if we are talking third world country shoes. The best imho are oboz. The rest break down and wear out in short order.

quote:

Originally posted by DonDraper:
https://www.vasque.com/mens-hiking-footwear/

Yes.

I've had a pair of leather Lowas for decades. Yes, heavier and warmer than the synthetics but I have complete confidence that my ankles are protected. They're at the cobblers and to keep hiking I'm using some mid-height Keens. I'm being very tentative wearing them since they have so little support.

The mountain a mile from my house has lots of overused hiking trails (thanks COVID) that are mostly roots, rocks and ledge - even worse now they're covered with this fall's leaves. Until there's snow, a week doesn't go by when some flatlander wearing trail shoes or worse has to be rescued and carried out.

ETA: Purchased in 1974 on sale for $45. Used exclusively for hiking and ski lift survey work. One resoling but now need serious attention. Norwegian welt for the win!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Blackmore,

The wife and I do a lot of hiking here in the NG mountains. Lots of up and down and rocky terrain with lots of tree roots in the trails. I've had a few pair of Merrell Moab hikers and they never seem to last very long. Once they get damp or wet a few times(stream crossings or damp forest floor) there're done for not long after, but a fair shoe for the money. I got my first pair of Oboz a couple of months ago and so far I really like them. More money but they seem better built and more water proof and they are a little wider in the toe area which I like. The tread seems to grip better on wet leaves and grass.

Been using Keen (Targhee II) and Oboz (Sawtooth) for years.

I am partial to a wider toe box and metatarsal support. I find it with those two.

Maybe throw in a Finn Comfort (which is absolutely worth the price of admission) cork footbed and l’m golden.

No more plantar fasciitis for me !

If you're retired, it means you're old,
If you're old, it means shit is falling down,
If shit is falling down, that means arches in your feet too, just like mine.
KEEN is what works for me, wide toebox is a godsend.

Flat feet, so Xero and Keen.

Duluth jackpines.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Had one pair of Merrell Moabs because folks raves about them and I blew through them quite quickly.

Yep. Merrell Moab 2s are fantastically comfortable and functional shoes... For about 6-9 months of regular use before they start to wear out.

They give up the ghost noticeably faster than other brands in their price range, and noticeably faster than the older Moab shoes did.

I love them, but I hate dropping $100+ for less than a year's worth of wear.

However, Merrell just released their Moab 3 (3rd generation) last month. I'll be interested to see whether they're just as comfortable as before, and hopefully they're significantly more durable than the 2s.

Timberland White Ledge

Used these recently on a week long hike of the sheep's head way in west cork Ireland. Have used Merrells previously on similar hikes and though they are both waterproof the Timberlands allow my feet to breath better than the Merrells.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by alptraum:
Lowa. Been wearing them for 10 or 15 years now. Mostly Renegade GTX, replaced every year or two. They make everything from light weight hiking shoes to serious technical boots for mountain climbing.

Are you actually wearing them out that quickly??

Yes, for me. They get worn daily and while they could go longer I'm just in the habit of getting new ones.

The Merrell's are a little soft in the sole for my liking. I love my Oboz been using them for the last couple of years and they seem to wear better for my super high arches.

I discovered Danner a few months ago, and they work very well for me. Extra cushion in the forefoot is a godsend.
I’ve had Merrells and they were okay. But the Danners really are a better shoe for me.

Most important is getting the ones that fit. While a lot of people are recommending Merrill Moab's, if they don't fit, then those recommendations are useless. Ultimately, you don't want your toes touching the end of the toe-box when walking downhill. There's a lot of good brands to consider, really comes down to fit, budget and usage:

Merrill (American value brand)
Keen
Oboz (business blew-up when Keen cut-off many small dealers)
Salomon (French brand, more sporty than most, do have a significant military business channel)
Lowa (German brand, more traditional styling, Tempest & Renegade models are most popular)
LaSportiva (Italian climbing brand, made for the Dolomites, one of my favorites)
Salewa (see above)
Asolo (see above)

I'm a Merrell fan as well albeit with a big caveat.

I wear 4E wide footwear (sometimes even 5E or 6E depending on the brand). Back in December 1991 I was able to special order a pair of Italian made Merrell Wilderness leather hiking boots in my width ($250 at the time and a couple months lead time). While I was waiting for these to be made, the dealer I ordered through recommended I get a pair of Merrell Timberline leather/nylon/GoreTex hiking boots which were available in a wide with which I did. Both proved to be exceptional!

Sadly Merrell no longer offers either wide widths or special order. And their top of the line Wilderness first was no longer Italian made, discontinued, but brought back as the Wilderness Legend for a brief period. Nothing in their current line up compares.

Still have 'em. Held up and repaired well.

Zamberlan as real hikers Saloman for hiker/casual outdoor hikers. The former are just more robust in every measure.

Zamberlan or one piece leather Lowas. The only down side to my currant Zamberlan is the sole is very stiff. If you step on a marble sized rock on a flat surfaces for example, it’s easier to roll your ankle over.

The Lowas were softer but would wrap over the small rock but you would feel it more especially if it was sharp.

I'm done with Merrill. Don't last at all.

Lowa and just started with Keen. Ugly as sin but wide toe box feels great.

quote:

Originally posted by DonDraper:
https://www.vasque.com/mens-hiking-footwear/

I really like the Vasque Juxt. For years, I used them as my everyday shoe. When I was more in the field than in the office, I would put 5-10 miles a day on them. On bad days, I’d put as many as 18. Now I’m desk bound, so I wear dressier shoes.

I have a buddy who works for Danner, so now I’m trying out some of their Camp Sherman’s. They’re great shoes, but I wear out the soles a lot faster than the Vasque Juxt. I have a wide foot, so the fit on the Danner EE wide is better for me.