Alright. So this month I'm getting more active doing some hikes and some search and rescue training.

Checking my boots out to make sure they're up for it, I'm not sure they are. They're only 4 years old but of that there's 2 years of pounding pavement as a motorcycle riding instructor, hikes and camping all over the place (including being broken in at the Grand Canyon) and a lot of motorcycle riding. As a result I've blown a hole in one so the one is no longer waterproof and the soles are pretty much worn flat. As they have a foam type layer between the Vibram sole and the boot, I'm pretty sure they can't be resoled.

I'm looking for a new pair but I have some fairly demanding needs. I'm hoping that you folks could toss some advice my way since the more I research this one the less sure I am about style, how much to spend, etc.

My biggest problem with boots is heat. My feet don't like to be hot and when they get hot they get wet...which has it's own issues and dangers. The first suggestion came from my brother. He used to live in Central America. He swears by army surplus Jungle boots for hot weather (Even though I live in Alberta, summer=hot for me no matter how mild it is). They're relatively inexpensive and not too hard to find new or surplus. They breath fairly well, plus they're easier to pack then some of the alternatives which can be handy at times.

The next problem is wear and tear. Because I do so much walking on pavement during the summer in addition to the outdoors stuff like hiking, camping, fishing, SAR, etc., I go through the soles faster than I'd like and tend to just be hard on boots in general. A friend suggested Danners as they can be re-soled and can last decades if cared for properly. I've also looked at Limmer boots. These don't seem to breath as well as I'd like for problem #1.

The 3rd problem is that I'm cheap. I don't want to spend a fortune unless I'm sure I can make them last at least 10 years...definately worth the investment at that point even with the cost of having new soles put on when needed.

Do you have any favorites I should be checking out which have good breathability, are rugged, waterproof (or at least very water resistant), can be worn for 12 hour days in the summer heat and up to a week at a time without issue...and aren't the most expensive thing out there?

Seems like the best bet so far are the modern takes on the Jungle boot which have Gore-tex in the fabric upper. I've only heard of these and don't know who makes them...if anybody knows I'd appreciate that info too.

If the general concensus is that it's dumb to wear a single boot for everything (winter doesn't count...I'll always have a seperate pair of pack boots)...then let me know because that's what I've been doing for years and years!

I discovered Magnum boots a few years ago and love them.

They were designed for police so all day comfort is key.

I think they're light. I wear them year round-Utah. Have great self cleaning treads. About $60. Have a variety of styles including ankle cut, 4" and 8" boots.

If you get the right design, they will look like dress shoes with pants.

http://www.magnumboots.com

I've also heard good things from the Converse line of boots.

Hey bro

check out the S.W.A.T.s footwear line. I wore swats through the AFGH both times I was deployed there and would again in a heartbeat. I also wear them hunting here in Alberta and will attest that they are awesome walking/hiking boots. They are ultra light and breathable, reasonably rugged depending on usage, and you can get a good set for a really good price. They are sold in a few places here in ED.

for some models a drawback will be the waterproof element, but this is the trade off for good ventilation in most cases.

If you want Army boots I may be able to hook you up with a pair depending on your size.

Pavement and good hiking boots don't mix. Thats just the way it is. Unless you wanna wear 'em out 3X as fast. Its like using a jeep with expensive off road tires for highway driving. And just like with your eyes and teeth, you don't wanna be cheap with your feet. How else you gonna get around? Not that you need to spend a boatload, but look at your choices from a quality and need perspective first, then parse the prices. I've got wide feet and screwed up heels. Through pure experience and lots of miles, the hiking boots that have worked best for me so far are Raichle and Keen. Good luck, its a jungle of footwear out there.

Hacksaw,

I will echo what LED says. Youze only gots one pairs of hoofers, so takes carez of 'em.

I have a high instep and high arch (weird genetics). The result is I need to wear custom orthotics. While the orthotics solve 99% of the support problem, the 1% leftover is the killer. It is near impossible to get my foot in any boot with my orthotics in them. If I find a boot that is OK, I usually end cutting out the insoles so my feet will fit better/correctly. It sucks.

