I am looking for some new shoes ,and need some ideas .Kinda leaning toward some sort of waterproof hiking shoe that would be comfortable all day .Any suggestions ?
Water proof hiking shoe suggestions ?
- Thread starter jdh4376
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If you have a narrow foot, try Merrell's. If you have a wide foot, try Keen's. It's best to try them on and wear them for a while in the store to see if there are any uncomfortable spots. This is pretty common practice at an REI or other major outfitter. If you are covering serious miles, make sure to use quality wool light hiking socks like Thorlos or smart wool.
I humped a 56 pound pack over 75 miles of High Sierra Trail in a brand new pair of Keens without a single blister. They felt downright sporty on rocks. I was quite impressed.
I humped a 56 pound pack over 75 miles of High Sierra Trail in a brand new pair of Keens without a single blister. They felt downright sporty on rocks. I was quite impressed.
The bates infantry combat boots (the ones without the vents) were the boots I swore by for multiple schools and deployments while in the Marine Corps. Unfortunately they stopped making them. I just purchased a pair of Delta 9 bates boots. Waterproof is key for me because there's few things worse than stepping for a second in a puddle and having your boot fill up. When I hiked the Appalachian trail, I started off with a pair of Danner TFX rough out GTX boots. They lasted 1200 miles before holes formed on the instep letting in some water and required about 100 miles to fully break in. I used them for 300 miles more before switching out to a pair of keens. They lasted the rest of the trip (approx 700 miles) and were shot after that. I like the military style boots (bates and danner) because of the 8-9" boot as opposed to lower cut hiking boots. This helps keep water out in case you step into a deep puddle or stream. Downside of my preferred style is weight. Each boot was about a pound. Just wanted to put this out there even though you were inquiring about a shoe as opposed to a boot.
One thing to consider is when a goretex boot gets wet on the inside, and it will, they turn into buckets and take much longer to dry out than a leather boot or a boot with GOOD drainage. If it's a boot for mild to autumn seasons find something that dries quicker and keeps your feet cooler.
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I enjoyed your thread. "Waterproof" always catches my eye. After having thrown down thousands of dollars I have learned one thing. Rubber is waterproof. Everything else leaks! I guess literalists like myself should keep in my theses terms are only loosely used by retailers.
That's interesting. I've never heard that before. I have been using obenaufs on my lineman boots for work. That stuff seems to be very good. Climbing boots get expensive real quick so I'm trying to make them last. As far as hiking boots go, I have a pair of scarpa hikers that are waterproof and I like them a lot. Actually I still have a brand new pair that I bought first but were too small and have not sent them back yet. Hopefully Moose Jaw will still let me return them.
Enjoy the Keens. Should you want try anything else I'd suggest Zamberlans. After a lot of time in the Breacon Beacons I grew to be very fond and grateful for mine.
Most everything I can add has been covered, if you have wide feet Keen's. Asolo as makes a couple of wides as well (I have both) and for narrower feet merrell's. Zmaberlands are also great, the little woman swears by them, and they have both a narrow and wide platform they build on. Only thing else I can say is make sure you get a light hiking boot and not a packing boot, a pack boot is going to be stiffer and will get uncomfortable for day to day wear since the pack boots are for support when carrying lots of weight.
And Six Five obenaufs is hands down the best leather care product for boots I have ever found, and have you given Whites lineman's boots a try yet????
And Six Five obenaufs is hands down the best leather care product for boots I have ever found, and have you given Whites lineman's boots a try yet????
