difficult terrain without ankle support. If you like those Salomon's, they make mid and high top versions. Google "Quest 4D 2 GTX" Get something with a sneaker sole. Those Asolos are going to make your feet ache. Yeah, already have a set of poles. I like the Salomons but the soles are peeling away on my current pair. The GTX liners are basically worthless in wet conditions now because of it. Fortunately, I have a second pair NIB in my closet. Though I like the idea of a trail/approach shoe sole, I just don't think it'd hold up well in rough terrain. The AT is one thing but the areas I want to explore out west would probably tear them up. I think I can cure the hard soles with some insteps like someone suggested earlier. Really liking those Scarpas I posted just above. We'll see. |
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merrells
I recently got the above shoes for hiking on the AT. You want the waterproof shoes. I also have the same shoe but not waterproof that I word on the AT in Dec. I was very carefull crossing the creeks so I didn't end up with wet feet. Watching my buddy not worry about stepping in 3 or so inches of water is the reason for getting the waterproof shoes. Between the two trips, my pack weighed 45, then 50 pounds. I'm had a set of poles and tent, will use the hammock this summer. |
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Scarpa makes a nice boot as well. As far as foot ache....that goes away if you wear boots a lot. If your feet are used to sneakers, yeah, they will. But if you wear boots regularly, real boots......your feet will not ache after you get accustomed to harder soled footwear. |
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Quoted: Scarpa makes a nice boot as well. As far as foot ache....that goes away if you wear boots a lot. If your feet are used to sneakers, yeah, they will. But if you wear boots regularly, real boots......your feet will not ache after you get accustomed to harder soled footwear. Quoted: Scarpa makes a nice boot as well. As far as foot ache....that goes away if you wear boots a lot. If your feet are used to sneakers, yeah, they will. But if you wear boots regularly, real boots......your feet will not ache after you get accustomed to harder soled footwear. My job keeps me on my feet all day but not in boots; I honestly doubt I'd have much of an opportunity to don these suckers without a backpack on or slopping around a wet, cold, or muddy range. |