Again, just like eyes and teeth; take of them. I agree on the Raichle. Meindls may be another option. Buy the boot for the purpose. As much as I know you dislike unitaskers, you may need to give way in this case. The off-road tire analogy is spot on.

All that to say this: Good luck!

I'm not going to tell you how to spend your money, but when you do the math, be sure to add in wear and tear on your feet.

I bought a pair of Danner's that had a glue on sole and they lasted 8 years plus. I still use them for light stuff but I splurged on a better pair of their boots and believe it was the best investment, for my time in the field, that I could have made. I use that pair of boots on the Texas/Mexican border in the summer and at 10,000 feet in Colorado in the winter, which brings me to my next point.

The only difference between a Central American jungle and the inside of my boots at the end of a hike is that there are no monkeys or toucans in my boots after a hike. I depend on my socks to regulate temperature inside my boots. I believe that you would be successful if you wore Coolmax socks when it’s warm and wool when it’s cold.

Bisc.

"When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the shoe leather has passed into the fiber of your body. I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out. He is the richest man who pays the largest debt to his shoemaker."

Emerson was right.

I cheap out on some things; but never, ever on boots. Figure on $200 to start, and heading toward $300 for top shelf stuff. High end stuff lasts and lasts; the cost per mile is much lower than cheapies.

These boots have caught my eye more than once. Built like a tank, and completely resoleable. http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442498751&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302733589&bmUID=1207618681043

If you're looking for the military Gore-tex type boots, I think Sportsmans guide had a sale on the "2nd" Gore-Tex bates US issue for $70. Item # dx8m-100529x. I've got some 2nd's from them from a few years back; the issue was that the eyelets didn't line up perfectly; otherwise function well.

I've used the cheap Jungle boot knock-offs for years to hike the mountains in Cali. They worked great, but don't last long (lots of granite in them thar hills). If you go that route, yeah, it's $30, but they wear out after 1-3 years.

On the civvie side, I've got a pair of Chippewas and a pair of Wolverines that are at 11, and 12, years respectively. Not worn every day during that time, but each of them has literally years of use in them.

I have a pair of Merrell Ventilators http://www.merrell.com/Product/NZGP/Mens-Active-Footwear/Multi-Sport/Mens/Moab-Ventilator-Mid.aspx
that I wore hiking the Scottish Highlands for nearly 2 weeks with good results. Well ventilated, not waterproof, very comfortable. Bought on sale at REI with my dividend check, so didn't cost and arm and leg.

For hunting, bad weather and hiking in rocky territory I have a pair of Browning Gore-Tex boots. After treatment with Nikwax they are warn, waterproof, fairly breathable, comfortable, with good ankle support. Bought on sale at Cabelas. yes, I'm cheap, but watching for deals let's me buy good stuff once and it lasts forever with care and is ultimatly cheaper than buying cheap stuuf several times.

I too like the Magnum boots

One thing I will say about "Light weight" boots - MOST can't be re-soled. I was quite happy to get a year out of a pair of Magnums

I'll be so happy when I can wear them again. Right now my leg wound prevents wearing anything over ankle high

Another option that I found - Comfortable, you can get them from lightweight to heavy uppers, and design them so that they have whatever soles you like:

http://www.russellmoccasin.com/

I had a pair made - lightweight 6" leather uppers (you could go canvas if you want) put with a tripple sole, and the heaviest Vibram soles (The Montagna Sole) - so far, I've worn out 4 pairs of soles, and the uppers are fine! With my weight loss, the boots are now a tad too wide, but I wear them when my foot is wrapped in a bandage. Look at the "PH" line for a cool, lightweight, but tough boot

Only problem - Oh my, do they cost, but they custom fit them to your feet, and if they don't fit right, send them back - they will make them right

(standard disclaimer - no relationship except happy customer)

Hey Hcksaw,

I have been wearing Danners with orthotis for 5 years now and am happy with them. I am lucky though in that work buys them for me!

