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JustJoe
Hiking Forums Are My Crack
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:39 am Posts: 5664 Location: Not Mass 8)
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What Brand of Hiking Boot/Shoe do you Prefer? It's a Poll
From recently revived thread, I thought this would be interesting.
I've tried Asolo, Hi-Tec, Lowa and Merrell. I've found for myself that nothing but Merrell's will go on my feet. I have 2 pairs. 1 for backpacking and some whacks (Perimeter), very water proof. Another for everything else(Radius Mid) superior grip. Again, for myself, these have been extremely comfortable right out of the box.
So what's your brand?
P.S. These are just peoples opinions of what works for them. No opinion bashing please.
Also, if there's a brand I missed, just write it in. I thought these would cover most.
_________________ Adventure is not a race. - Unknown
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:55 am |
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MidState
Peak Bagger
Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 9:06 pm Posts: 345 Location: Spencer, Mass
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I have only tried one brand and that is Vasque. Extremely happy with them. They stay dry and give good ankle support. They also are strong enough to protect my feet on the sharper rocks.
My wife though is the shopper in the family. She tried quite a few pairs before her trip to the Badlands and found that she really liked LL Bean. But she's not here so her vote does not count.
Eric
_________________ "Got my sunshine, I'll get by"
NH4K: 5/48
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:13 am |
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AngelOfDeath
Adept Ascender
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:07 am Posts: 688 Location: Cambridge, MA
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I really like the Salomons that I've got. They're very light, have good ankle support, waterproof and have good traction.
_________________ Tony
NH4ks 48/48
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:19 am |
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bikehikeskifish
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 8:40 pm Posts: 1943
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I started in Vasques, but they were old and worn.
I replaced them with LL Bean Crestas which were rock solid, but heavy.
I am currently using a Scarpa, but it's not quite big enough I fear
Tim
_________________ Bike, Hike, Ski, Sleep, Eat, Fish, Repeat
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:30 am |
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BobC
I Spend All My Time on This Forum
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2007 2:04 pm Posts: 3733 Location: Newmarket, NH
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I put my vote in for L.L. Bean, because I really like my L.L Bean Cresta Hikers for 3 seasons. But I like my Merrell Thermo 6 winter boots too. Not the warmest boot around, but they do the job for me.
_________________ "Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes" -Steven Winterburn
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:57 am |
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Pucknuts61
Moderator
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:13 pm Posts: 2026 Location: Mt Lafayette Winter 2009
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I like the REI Free Spirit models (actually made by Reichle). I've owned the II's and III's but I don't think they make them any more under the REI brand....at least I haven't seen them recetly.
Next pair will probably be Vasque or La Sportiva
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:48 am |
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IQuest
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:56 pm Posts: 1442 Location: Canaan, NH
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I currently wear a pair of Tecnica Nepal GTX. http://www.quota2912montagna.com/prodot ... -p538.html They fit my feet fine and are pretty bulletproof. The main reason I wear them though was the price. They only sold a couple hundred pair in the country so they aren't that popular. Since I work for the company I get a great discount. I checked Lowa because they are a sister company and make most of the hiking/backpacking boots now. Tecnica has recently focused more on trail runners and a couple of light hikers. My feet aren't too fussy and can adapt to most shoes. I consider myself lucky for that.
_________________ Ian
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:57 am |
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Kathy
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:35 pm Posts: 2765 Location: south of the notches
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Funny...we were talking about this on Sunday. I'm on my 2nd pair of Keens. I like the fit. However, this is the replacement pair to cover a defective pair and after only the 2nd time wearing them I was carrying parts of them down in my pack. Weird.
I like Merrills, they seem to be on a par with the Keens. I got a better deal on the Keens so I went with those. I do have a pair of Garmont leathers for the winter. Love 'em. First pair I've owned that keep my feet warm AND dry on the winter hikes.
I also have a pair of Solomon's for winter hiking. They're really more of a snowshoe boot but they're super warm and lightweight.
_________________ Life is a trip ~ pack accordingly
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:28 pm |
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bobandgeri
Flatfoot
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 5:13 pm Posts: 19 Location: Merrimack, NH
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3-Season hiking = trail runners - La Sportiva Raptors, Inov-8 Roclite 295's, Montrail's, Vasque - would love to be able to wear Salomon;s but they are not a good fit. The ones with the stickiest rubber!
Winter - Garmont Momentum Snow GTX, La Sportiva Nepal Evo's
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:55 pm |
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JustJoe
Hiking Forums Are My Crack
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:39 am Posts: 5664 Location: Not Mass 8)
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Wow, guess I missed a lot of brands.  Just goes to show though. People take care of their feet. 
_________________ Adventure is not a race. - Unknown
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 3:43 pm |
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hatrick1073
Peak Bagger
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 2:54 pm Posts: 256 Location: Belmont, NH
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My wife and I are both wearing Merrils and are very happy. I need a new pair however and was looking at the Garmont, so I'm glad Kathy mentioned them. If they make a good winter boot, I would think their three season boot would be a good shoe also.
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:33 pm |
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andy
Adept Ascender
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 6:20 am Posts: 529 Location: the moon
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I'm currently using Asolo Powermatic 500GV's. This is my third pair of Asolo's. Went through two pairs of FSN 95's in less than a year, then decided to go big. The Powermatics are a very heavy, but very comfortable boot, my only gripe being that the tread could be deeper, and will wear out far too fast. This will probably be my last pair of Asolo's though. I figure one more season, then probably something with a Norweigian Welt sole. The all leather uppers are awesome, but I'm not interested if they cant be re-soled easily.
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:37 pm |
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woods dweller
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:34 pm Posts: 1057 Location: Western Mass. Avatar: West Bond
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I've had many different brands over the years (Timberland,
Vasque, LL Bean, etc). I didn't vote because I don't really
have a preference.
Currently, I've just about blown out my second pair of
Men's Hikers from Cabela's, and will get a new pair this
upcoming Christmas. Luckily, they have them in my
oddball footsize- 12 Wide.
They kinda look like this..
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:29 pm |
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rtboon
Flatfoot
Joined: Sun May 01, 2011 8:56 am Posts: 4 Location: Hanover, NH
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Have Merrill Moabs GTX and Vasque's but prefer Merrill's.
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:41 pm |
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New Hampshire
I Spend All My Time on This Forum
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 8:52 pm Posts: 4700 Location: Goffstown Avatar:I love you, you love me!
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I started in Hi-Tec's. They were OK, but they did not stay waterproof after a year. Moved on to a pair of L.L. Bean Crestas. After a few thousand miles on those it was time for a new pair. I am now on my second pair of Crestas. When these finally meet their maker I will replace them with a third pair. I love my Crestas.
Brian
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Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:59 pm |
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