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)