Mike

Oh, and I forgot to mention - despite your criteria, supposidly one of THE most comfortable boots made for everyday wear is the Adidas GSG-9s

It seems they are down to around $160 - they used to be around $300.

The supposidly wear out fast, and be re-soled, but also are said to feel like a pair of sneakers on your feet

(excuse typos - pain pill kicking in)

My boots feel like sneakers on my feet, because they are sneakers. Over the years, I have gone to lighter and lighter footwear. Typically I will backpack with running shoes or trail runners. Yes, they wear out quickly, but they don't cost very much to begin with. i do have sturdier boots for rocky mountain trails and snow situations, approach shoes for scrambling trips with incidental rock climbing, etc. I vary my foot gear to match the terrain. I never wear my outdoor boots around on pavement. That is just needless wear.

The brand I like for overall comfort, durability and versatility is Vasque. You will get various recommendations because all our feet are different, and we get a different fit with different brands. My Vasque Sundowners lasted me over a decade of fairly constant outdoor use, and they were warm enough for anything short of plastic double boot snow and ice country.

For everyday hiking, get something low cut like a sneaker, with a good sole, maybe put in good insoles, and wear low gaiters to keep the dirt and sticks out

I already have a pair of good trail shoes made by Timberland. They're not as worn as the boots but they'll be next to be replaced for sure.

There's a lot of logic behind having the right shoe/boot for the job and making the right selection. I've championed this in regards to foot wear in other posts. Unfortunately my budget can't handle a total overhaul...I'd have to piece it together gradually...which might work but isn't really the direction I was going in...I guess it will depend on what I find and how I decide to use that choice.

One of the motivations for a new pair of boots is my involvement in Search and Rescue. On a search there is almost always a ton of walking and very rarely are there trails. Terrain is something that can be different every time...and it's not always practical to load up the Jeep with shoes before I leave just in case.

Just this evening something occurred to me that also makes sense...the terrain that is the most common in search and rescue (in these parts) is the same terrain hunters can be found in...and often the folks we're looking for are lost hunters. It's also common terrain when doing some back country camping. Makes me think about hunting boots as an option instead of hiking or backpacking boots. There are a lot of similarities but they seem to be 2 completely different classes of boots. Yet another option...the last thing I need LOL.

Yes, sneakers are great. A nice pair of high tops, if the boss will let you wear them. I can't get away with it - I have to wear "shoes", so the Magnum "Low" (sneaker height) patrol shoes pass, as do, believe it or not the 8" highs, as they cant see they are up in my pants (No jeans, but I can wear cargo pants - and DO)

I'll tell you, the day of the NYC blackout (what was it, 5 years ago already?) I was sure glad I was wearing my patrol shoes, and had my pack on (On the subway).

i also wear Magnums, but generally for urban use. For outdoor use i wear Lowa boots.

Magums are reasonable light and comfortabel, i do miss hooks for the the upper laces, though. Mine magnums only has gromments for the laces, which is a lot slower than having a few hooks on angle height.

Lowa's are more flexible and more comfortable when i'm hiking, but the sole is softer and wears out more on the pavement.

Magnum has at least one model with a side zipper. Adjust the laces once, and then zip the boot on and off

You seem to have received a lot of good advice in the above replies. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the boots suggested so far. However, I just got a pair of the USMC Bates gortex 2nds from lapolicegear.com. Although they are 2nds I cannot find anything wrong with them yet. I just got them so I can't give you a full report on them. I got them for $37.00 plus shipping and at that price you can't go wrong. They are normally about $150.

I just bought a pair of Limmers, and the level of personal service is remarkable, plus the boot is one tough SOB. It will take some time to break them in, and I need to send them back for a toe width adjsutment. But they are a serious boot that I hope will last a really long time. I have not worn them for any time in hot weather yet, so can't comment on that, unfortunately.

David

Hacksaw,

I would think that SAR is mostly off pavement work. So, most any good hiker/hunter boot should suffice for 95% of your work. I would lean towards the hard Vibram-type sole. That is what works for my foot needs in an off-pavement environment. On pavement the Bates Lites were best for me. I do feel the pain!

ROTFLMAO...I had tears in my eyes. I was in Panama. That statement is so true.

Yea, but keep in mind that "hunting" gear (boots included) is generally marketed to "Joe Six Pack" who drives his 4X4 pickup into the mountains, unloads his ATV and drinks beer for a couple days and shoots something (other than a road sign) once a decade.

There are guys who hunt the areas you are describing, but they tend to use backpacking/mountaineering gear more than "hunting" gear. I'm speaking in very general terms though.

I use a pair of Limmers. I hated these boots for a long time because they were so stiff. I've now done two 40+ mile backpack trips in them and they are awesome. I think they might last forever if I take care of them. My advise would be to try on as many as you can, just because I like my Limmers does not mean you will.

I've had good luck with Vasque too. I had a pair of the old Sundowners (made in Italy, I think) and they lasted forever, and were my favorite boots ever. Since they switched production to Asia, they are not the same boot. Don't even look the same.

I tried on the SWATs and 5.11 boots at a local Mall Ninja hang out and they're very light, very comfy, and the prices aren't horrible. My only beef is that the laces actually lace all the way up...I prefer the hooks for getting the boots on and off quickly. The side zip might be the answer to that but I haven't decided yet.

I got a tip on a quality shoe repair place in town and they claim to be able to re-sole damn near anything Vibram even with full or mid sole EVA mounting. I'm going to go there tomorrow and show them my boots to see what they can do. I might end up with a 'new' boots for $60 instead of $100+

Hi Hacksaw,

Just recently got a couple of pairs of Rohan Pokhara hiking boots at an excellent price around £35 or $70. Normal retail is £85 or $170. And they are nice and comfy too and look the business.



http://www.eventfabrics.com/event_gear/gear-rohan.php

http://www.mandmdirect.com/ProductDetail...3&SH=A=Mens

Looks like they only ship within the UK though. Good luck with the boot hunt.

Hacksaw..... Re the 5.11 boots. I wear a pair of them with the side zips (cant remember model #) everyday for my EMS job. Very comfortable boot but they are wearing out quick. Only about 6 months old......just my two cents.

"...The side zip might be the answer to that but I haven't decided yet..."

Good luck. I am currently wearing a pair of side zip boots that don't zip down far enough to let me get the things off of my feet. All the zippers did was make the top of the boot bulkier...

"...army surplus Jungle boots..."

Be careful with those, if they only cost about $20 a pair, they are junk that will wear fast, and probably beat your feet to death in the process.

I have goofy feet, an extra bone in each foot that messes up my arch (what arch?), so I have to wear custom inserts. Best boots I have ever owned are Matterhorns, purchased from Brigade Quartermasters. Around $175 or so normally (with safety toe), the pair I own have been worn approx six months per year for over ten years now. The Vibram soles are finally shot, gotta have them resoled before winter I guess...

Ive had great luck with Red Wing Shoes, http://www.redwingshoe.com. Great quality and comfort.

-JRJ

I finally decided on a pair of boots...for now at least.

Marks Work Warehouse has a big sale on right now and I got a pair of mid high hikers with their Quad comfort system and the waterproof breathable membrane for $79. I wore them in the store for almost a half hour walking around and got no pressure points or hot spots or rubbing...they should feel awesome once broken in.

Plus for $69 I'm not worried about their lasting forever. I'll be keeping my current boots for urban hiking since they're fine...just no tread left. That should help these boots live a little longer.

On the subject of boots, do you guys have any recommendations for boots to use in Alaska in the backcountry. Everything from trapping in the winter to hunting and cross country skiing to backpacking. I am currently considering the Hanwag Alaska GTX and the Lundhags Polar Quest, both avaiable from Lathrop and Sons, but can be found cheaper other palces. I would love to hear reviews on these or other boots recommended for serious backcountry trekking.

Thanks

Smackdaddyj